Lithium Battery Air shipping

How to ship Lithium Batteries by air?

Lithium batteries may be shipped by air when all the applicable regulatory requirements are met. This includes making certain that: 

• The cell and battery types have passed the applicable UN tests
• All terminals are protected against short circuits
• Packaging limits are met
• Appropriate inner and outer packaging is used
• packages bear the required marks and labels
• The required documentation is completed

What shippers should know about shipping Lithium Batteries by air?

Shipping counterfeit or substandard lithium batteries is not acceptable. To assist shippers of lithium batteries, including equipment with installed lithium batteries, a requirement came into force with effect January 1, 2019 that manufacturers and subsequent distributors of lithium cells and batteries must make available a test summary that provides evidence that the  cell or battery type has met the requirements of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3. 

IATA Director General Willie Walsh says, “We all know how dangerous these batteries can be-they ignite-and clearly ensuring we can transport these devices safely on board is a primary focus for IATA.” 

It is important that as a shipper, you take the necessary precautions and strictly follow the regulations when preparing your lithium battery shipments to ensure the safety of the aircraft and all on board. Lithium battery shipments should always be packaged to meet all safety regulations to avoid any possible damage or fines. 

State and operator variations

States and operators (airlines) may advise of more restrictive requirements to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. These requirements are published in the DGR and the Lithium battery Shipping Regulations as State and operator variations. These variations may limit the carriage of lithium batteries. You should contact the airline prior to offering the lithium battery shipment for transport to make certain all requirements are being met prior to transport.  

Identification

When shipping dangerous goods, they must be identified by the applicable UN or ID number, proper shipping name, class or division, and packing group (if applicable). The UN number is a 4-digit number assigned by the UN to substances and articles and is denoted by the prefix UN. The following (2) classification flowcharts are intended to provide guidance on the classification for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries.

How to package Lithium Batteries for shipping by air

Depending on the Watt-hour rating for lithium ion cells or batteries or the lithium metal content for lithium mettal cells or batteries, the packaging required may need to be UN specification or may be simply strong, rigid packaging that is strong enough to withstand the shocks, mechanical handling, and loading encountered in transport. Shippers are also required to take into account other dangerous goods that may be shipped with lithium batteries to ensure that there is no incompatibility. Such as not packing lithium batteries with flammable liquids in the same package or overpack.  

It is essential to follow the net quantity limits when shipping lithium batteries. A table in the Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations manual gives the precise weight of batteries per package on both cargo and passenger aircraft. All marks and labels must be clearly visible on the exterior of all packages and overpacks. 

Marking and labeling

Proper marking and labeling is required when shipping lithium batteries by air. Marking and labeling packages containing dangerous goods informs every person involved in its transport of what is inside the package and how to properly handle it during shipment, where to place it during transport, and how to address the situation if something goes wrong. 

All marks must be 

• Durably applied or printed on the package
• Visible and legible
• Able to withstand the elements
• Displayed on a background of contrasting color
• In English. Other languages may be used in addition, when required 
• Properly sized

The lithium battery mark, as shown below, must be applied to packages as outlined in the Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations manual. 

Documentation

When shipping dangerous goods by air, the appropriate documentation must be provided by the shipper to describe the dangerous goods being offered. The Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods must be completed by the shipper for most dangerous goods offered for air transport. It is required that each field be filled out properly and legibly. The fields of the document are:

• Shipper name and address
• Consignee name and address
• Air Waybill Number (generally completed by the freight forwarder)
• Page of pages numbers
• Aircraft Limitations
• Airport of Departure (optional)
• Airport of Destination (optional)
• Shipment Type
• Nature and Quantity of Dangerous Goods
• Number and Type of Packaging
• Packing Instructions
• Authorizations
• Additional Handling Information
• Certification Statement
• Name of Signatory
• Date 
• Signature

In addition to the Shipper’s Declaration is the air waybill. The air waybill is the contract of carriage between the shipper and the airline for the transport of the air cargo, which will accompany the shipment as it moves through the shipping process from shipper to consignee.