Aircraft fuel nozzles classification

This responds to your May 19, 2008 letter requesting clarification of the proper shipping name for aircraft fuel nozzles under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask if nozzles that are removed and sent back to the manufacturer for servicing should be shipped as "Dangerous Goods in Apparatus" or non-hazardous. Your letter indicates that all fuel residue is removed from the nozzles using pressurized air.

Generally, items classified as "Dangerous Goods in Apparatus" (e.g., fuel pumps and injectors, engines, parts, etc.) contain the residue of a hazardous material. If the aircraft fuel nozzles you describe have been completely drained, sufficiently cleaned of residue, and purged of vapors to remove any potential hazard then they are no longer considered hazardous materials. As such, they are not subject to the HMR and may be shipped as non-hazardous (§ 173.22). You should note, however, as the shipper it is your responsibility to properly class the nozzles for transportation; this office cannot make that determination for you.