Lithium Battery Shipping

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.

Power Up Your Business for Revised Mandatory Regulations on Shipping Lithium Batteries

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), now requires mandatory compliance that significantly reduces the exception allowances for shipping lithium batteries, which are potentially dangerous if not safely packed and handled when transported. On February 13, 2015 PHMSA responded to concerns regarding the difficulty in achieving full compliance and announced that it will extend the mandatory compliance date until August 7, 2015 for non-air transport of lithium cells and batteries. However, air transport of lithium batteries or cells now have new battery packaging, marking, and labeling requirements as part of the revised rule and businesses must verify the status of their lithium batteries, many of which were previously exempt, prior to shipping. Mishandling these new regulations can result in your company's lithium battery shipments being delayed, returned, or even subject to fines.