Portable Fuel Container
There are two separate sets of requirements that may apply to portable fuel containers, depending on whether the container is sold filled or empty.
The Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act (CGBPA), as amended by the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2020 (PFCSA), requires portable containers of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel with a maximum capacity of 8.45 gallons (32 L) to comply with the child-resistant and adult-friendly packaging requirements of ASTM F2517. The requirements are codified at 16 CFR part 1460, and 16 CFR § 1460.3 identifies the latest Commission accepted version of ASTM F2517 that is mandatory.
In addition to the requirements of the CGBPA, the PFCSA requires portable fuel containers to have a flame mitigation device that impedes the propagation of flame into the container. A “liquid fuel” is a fuel with a flash point less than 140 °F, which includes gasoline, kerosene, diesel, ethanol, methanol, denatured alcohol, or biofuels. The Commission determined that three existing voluntary standards meet the intent of PFSCA:
- Portable fuel containers sold pre-filled must comply with ASTM F3429-F3429M-24
- Portable fuel containers sold empty (such as gasoline containers) must comply with ASTM F3326-21
- Safety cans (a specific type of empty container) may comply with UL 30:2022 instead of ASTM F3326-21
In addition, certain liquid fuels listed under 16 CFR § 1700.14(a) must utilize special packaging per the PPPA; for more information, visit our PPPA business guidance page and related FAQs.
Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed for free at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room. Read-only copies of UL standards are available at UL’s Standards Sale Site by clicking “Browse and Buy Standards,” searching for UL 30, clicking “Digital View,” and signing in.
For more information, visit our Portable Fuel Container Business Guidance Page.
A liquid fuel is a fuel with a flash point less than 140 °F, which includes gasoline, kerosene, diesel, ethanol, methanol, denatured alcohol, or biofuels.
Manufacturers and importers of portable containers intended to be filled by retail vendors with gasoline, kerosene, or other petroleum distillates should review 16 CFR §§ 1500.83(a)(14) and 1500.14(b)(3) concerning labeling requirements.
Domestic manufacturers and importers of portable fuel containers subject to a mandatory requirement must issue a General Certificate of Compliance (GCC). The citation for portable gasoline containers is: "16 CFR part 1460 – Portable gasoline container (special packaging)". The citation for flame mitigation devices in portable fuel containers is "16 CFR part 1461 – Portable fuel container (flame mitigation device)". For more information on certificates, visit our GCC business guidance page.