Battery Air Shipping

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in association with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the United Nations (UN) set clearly defined rules regarding the air transportation of Li-Ion batteries.

The current edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations requires the testing of each type of Li-Ion battery, not just the individual cells, to ensure that the design and construction are compliant with the stringent UN regulations. Restrictions are also imposed on Li-Ion batteries that have capacities greater than 100 Watt-hours.

Testing by an authorised independent facility is a costly process for the manufacturer, but it should assure you that the battery design is compliant with the air transport regulations, as well as safe and of the highest possible professional standard.

Transport as Freight by Air, Road and Sea

    1. Li-Ion batteries when shipped by air, road or sea are classified as dangerous goods and subject to special packaging certification and approval from external specialists.

    2. Air cargo shipments of Li-Ion batteries are prohibited from passenger aircraft, as of 1st April 2016.

    3. Air transport authority training and authorisation are required for packing any more than 2 Li-Ion batteries, that have capacities of 100Wh or less, for an air cargo shipment.

    4. A company audit and authorisation are required by couriers such as DHL, Fedex, TNT and UPS before they will accept your air cargo shipment of Li-Ion batteries.

    5. Li-Ion batteries for air cargo must have a state-of-charge of no more than 30% for shipping.

    6. Li-Ion batteries that have capacities of 100Wh or less, in shipments that exceed 10kg, require UN tested packaging.

    7. All shipments of Li-Ion batteries that have capacities greater than 100Wh require UN tested packaging.

    8. Transportation of Li-Ion batteries by road freight is subject to a limit of 333kg per lorry.

For more information about shipping Li-Ion batteries visit the IATA website:

http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Pages/lithium-batteries.aspx

The following (2) classification flowcharts are intended to provide guidance on the classification for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries.

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