Low ImpactNotice/Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

PHMSA Grants 17 Hazardous Materials Special Permits, Including for Amazon and Blue Origin

January 16, 2026

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has granted 17 special permits allowing companies to transport hazardous materials under conditions that differ from standard regulations. Notable approvals include permits for Amazon's electronic shipping papers, Zipline's drone deliveries, and Blue Origin's rocket launch vehicle. This notice has no direct impact on F-1 students or H-1B workers.

Overview

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, published a routine notice on January 16, 2026, listing actions taken on special permit applications under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). A special permit allows a company to transport hazardous materials in a way that differs from the standard rules — essentially a regulatory exception granted on a case-by-case basis.

This notice is not related to immigration policy and has no direct effect on F-1 students, H-1B workers, OPT participants, or any other visa category.

What Was Approved

PHMSA granted 17 special permits to a range of companies and organizations. Key approvals include:

Amazon.com (multiple permits): Authorized to use electronic shipping papers instead of physical paper documents, and to transport certain hazardous materials to final delivery destinations under relaxed HMR requirements.
Zipline International: Authorized to transport certain hazardous materials via unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to final delivery destinations.
Blue Origin: Authorized to transport filled non-DOT specification cylinders without pressure relief devices when contained in the New Glenn launch vehicle.
Anduril Industries: Authorized to transport large lithium-ion batteries (over 35 kg) that have passed UN tests aboard cargo-only aircraft.
Beta Technologies: Authorized to transport lithium batteries exceeding 35 kg by cargo-only aircraft.
NASA: Permit modified to authorize additional hazardous materials.
Atlas Air: Authorized to transport certain Division 1.1–1.4 explosives aboard cargo-only aircraft that are otherwise forbidden or exceed standard quantity limits.
GATX Corporation: Permit modified to allow new tank car owners to operate under an existing special permit until the next scheduled qualification date.

What Was Withdrawn

Five permit applications were withdrawn by the applicants before a decision was made:

Tampa Cargo S.A. and Small Business Administration: Both had sought to transport lithium batteries over 35 kg by cargo-only aircraft.
James Supplies, LLC: Sought to manufacture and use DOT MC 338 cargo tanks for refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide transport.
OrthoRPM, Inc.: Sought to import a medical rehabilitation product with a lithium-ion battery into the United States.
Northwest Energetic Services LLC: Sought to transport certain explosives and oxidizers in portable tanks.

No Denials

The notice lists no outright denials during this period.

Comment Period

Members of the public may submit comments on the actions listed in this notice. Comments must be received on or before February 17, 2026, and should be sent to the Record Center, PHMSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590. Reference the specific application number when submitting comments.

Bottom Line for Visa Pulse Readers

This notice is a routine regulatory update in the hazardous materials transportation sector. It does not affect immigration status, visa processing, employment authorization, or any other immigration-related matter. No action is needed by F-1 students, H-1B workers, or their employers.

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