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Historical textIn force on Oct. 1, 2003Source: annual CFR editions 2003–2005

§ 393.102 What are the minimum performance criteria for cargo securement devices and systems?

Wording in the annual edition revised as of Oct. 1, 2003, superseded by the 2006 annual edition.

govinfo, 2003 edition ↗
Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 2003 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 2003 and Oct. 1, 2003 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.
What changedOct. 1, 1996 wording → Oct. 1, 2003 wording+142 added−1255 removedHide

(a) ApplicationPerformance and scope of the rules in this sectioncriteria. TheCargo rules in this section apply to tiedown assemblies (including chains, cables, steel straps, and fiber webbing), other securement devices, and attachmentsystems or fastening devices used in conjunction therewith, which are used to secure cargo to motor vehicles in transit. All devices which are used to secure cargo to a motor vehicle in transit under the rules in this subpart must conformbe tocapable the requirements of thiswithstanding section.
(b) Tiedown assemblies. Except for integral securement devices of containers designed for the transportationfollowing ofthree containerizedforces, intermodalapplied cargo which conform to the rules in § 393.100separately:
(e1), the0.8 aggregateg workingdeceleration load limit of the tiedown assemblies used to secure an article against movement in any direction must be at least 1/2 times the weightforward of the article. With the exception of marking identification, tiedowns used must meet applicable manufacturing standards listed in this paragraph (b).direction;
(12) Steel strapping0.5 Steelg strappingacceleration usedin as a component of a tiedown assembly must conform to the requirementsrearward ofdirection; the 1991 edition of the American Society for Testing and Materials’ Standard Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals, ASTM D3953-91. Steel strapping which is not marked by the manufacturer with a working load limit, shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to 1/4 of the breaking strength listed in ASTM D3953-91.
(See § 393.7(b3) for information on the incorporation by reference and availability of this document0.)5 Steelg strappingacceleration that is one inch wide or wider must have at least two pairs of crimps in eacha seallateral and when an end-over-end lap joint is formed, it must be sealed with at least two sealsdirection.
(2b) Chain.Performance Chaincriteria usedfor asdevices a component of a tiedown assembly must conform to theprevent requirementsvertical movement of theloads Junethat 15,are 1990,not editioncontained ofwithin the Nationalstructure Association of Chain Manufacturers’ Welded Steel Chain Specifications applicable to all types of chain. (See § 393.7(b) for information on the incorporation by reference and availability of this documentvehicle.)
(3) Webbing.Securement Webbingsystems usedmust asprovide a componentdownward offorce aequivalent tiedown assembly must conform to theat requirementsleast of20 thepercent 1991 edition of the Webweight Sling and Tiedown Association's Recommended Standard Specification for Synthetic Webbing Tiedowns. (See § 393.7(b) for information on the incorporation by reference and availability of this document.)
(4) Wire rope. Wire rope used as a component of a tiedown assembly must conform to the requirementsarticle of thecargo Novemberif 1985 second edition of the Wirearticle Rope Technical Board's Wire Rope Users Manual. Wire rope which is not markedfully bycontained within the manufacturerstructure with a working load limit, shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to 1/4 of the nominalvehicle. strengthIf listed in the Wirearticle Ropeis Usersfully Manual.contained (Seewithin § 393.7(b) for information on the incorporationstructure by reference and availability of this document.)
(5) Cordage. Cordage used as a component of a tiedown assembly, must conform to the applicable Cordage Institute rope standards listed below: PETRS-2vehicle, Polyesterit Fibermay Rope,be 3-Strandsecured andin 8-Strandaccordance Constructions,with January, 1993; PPRS-2, Polypropylene Fiber Rope, 3-Strand and 8-Strand Constructions, August, 1992; CRS-1, Polyester/Polypropylene Composite Rope Specifications, Three- and Eight-Strand Standard Construction, May 1979; NRS-1, Nylon Rope Specifications, Three- and Eight-Strand Standard Construction, May 1979; C1, Double Braided Nylon Rope Specifications, DBN-January 1984. (See § 393.7106(b) for information on the incorporation by reference and availability of these documents.)
