PHMSA Finalizes Electronic Payment Rule for Hazardous Materials Registration Fees

August 5, 2026

PHMSA electronic payment rule — A hazardous materials transport vehicle. A new PHMSA rule requires regulated businesses to pay hazardous materials registration fees electronically through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s online payment system beginning Sept. 3, 2026, replacing paper check payments. Heidi Besen/Shutterstock

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a final rule updating payment procedures related to its hazardous materials program. The rule, titled “Hazardous Materials: Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” was published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2026, and is set to take effect on September 3, 2026.

PHMSA Finalizes New Payment Procedures

The rule amends regulations found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107, which governs hazardous materials program procedures. The rulemaking was initiated with a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on July 1, 2025, giving the public an opportunity to comment before the agency finalized the changes.

According to the official announcement, the action falls under Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0096 and covers four pages in the Federal Register. Beyond the title’s reference to modernizing payment processes to and from what the agency describes as “America’s Bank Account,” the published Federal Register entry does not provide additional detail in the publicly available summary text about the specific payment methods being changed or which regulated parties are directly affected.

What Businesses Should Do Before the Deadline

PHMSA oversees the safe transportation of hazardous materials by highway, rail, air, and water, and administers a range of fees and program procedures affecting shippers, carriers, and others who handle regulated substances. Changes to payment procedures under Part 107 could affect businesses and individuals who interact with the agency’s hazardous materials permitting and fee payment systems, though the specific scope of affected parties is outlined in the full rule text.

Readers who may be subject to PHMSA’s hazardous materials regulations are encouraged to review the full official rule text on the Government Publishing Office’s govinfo.gov or contact PHMSA directly to determine how this change may apply to their specific situation.