DOT Approves Wave of Hazmat Special Permits for Major Industry Players

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, published its latest batch of special permit decisions on January 16, 2026. Nearly 20 applications were granted, allowing companies ranging from Amazon to Blue Origin to operate outside standard hazardous materials (hazmat) regulations under controlled conditions. Five applications were withdrawn before a ruling was issued, and none were formally denied.

Key Points

  • What: PHMSA granted special permits allowing companies to deviate from federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) for specific transport scenarios.
  • Who: Major companies including Amazon, Boeing, Blue Origin, Zipline, Atlas Air, and others in aerospace, logistics, and packaging.
  • When: Permits issued as of January 9, 2026; public comments accepted through February 17, 2026.
  • Impact: These permits expand how hazardous materials — including lithium batteries, explosives, and pressurized cylinders — can be transported by air, rail, and drone.

What Got Approved

Several notable permits stood out in this batch:

  • Amazon (3 permits): Amazon received approval to use electronic shipping papers instead of physical documents, add fire suppressant devices to existing permits, and transport certain hazardous materials to final delivery destinations without full HMR compliance.
  • Zipline International: Granted permission to transport hazardous materials — including lithium batteries and medical items — via unmanned aircraft systems (drones) under conditions exempt from standard HMR rules.
  • Blue Origin: Authorized to transport filled non-DOT specification cylinders without pressure relief devices when contained inside the New Glenn launch vehicle.
  • Atlas Air: Permitted to carry Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 explosives aboard cargo-only aircraft in quantities that normally exceed or are forbidden under standard rules.
  • Anduril Industries: Allowed to fly lithium-ion batteries exceeding 35 kg net weight on cargo-only aircraft, provided the batteries have completed all required U.N. tests.
  • Boeing: Modified its existing permit to remove the requirement that airplane seating assemblies be wrapped in plastic during transport.
  • DGM Sverige AB: Permitted to transport low-production lithium batteries contained in spacecraft equipment.
  • NASA: Authorized to expand the types of hazardous materials covered under its existing special permit.

What Was Withdrawn

Five applications were withdrawn before a final ruling:

  • Tampa Cargo S.A. and the Small Business Administration both withdrew requests to transport oversized lithium batteries by cargo aircraft.
  • James Supplies, LLC withdrew a request to manufacture and use DOT MC 338 cargo tanks for refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide.
  • OrthoRPM, Inc. pulled its application to import a medical rehabilitation device with a lithium-ion battery.
  • Northwest Energetic Services LLC withdrew a request involving Division 1.5 explosives in portable tanks.

Why This Matters

Special permits are how companies legally push the boundaries of standard hazmat rules — often to accommodate new technologies (like drones and electric aircraft) or operational efficiencies (like digital paperwork). PHMSA reviews each application individually to ensure safety is maintained.

None of these permits affect general public compliance requirements — they apply only to the named companies under the specific conditions described.

What You Should Do

This notice does not affect individual visa holders, students, or workers. If you represent a company with a stake in hazmat transport regulations, you may submit comments on any of these permits by February 17, 2026. Send written comments (in triplicate) to: Record Center, PHMSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590. For questions, contact Donald Burger at (202) 366-4535.