(6c) TablesProhibition ofon exceeding working load limits. TheCargo workingsecurement loaddevices limitsand listedsystems inmust the tables in this paragraph are to be useddesigned, when the tiedown material is not marked by the manufacturer with the working load limit. Tiedown materialswhich are markedby the manufacturer with working load limits which differ from the tableinstalled, shalland bemaintained considered to haveensure athat workingthe loadmaximum limitforces equalacting toon the valuedevices foror whichsystems theydo are marked. Synthetic cordage (e.g., nylon, polypropylene, polyester) which is not markedexceed orthe labeled to enable identification of its composition or working load limit shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to that for polypropylenethe fiberdevices rope.
Tablesunder tothe §conditions 393.102(b)(6)—Workinglisted Load Limits (WLL)
Size inch (mm) Grade 3 proof coil Grade 4 high test Grade 7 transport
Grade 8 alloy
1/4 (7) 1300 (590) 2600 (1180) 3150 (1430) 3500 (1590)
5/16 (8) 1900 (860) 3900 (1770) 4700 (2130) 5100 (2310)
3/8 (10) 2650 (1200) 5400 (2450) 6600 (2990) 7100 (3220)
7/16 (11) 3500 (1590) 5800 (2630) 8750 (3970)
1/2 (13) 4500 (2040) 9200 (4170) 11300 (5130) 12000 (5440)
5/8 (16) 6900 (3130) 11500 (5220) 15800 (7170) 18100 (8210)
Chain Mark PC HT T
Examples 3 4 7 8
30 40 70 80
[Chain WLL in poundsparagraphs (kga)]
Synthetic Webbing WLL
Width inch (mm) WLL pounds (kg)
1-3/4 (45) 1750 (790)
2 (50) 2000 (910)
3 (75) 3000 (1360)
4 (100) 4000 (1810)
Wire Rope (6 X 37, Fiber Core) WLL
Diameter inch (mm) WLL pounds (kg)
1/4 (7) 1400 (640)
5/16 (8) 2100 (950)
3/8 (10) 3000 (1360)
7/16 (11) 4100 (1860)
1/2 (13) 5300 (2400)
5/8 (16) 8300 (3770)
3/4 (20) 10900 (4940)
7/8 (22) 16100 (7300)
1 (25) 20900 (9480)
Manila Rope WLL
Diameter inch (mm) WLL pounds (kg)
3/8 (10) 205 (90)
7/16 (11) 265 (120)
1/2 (13) 315 (150)
5/8 (16) 465 (210)
3/4 (20) 640 (290)
1 (25) 1050 (480)
Polypropylene Fiber Rope WLL (3-Strand and 8-Strand Constructions)
Diameter inch (mm) WLL pounds (kg)
3/8 (10) 400 (180)
7/16 (11) 525 (240)
1/2 (13) 625 (280)
5/8 (16) 925 (420)
3/4 (20) 1275 (580)
1 (25) 2100 (950)
Polyester Fiber Rope WLL (3-Strand and 8-Strand Constructions)
Diameter inch (mm) WLL pounds (kg)
3/8 (10) 555 (250)
7/16 (11) 750 (340)
1/2 (13) 960 (440)
5/8 (16) 1500 (680)
3/4 (20) 1880 (850)
1 (25) 3300 (1500)
Nylon Rope WLL
Diameter inch (mm) WLL pounds (kg)
3/8 (10) 278 (130)
7/16 (11) 410 (190)
1/2 (13) 525 (240)
5/8 (16) 935 (420)
3/4 (20) 1420 (640)
1 (25) 2520 (1140)
Double Braided Nylon Rope WLL
Diameter inch (mm) WLL pounds (kg)
3/8 (10) 336 (150)
7/16 (11) 502 (230)
1/2 (13) 655 (300)
5/8 (16) 1130 (510)
3/4 (20) 1840 (830)
1 (25) 3250 (1470)
Steel Strapping WLL
Width − thickness inch WLL pounds (kg)
1-1/4 × 0.029 1190 (540)
1-1/4 × 0.031 1190 (540)
1-1/4 × 0.035 1190 (540)
1-1/4 × 0.044 1690 (770)
1-1/4 × 0.050 1690 (770)
1-1/4 × 0.057 1925 (870)
2 × 0.044 2650 (1200)
2 × 0.050 2650 (1200)
(c) Load binders and hardware. The strength of load binders and hardware that are part of, or used in conjunction with, a tiedown assembly must be equal to, or greater than the minimum strength specified for that tiedown assembly in paragraph (b) of this section.
(d) AttachmentEquivalent to the vehicle. The hook, bolt, weld, or other connector by which a tiedown assembly is attached to a vehicle, and the mounting place and means of mountingsecurement. theCargo connector, must be at least as strong as the tiedown assembly when that connector is loadedimmobilized, in any direction in which the tiedown assembly may load it.
(e) Winches or othersecured fastenings. The anchorages of a winch or other fastening device mounted on a vehicle and used in conjunctionaccordance with a tiedown assembly must have a combined tensile strength equal to, or greater than, the strengthapplicable requirements of the§§ tiedown assembly393.
(f)104 Adjustability.through A tiedown assembly and its associated connectors and attachment devices must be designed, constructed, and maintained so that the driver of an in-transit vehicle can tighten them393. However136, theis rulesconsidered inas thismeeting paragraph do not apply to a securement system in which the tiedownperformance assemblycriteria consists of steel strapping or to a tiedown assembly which is not required by the rules in this section.
(49 U.S.C. 304, 1655; 49 CFR 1.48(b) and 301.60)
[38 FR 23522, Aug. 31, 1973, as amended at 47 FR 47837, Oct. 28, 1982; 59 FR 34718, July 6, 1994; 59 FR 43898, Aug. 25, 1994]

