What 173.301(g) means in plain language
173.301(g) addresses requirements for hazardous materials packaging and containment. This regulation sets standards for how hazmat must be contained to prevent release during transport, ensuring that packaging, closures, and interior fittings are designed and maintained to prevent loss or leakage of the hazmat contents under normal conditions of transport.
For drivers, this means your hazmat load must be in proper, secure packaging before you ever leave the yard. The containers, caps, valves, and any safety devices must be intact and functional. If you're transporting hazardous materials, you're responsible for verifying that the shipper has packaged it correctly and that nothing has been compromised during loading or your pre-trip inspection.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million roadside inspection records, 173.301(g) has been cited only 1 time all-time, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. That single citation did not result in an out-of-service order, giving this code a 0.0% out-of-service rate.
For context, the average out-of-service rate across all FMCSR codes is 31.4%. This code ranks #2796 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, meaning it is extremely rarely cited at roadside. The rarity of enforcement doesn't mean the rule doesn't matter—it likely reflects that most hazmat shippers and carriers comply with packaging standards before shipments leave their facilities, so inspectors rarely encounter violations in the field.
Who gets cited most
Our data shows only one carrier with a recorded citation under this code: Fahrner Asphalt Sealers LLC (USDOT 1608048) with 1 citation. Because enforcement volume is so low nationally, state-level or carrier-level patterns are not meaningful for prevention planning. If you drive for a hazmat carrier, focus on your company's own packaging verification procedures rather than industry-wide trends.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
This code sits in the Hazardous Materials category alongside several related violations that are cited far more frequently:
- 177.834A-HMC (General loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% out-of-service rate—by far the most serious hazmat violation in the dataset.
- 177.834(a) (General loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,839 citations with a 97.9% out-of-service rate.
- 172.502(a)(1) (Placarding general requirements) has 1,820 citations with an 18.5% out-of-service rate.
The fact that 173.301(g) appears almost never in our inspection database, while loading/unloading violations dominate hazmat enforcement, suggests that inspectors focus their attention on how hazmat is handled at the dock and during transport, not on the original packaging specification itself.
How to avoid it
Because packaging compliance is primarily a shipper and carrier pre-transport responsibility, your role as a driver is to verify and protect the integrity of what you're hauling:
- Inspect all hazmat containers during pre-trip: Look for dents, cracks, leaks, or damaged closures. Report any damage to your dispatcher immediately and refuse to haul it until it's repacked or repaired.
- Verify placards and labels match the bill of lading: Correct placarding depends on correct packaging. If the labels don't match the manifest, stop and clarify with your carrier before moving.
- Secure all containers against movement: Shifting cargo can stress packaging and cause leaks. Use dunnage and straps to prevent containers from rolling or striking each other.
- Keep hazmat separate from other freight: Never stack non-hazmat cargo on top of or against hazmat containers. Pressure and friction can compromise packaging integrity.
- Document container condition: Take photos of sealed, labeled containers before you leave the yard. If you're ever questioned about package condition, you have proof of the state it was in when you accepted it.
- Know your carrier's shipper verification process: Before every load, confirm that your company has verified the shipper's packaging meets DOT standards. If your carrier doesn't have a formal process, raise it with safety—that's a systemic risk.
Your hazmat safety starts before you get behind the wheel. A packaging failure en route is a catastrophic liability and safety event. Spend the time at the dock to get it right.