Shipping Lithium Batteries By Sea Freight From China

What kinds of products need shipping lithium batteries by sea

Lithium batteries, which are commonly used in devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PDAs, watches, cameras and children’s toys, are classified as "Dangerous Goods" under IATA DG Regulations, since charged lithium battery shipments may overheat and ignite under certain conditions. Such as these products shipping lithium batteries by sea is low shippign cost. Therefore, implement measures so your shipments containing lithium batteries are correctly handled from when they are tendered to Sea freight company at the origin to when they are delivered to their destination.

Being classed as Dangerous Goods, when shipping lithium batteries by sea lithium batteries must be correctly identified and classified, and in some cases, be packaged, marked, labeled and accompanied by a "Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods" under the IATA DG Regulations.

When shipping a package containing lithium batteries, strong rigid outer packaging must be used and, depending on the type of lithium batteries, additional markings and labelling may also be required, branded boxes or tubes may be used as outer packaging for lithium batteries prepared under Section II of the relevant packing instruction of the IATA DG Regulations.

Below you can find further details and guidelines on preparing and packaging shipments containing lithium batteries.

All packages containing lithium batteries are classified as Class 9 — Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods. However, packages containing small lithium batteries may be exempted from most of the IATA and ICAO requirements if they comply with the requirements in Section II IATA Packing Instructions (PI) 966 and 967 for lithium ion batteries and 969 and 970 for lithium metal batteries as appropriate.

Lithium Battery Shipping by sea packages equipment

Shipping lithium batteries by sea shipments of lithium batteries packed with equipment and lithium batteries contained in equipment may be packaged in accordance with Section II IATA packaging requirements provided that the metal or alloy cell content does not exceed more than 1 gram, and the aggregate lithium content does not exceed 2 grams per cell.

Lithium ion cells and batteries meeting the requirements of Section II must meet the general requirements of the packaging instruction. For lithium ion or polymer cells, the watt-hour rating is not more than 20Wh (watt hours) and 100wh per battery.

Each of the proper shipping names defined in Section II IATA may have additional requirements related to the types of approved outer packaging, weight limits, and package drop tests of 1.2 meters.

To comply with Section II IATA shipping requirements, shipments containing lithium batteries and cells must comply with specific packaging guidelines. Ensure that lithium batteries are individually packaged in fully enclosed inner packaging such as a plastic blister wrap or pasteboard to provide protection for each battery.

Other requirements

Shield and protect lithium batteries to prevent short circuits or contact with conductive materials within the packaging that could cause short circuits.

Ensure that packaging is proven (i.e. tested) to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3.

Make sure that lithium batteries are completely enclosed (such as in equipment or surrounded by plastic with void space filled to prevent movement), except when the proper shipping names end with “contained in equipment”.

Note: if using the Lithium Battery Label, shipping lithium batteries by sea may request that you add the UN number on the package. This will become a mandatory requirement by Sea freight.