49 CFR § 393.102 — What are the minimum performance criteria for cargo securement devices and systems?. Text in force on October 1, 2003. This wording effective October 1, 2003 to October 1, 2006. Source: govinfo, 2003 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2003-title49-vol4/CFR-2003-title49-vol4-sec393-102. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/393.102?asof=2003-10-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

(a) Performance criteria. Cargo securement devices and systems must be capable of withstanding the following three forces, applied separately:

(1) 0.8 g deceleration in the forward direction;

(2) 0.5 g acceleration in the rearward direction; and

(3) 0.5 g acceleration in a lateral direction.

(b) Performance criteria for devices to prevent vertical movement of loads that are not contained within the structure of the vehicle. Securement systems must provide a downward force equivalent to at least 20 percent of the weight of the article of cargo if the article is not fully contained within the structure of the vehicle. If the article is fully contained within the structure of the vehicle, it may be secured in accordance with § 393.106(b).

(c) Prohibition on exceeding working load limits. Cargo securement devices and systems must be designed, installed, and maintained to ensure that the maximum forces acting on the devices or systems do not exceed the working load limit for the devices under the conditions listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(d) Equivalent means of securement. Cargo that is immobilized, or secured in accordance with the applicable requirements of §§ 393.104 through 393.136, is considered as meeting the performance criteria of this section.

Amendment history

7 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996
  1. Nov. 18, 2024 → presenteCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [71 FR 35832, June 22, 2006, as amended at 78 FR 58484, Sept. 24, 2013]
  2. Oct. 1, 2013 → Nov. 18, 2024annual editions 2013–2016diff vs. previous
    [71 FR 35832, June 22, 2006, as amended at 78 FR 58484, Sept. 24, 2013]
  3. Oct. 1, 2010 → Oct. 1, 2013annual editions 2010–2012diff vs. previous
    [71 FR 35832, June 22, 2006]
  4. Oct. 1, 2009 → Oct. 1, 2010annual edition 2009diff vs. previous
    [71 FR 35832, June 22, 2006]
  5. Oct. 1, 2006 → Oct. 1, 2009annual editions 2006–2008diff vs. previous
    [71 FR 35832, June 22, 2006]
  6. Oct. 1, 2003 → Oct. 1, 2006annual editions 2003–2005diff vs. previousviewing
  7. Oct. 1, 1996 → Oct. 1, 2003annual editions 1996–2002
    [38 FR 23522, Aug. 31, 1973, as amended at 47 FR 47837, Oct. 28, 1982; 59 FR 34718, July 6, 1994; 59 FR 43898, Aug. 25, 1994]

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.