DOT transport classification

UN number by concentration

Which UN number a chemical solution ships under depends on its concentration: sulfuric acid is UN2796 at or below 51% and UN1830 above it; hydrogen peroxide is unregulated below 8%, UN2984 from 8% to 20%, and UN2014 from 20% to 60%. Per-chemical references built from 49 CFR 172.101.

10 chemical families · Source: 49 CFR 172.101

Classification changes with concentration

For these chemicals, 49 CFR 172.101 states explicit concentration cutoffs.
ChemicalCASBands
Acetic acid64-19-7
  • ≤10%Not regulated
  • >10% and <50%UN2790
  • ≥50% and ≤80%UN2790
  • >80%UN2789
Ammonia solution (ammonium hydroxide)1336-21-6
  • ≤10%Not regulated
  • >10% and ≤35%UN2672
  • >35%UN2073
Hydrogen peroxide, aqueous solution7722-84-1
  • <8%Not regulated
  • ≥8% and <20%UN2984
  • ≥20% and ≤60%UN2014
  • >60%UN2015
Nitric acid7697-37-2
  • <65%UN2031
  • ≥65% and ≤70%UN2031
  • >70%UN2031
Sulfuric acid7664-93-9
  • ≤51%UN2796
  • >51%UN1830

Classification does not change with concentration

These are the chemicals most often misclassified, because it is natural to assume a percentage decides the answer. For some it never changes; for others the packing group is set by a laboratory test criterion rather than a number in the table.

ChemicalCASWhat decides it
Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid)7647-01-0packing group per 49 CFR 173.137
Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol)67-63-0packing group per 49 CFR 173.121
Phosphoric acid solution7664-38-2One classification at all commercial strengths (UN1805, PG III)
Sodium hydroxide solution (caustic soda)1310-73-2packing group per 49 CFR 173.137
Sodium hypochlorite solution7681-52-9packing group per 49 CFR 173.137

How to read these

  • Percentages in 49 CFR 172.101 are by mass; product labels often state volume. Near a cutoff the two can disagree.
  • Each page lists the Alliance Chemical products that sit in each band. A product is listed only where its own reviewed classification matches — never inferred from the table.
  • These are references, not shipping papers. Classification for an actual shipment also depends on packaging, quantity and mode.