Lithium Battery Shipping
Your Source for Lithium Battery Products, Services,
and Industry Information
Lithium Battery Regulatory Information
How to Ship Lithium Batteries by Air
— As of April 1, 2016
In February, 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 goes into effect April 1, 2016.
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.
Get important information on How to Ship Lithium Batteries by Air.
Products to Help You Comply With Lithium Battery Regulations
Special Permit Notice
Labelmaster now provides a new option that allows businesses to ship such products via ground at a reduced expense based on a special permit from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to offer an innovative packaging design solution. We are in the process of developing the specifications for stock items, and custom items will also be offered. In the mean time please call 800-621-5808, and we will help guide you to the right box for your application. Buy Labelmaster's new Cellphone Recovery Kit!
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 ]
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.
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
On August 6, 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published HM-224F in the Federal Register. Several years in the making, the ruling represents a significant change in how lithium batteries will be regulated when shipped by land, sea, and air in the U.S. Mandatory compliance of this landmark regulation began February 6, 2015.
Lithium Batteries: Regulatory Changes Present Challenges
Bob Richard, Vice President of Government Affairs at Labelmaster, talks about the risks and regulations associated with the shipping of lithium batteries.
Lithium Battery Products and Services
Lithium Battery Products
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
January 2017
Lithium Batteries in the News: Lithium batteries continue their long reach into the affairs of the regulatory agencies, this time at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency announced several actions concerning issues related to batteries used in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).
[Read More]
We are keeping the pulse of the ever changing lithium battery regulations and want to ensure your supply chains keep moving.
We are working on new webinars... stay tuned.
Labelmaster Lithium Battery Blog Articles
Lithium Battery Awareness Challenge