What 173.301(b) means in plain language
173.301(b) is a hazardous materials regulation focused on how hazmat cargo must be packaged and prepared for transport. The rule sets standards for the integrity and condition of packaging used to contain hazardous materials during shipment. If your citation references this code, it means an inspector found a packaging defect or failure to maintain proper packaging standards during a roadside inspection.
This is distinct from placard violations or loading/unloading defects—173.301(b) is about the package itself before it ever leaves the facility. The regulation applies to any driver or carrier transporting hazmat in packages that don't meet federal standards for protection, containment, and safety during normal transport conditions.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million inspection records, 173.301(b) appears in only 5 citations all-time, with zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. This code ranks #2406 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—making it one of the least-cited regulations in the hazardous materials category.
None of the 5 drivers cited under 173.301(b) were placed out of service, yielding a 0.0% out-of-service rate. For context, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%, so this citation is far less likely to result in immediate removal from service compared to the typical FMCSR violation. The rarity of enforcement and the absence of OOS placements suggest this code is either not heavily audited at the roadside, or carriers and drivers are already in substantial compliance.
Who gets cited most
Our data does not include a state distribution breakdown for 173.301(b), given the extremely limited citation count. The 5 all-time citations are distributed across carriers such as American Compressed Gases Inc, Georgia Power Company, Boling Concrete Construction Inc, Chili Gas Inc, and Gas Plus—each with a single citation. Vehicle makes cited include Freightliner, GMC, Great Dane, Hino, Peterbilt, and Volvo, indicating no particular pattern of vulnerability by equipment type.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Other hazmat packaging and placarding codes in the same category show far higher enforcement volume. 177.834A (general loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% out-of-service rate, and 177.834(a) has 3,839 citations at 97.9% OOS rate—both dramatically more common and more likely to trigger removal from service. 172.502(a)(1) (placarding general requirements) has 1,820 citations at an 18.5% OOS rate. By contrast, 173.301(b)'s 5 citations and 0.0% OOS rate position it as a low-enforcement, low-consequence violation in the hazmat compliance landscape.
How to avoid it
Before you accept a load:
- Inspect the outer packaging of all hazmat containers visually. Look for dents, cracks, leaks, corrosion, or any visible deterioration that would compromise containment during transport.
- Confirm that all hazmat packages have the required packaging certification marks or labels applied by the shipper—do not accept unmarked or improperly labeled packages.
- Verify that the packaging type matches the hazard class of the material. Request the shipping papers and cross-check packaging against the commodity description.
During your pre-trip inspection:
- Walk the load and physically touch or visually confirm the condition of each container. A dent or leak discovered before you depart prevents a roadside citation and potential cargo loss.
- Check that packaging has not shifted, been compressed, or lost integrity due to improper stacking or securing during loading.
- Ensure no packaging is leaking, sweating, or showing signs of chemical breakdown. Report any damage to the shipper or your dispatcher immediately.
If you spot a packaging defect:
- Do not accept the load. Notify your dispatcher and the shipper in writing.
- Request re-packaging or a replacement shipment. This is not a delay on your part—it is hazmat compliance.
- Document the defect with photos if possible, and keep records for your safety file.