US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

49 U.S.C. § 5104

Representation and tampering

(a)

Representation .—

A person may represent, by marking or otherwise, that—
(1)
a package, component of a package, or packaging for transporting hazardous material is safe, certified, or complies with this chapter only if the package, component of a package, or packaging meets the requirements of each applicable regulation prescribed under this chapter; or
(2)
hazardous material is present in a package, container, motor vehicle, rail freight car, aircraft, or vessel only if the material is present.
(b)

Tampering .—

No person may alter, remove, destroy, or otherwise tamper unlawfully with—
(1)
a marking, label, placard, or description on a document required under this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter; or
(2)
a package, component of a package, or packaging, container, motor vehicle, rail freight car, aircraft, or vessel used to transport hazardous material.

Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(d)108 Stat. 761Pub. L. 103–311, title I, § 117(b)108 Stat. 1678Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(4)108 Stat. 4378Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, § 7106119 Stat. 1897(, , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Pub. L. 103–272

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

5104(a)

49 App.:1804(e).

Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, § 105(e), (f); added Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, § 5, 104 Stat. 3252.

5104(b)

49 App.:1804(f).

In subsection (a)(1), the words “the requirements of” and “applicable” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the word “deface” is omitted as surplus.

Pub. L. 103–429

section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994Public Law 103–272108 Stat. 761This amends 49:5104(a)(1) to clarify the restatement of 49 App.:1804(e)(1) by (, ).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 109–59, § 7106(a)2005—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “a package, component of a package, or packaging for” for “a container, package, or packaging (or a component of a container, package, or packaging) for” and “the package, component of a package, or packaging meets” for “the container, package, or packaging (or a component of a container, package, or packaging) meets”.

Pub. L. 109–59, § 7106(b)(1)Subsec. (b). , substituted “No person may” for “A person may not” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 109–59, § 7106(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(2). , inserted “component of a package, or packaging,” after “package,”.

Pub. L. 103–4291994—Subsec. (a)(1). inserted “applicable” after “each”.

Pub. L. 103–311 substituted “, package, or packaging (or a component of a container, package, or packaging)” for “or package” in two places.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–429section 9 of Pub. L. 103–429section 321 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .