49 CFR § 173.424 - Excepted packages for radioactive instruments and articles.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s173.424"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 173.424 - Excepted packages for radioactive instruments and articles."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "173.424"
section_name: "Excepted packages for radioactive instruments and articles."
chapter_name: "PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS"
part_number: "173"
part_name: "SHIPPERS—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPMENTS AND PACKAGINGS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 5101-5128, 44701; 49 CFR 1.81, 1.96 and 1.97."
cfr_part: "173"
---


# 173.424 Excepted packages for radioactive instruments and articles.

A radioactive instrument or article and its packaging are excepted from requirements in this subchapter for specification packaging, labeling, marking (except for the UN identification number marking requirement described in § 173.422(a)), and if not a hazardous substance or hazardous waste, shipping papers and the requirements of this subpart if:

(a) Each package meets the general design requirements of § 173.410;

(b) The activity of the instrument or article does not exceed the relevant limit listed in Table 4 in § 173.425;

(c) The total activity per package does not exceed the relevant limit listed in Table 4 in § 173.425;

(d) The radiation level at 10 cm (4 in) from any point on the external surface of any unpackaged instrument or article does not exceed 0.1 mSv/hour (10 mrem/hour);

(e) The active material is completely enclosed by non-active components (a device performing the sole function of containing radioactive material shall not be considered to be an instrument or manufactured article);

(f) The radiation level at any point on the external surface of a package bearing the article or instrument does not exceed 0.005 mSv/hour (0.5 mrem/hour), or, for exclusive use domestic shipments, 0.02 mSv/hour (2 mrem/hour);

(g) The nonfixed (removable) radioactive surface contamination on the external surface of the package does not exceed the limits specified in § 173.443(a);

(h) Except as provided in § 173.426, the package does not contain more than 15 g of uranium-235; and

(i) The package is otherwise prepared for shipment as specified in § 173.422.

[69 FR 3675, Jan. 26, 2004]