Shipping papers: Cargo tanks and tanks cars containing the residue
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration · Oct 31, 2007 · Reference No. 07-0185
Interprets: 49 CFR § 172.203
Reggie’s quick take
Someone asked whether an empty cargo tank or tank car holding the residue of a hazardous material must have "Residue Last Contained" on its shipping paper. For a cargo tank, the phrase is optional. It may be used with the basic description of the material the tank last held (§ 172.203(e)(1)). For a tank car, the phrase is required and must appear before the basic description (§ 172.203(e)(2)).
Written by AI (Claude) on Oct 22, 2026. Robots make mistakes and leave things out, so the letter below is what counts. Not legal advice.
This responds to your letter regarding the entry of additional information on a shipping paper for cargo tanks and tanks cars containing the residue of a hazardous material, in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask whether the shipping paper for an empty cargo tank or tank car that contains the residue of a hazardous material must be annotated with the words "Residue Last Contained".
The description on the shipping paper for a packaging, such as a cargo tank, containing the residue of a hazardous material but is not required to, include the phrase, "RESIDUE: Last Contained * * *" in association with the basic description of the hazardous material previously contained in the packaging (See § l72.203(e)(1)). However, the shipping paper description for a tank car containing the residue of a hazardous material must include the phrase, "RESIDUE: LAST CONTAINED * * *" before the basic description (§172.203(e)(2)).
A letter of interpretation applies the regulations to the facts the requester described. It isn’t a regulation and isn’t legal advice. The agency’s copy.