Opening

PHMSA, the federal agency that oversees safe transportation of hazardous materials, has published its March 2026 batch of special permit decisions — granting rule exceptions to companies ranging from SpaceX to General Motors, denying one, and noting three withdrawals. This is a routine regulatory notice with no connection to US immigration policy or visa status.

Key Points

  • What: PHMSA published decisions on 20 special permit applications for exemptions from federal hazardous materials transportation regulations.
  • Who: US companies transporting hazardous materials including batteries, explosives, compressed gases, and spacecraft components.
  • When: Comments on granted permits must be received by April 17, 2026.
  • Impact: Affected companies may now transport hazardous materials under conditions that differ from standard DOT regulations.

The Details

Permits Granted (16 total)

Notable approvals include:

  • SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) — authorized to transport Starship spacecraft and support equipment containing non-standard hazardous materials packaging by vessel.
  • Blue Origin — one-time transport of detonating cord, power device cartridges, and compressed gases together in the same motor vehicle.
  • General Motors — transport of empty reusable packaging used in automated loading of lithium-ion cells as regulated hazardous materials.
  • Lucid USA, Inc. and BAE Systems Controls — transport of prototype/low-production lithium-ion batteries exceeding 35 kg aboard cargo-only aircraft.
  • Alpine Aviation, Inc. — carriage of radioactive materials on cargo-only aircraft exceeding the standard 200 Transport Index limit.

Permit Denied (1)

  • United Industries Corporation — denied authorization to transport limited quantities of hazardous materials exceeding the 30 kg gross weight limit by highway or rail without the required fiberboard box.

Permits Withdrawn (3)

  • NOVONIX Battery Technology Solutions, EOS Energy Storage LLC, and Interstate Carrier Xpress, Inc. withdrew their applications before a decision was issued.

What You Should Do

This notice is not relevant to F-1 students, H-1B workers, or other visa holders. It is a routine hazardous materials regulatory update from PHMSA with no immigration implications.

If you are a company or individual affected by these hazmat permit decisions and wish to comment, submit written comments referencing the specific application number to: Record Center, PHMSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590. Comments must be received by April 17, 2026. For questions, contact Donald Burger at (202) 366-4535.