If you see an X in the HM column for a shipment entry, what can you conclude?

• A. It is a hazardous material
• B. It is a nonhazardous material
• C. It is a consumer commodity
• D. It is banned

Answer: (A)

An X in the HM column flags that the shipment is a hazardous material. That column is specifically used to identify hazmat items, so the presence of X indicates hazmat status and triggers the need to follow all hazmat rules—proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, packing group, plus required labeling, placarding, and the driver’s hazmat endorsement. It isn’t a signal that the material is banned, and while some consumer commodities can be hazmat, the key point is that the X marks hazardous material.