Lithium Battery Shipping

Lithium Battery Regulatory Information

Extra Label Required for Shipping Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium Battery Shipping New Requirement with Companion Labeling

The long-awaited DOT PHMSA Interim Final Rule (IFR) enhancing the safety provisions for lithium batteries transported by aircraft appeared in the Federal Register this week on March 6th. This IFR generally harmonizes the 49 CFR with the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (regulations effective in the ICAO TI since April 1, 2016). Our lithium batterry shipping blog post summarizes the major changes applicable to the air transport of lithium cells and batteries in the US, effective immediately.

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Revolutionary Packaging for Lithium Batteries

WHEN LITHIUM BATTERIES ARE THE QUESTION, OBEXION IS THE ANSWER.

Many lithium batteries and battery-powered devices are regulated as hazardous materials. Shipping them safely and compliantly can be challenging, time-consuming, and complex.

Obexion is a complete line of protective packaging that mitigates the risks of lithium battery fires. For any type of lithium battery or device, Obexion's advanced packaging technology is the simple, complete, and compliant solution.

Learn More About Obexion Packaging

How to Ship Lithium Batteries by Air

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) — the United Nations agency that regulates the transport of dangerous goods aboard aircraft — enacted a ban on transporting standalone lithium ion batteries (UN 3480) as cargo on passenger aircraft. The ban has been in effect for 2 years now.

Since lithium metal batteries (UN 3090) were already prohibited, the new regulation means no standalone lithium batteries, in any quantity or packaging, may be shipped as cargo on passenger aircraft.

Important information on How to Ship Lithium Batteries by Air.

New Carrier Shipping Policies

FedEx Battery Shipping Policy - Effective January 1, 2017

FedEx Express is changing its policy on standalone shipments of lithium batteries (i.e., not packed in or with equipment). That means shippers will have to change the way they prepare these shipments if they want to continue using FedEx Express. According to the new FedEx Express Battery Shipping Policy, all standalone shipments of lithium batteries will require transport as fully regulated shipments under either Section 1A or Section 1B of ICAO/IATA Packing Instructions 965 and 968, respectively. [ READ MORE ]

UPS Battery Shipping Policy - Effective January 1, 2017

UPS follows FedEx and is changing its requirements for standalone shipments of lithium batteries (i.e., not packed in or with equipment) shipped by air. That means shippers will have to change the way they prepare these shipments if they want to continue using UPS Air services. New requirements in the UPS Battery Shipping Policy are that all standalone shipments of lithium batteries will require transport as fully regulated shipments under either Section 1A or Section 1B of ICAO/IATA Packing Instructions 965 and 968, respectively. [ READ MORE ]

Which Lithium Batteries Have New Shipping Restrictions?

Exceptions for small and medium lithium battery types are sizably less, and most lithium batteries will become regulated class 9 hazardous materials when offered for ground transportation. This new requirement means that many types of small lithium batteries that were exempt from the regulations will now require the use of UN performance packaging, hazard class labeling and expanded documentation requirements. This has a big impact on small consumer electronics with lithium batteries such as laptop computers, power tools, and medical devices.

Shipping Lithium Batteries - Weighing in on a Global Scale

The entire load of lithium battery types and the equipment they power will fall under the requirements of these new rules whether they are shipped into, out of, or through the United States. When either importing or exporting lithium batteries, no shipment can leave the dock without the articles being packaged, marked, and labeled in accordance with these new U.S. regulations. Further, all shipments performed by U.S. flagged air carriers, no matter the origin or destination of the flight, will be required to comply with the battery packaging requirements.

New Lithium Battery Types Defined

The PHMSA has taken two roads on shipping descriptions for lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries like those found in the UN Model Regulations, the ICAO Technical Instructions, and IMO Dangerous Goods Code. Most of the changes have been made to the packaging and hazard communication requirements for shipping lithium battery types.

If It Holds a Charge, Labelmaster Can Handle the Compliance.

Labelmaster can steer you in the right direction with the products and services you need to meet these new regulations for shipping lithium, lithium metal and lithium ion batteries. From battery packaging, labeling and documentation to training and shipping, simply contact a Labelmaster regulatory expert for assistance.

Dangerous Goods Report

Can Packaging Innovation Make Battery Shipping Simple Again?

To keep shipments and people safe, regulations on shipping lithium batteries and devices have grown more complex and more burdensome. Bans from commercial aircraft. New labels and classifications. New restrictions on consignments and state-of-charge.

How can lithium battery transport be made safer and simpler?

Lithium Battery Products and Services

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Lithium Battery Services

Battery Packaging Finder

To meet today's increasingly mobile lifestyle, batteries are becoming more powerful. Some batteries may pose a significant risk in transportation, so requirements have been put in place to manage these risks. Labelmaster's Battery Packaging Finder is designed to help you choose appropriate packaging for your battery shipments.

What Makes Lithium Batteries Special

What is it about lithium batteries that makes them so effective at powering the world around us? What is it about them that classifies them as Dangerous Goods? This animated infographic takes a quick look at the remarkable technology behind these high-energy power sources and offers tips for ensuring safe and compliant shipping.

Keeping Current is Keeping Compliant

Shipping Lithium Batteries Infographic

When shipping lithium batteries, which are classified as dangerous goods, maintaining compliance can be tricky. This shipping lithium battery infographic provides an overview of the regulations governing the movement of these increasingly common energy cells.

Click the Shipping Lithium Battery Infographic to enlarge.
Download the single page printable version of the Shipping Lithium Battery Infographic.

What Makes Lithium Batteries Special Infographic

With all the attention lithium batteries have received in the news lately, and the revised regulations for shipping them as dangerous goods, you might wonder, "What makes these batteries so different that they warrant special treatment?" Hopefully this What Makes Lithium Batteries Special Infographic helps answer this question.

Click the What Makes Lithium Batteries Special Infographic to enlarge.
Download the single page printable version of the What Makes Lithium Batteries Special Infographic.

March 2019
Extra Label Required for Shipping Lithium-Ion Batteries: The long-awaited DOT PHMSA Interim Final Rule (IFR) enhancing the safety provisions for lithium batteries transported by aircraft appeared in the Federal Register this week on March 6th. This IFR generally harmonizes the 49 CFR with the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (regulations effective in the ICAO TI since April 1, 2016). Our lithium batterry shipping blog post summarizes the major changes applicable to the air transport of lithium cells and batteries in the US, effective immediately.

[Read More]

October 2018
As 2019 quickly approaches, lithium battery shippers need to be aware of the mandatory label changes that become effective on January 1st. For almost 2 years shippers of small (excepted) batteries and battery-powered devices have had the option to use either the lithium battery handling "Caution" label or the lithium battery mark while operating under the transition period that has been allowed within the International and Domestic regulations. On January 1st the lithium battery mark becomes mandatory and the handling label becomes obsolete.