Lithium-ion Battery Air Transport Notes
● Dangerous Goods Regulations 49CFR Parts 100-185, Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations apply to all Lithium-Ion battery transport.
Transport by Commercial Airline / Carry-on Luggage
● Lithium-ion batteries packed by themselves (UN3480, PI 965) (not contained in or packed with equipment) must be shipped at a state of charge (SoC) not exceeding 30% of their rated design capacity.
| Type of battery | Allowed in carry-on baggage? | Allowed in checked baggage? | ||
| In equipment | Spares | In equipment | Spares | |
| Capacity less than 100 Wh | YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit | YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit |
| Capacity between 101~160 Wh | YES Airline approval required | YES Up to 2 batteries When protected from damage and short circuit, and airline approval required | YES Airline approval required | NO |
| Capacity more than 160 Wh | NO | NO | NO | NO |
● We recommend that you confirm with your carrier of choice, to determine any further restriction or local policies, before travelling
Transport as air cargo
Dangerous Goods Regulations, 58th Edition
1. Batteries packed by themselves UN3480, PI 965 ● Lithium ion batteries of UN3480 shall be shipped at a state of charge less than 30% of the rated capacity.
● Batteries must be marked with the Watt-hour rating on the outside case.
Section IA applies to lithium ion batteries with a Watt-hour rating in excess of 100 Wh, which must be assigned to Class 9 and are subject to all of the applicable requirements of these Regulations. The Watt-hour rating must be labeled on the outside of the battery case. Packing must meet the Packing Group II performance standards. The package will require a Class9 label, name and address of shipper and consignee, proper shipping name, UN number (UN3480 Lithium ion batteries) etc. A dangerous goods declaration that contains the sender and consignee information must be submitted to the transporter.
Limit per package: Passenger aircraft = Forbidden
Cargo aircraft only = 35kg
Section IB applies to lithium ion batteries with a Watt-hour rating not exceeding 100 Wh packed in quantities that exceed the allowance permitted in Section II. When transporting three or more batteries in one package or more than one package, the package must be classified as Class9 Dangerous Goods. The package must pass a 1.2 meters drop test. In addition, it is necessary to label the following on the package: Class9 label, lithium battery handling label, UN number (UN3480 Lithium ion batteries), name and address of shipper and consignee, proper shipping name, etc. A dangerous goods declaration that contains the sender and consignee information must be submitted to the transporter.
Limit per package: Passenger aircraft = Forbidden
Cargo aircraft only = 10kg
Section II applies to lithium ion batteries with a Watt-hour rating not exceeding 100 Wh packed in quantities not exceeding 2 batteries in one package (no more than 1 package). Batteries of this section are NOT classified as Class9 Dangerous Goods. The package must pass a 1.2 meters drop test. In addition, a lithium battery handling label is required on the shipping package. A Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is not required. An overpack must be marked with the word “Overpack” and labeled with the lithium battery label, unless the label(s) on the package(s) inside the overpack are visible.
Limit per package: Batteries ≤ 100Wh = 2 batteries
Passenger aircraft = Forbidden
2. Lithium ion Batteries Packed with Equipment UN3481, PI 966
● Batteries must be marked with the Watt-hour rating on the outside case.
Section I applies where the equipment is packed with lithium ion batteries with a Watt-hour rating in excess of 100 Wh, which must be assigned to Class 9 and are subject to all of the applicable requirements of these Regulations. The number of cells or batteries in each package must not exceed the appropriate number for the equipment’s operation, plus two spares. A Class9 label will be needed on the package.
Limit per package: Passenger aircraft = 5kg
Cargo aircraft only = 35kg
Section II applies where the equipment is packed with lithium ion batteries with a Watt-hour rating not exceeding 100 Wh. Each package of cells or batteries, or the completed package must be capable of withstanding a 1.2 m drop test. Each package must be labeled with a lithium battery handling label. A Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is not required. An overpack must be marked with the word “Overpack” and labeled with the lithium battery label, unless the label(s) on the package(s) inside the overpack are visible. The equipment must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and must be equipped with an effective means of preventing accidental activation.
Limit per package: Passenger aircraft = 5kg
Cargo aircraft only = 5kg
3. Lithium Ion Batteries Contained in Equipment UN3481, PI 967
● Batteries must be marked with the Watt-hour rating on the outside case.
Section I applies where the equipment contains lithium ion batteries with a Watt-hour rating in excess of 100 Wh, which must be assigned to Class 9 and are subject to all of the applicable requirements of these Regulations. A Class9 label will be needed on the package.
Limit per package: Passenger aircraft = 5kg
Cargo aircraft only = 35kg
Section II applies where the equipment contains lithium ion batteries with a Watt-hour rating not exceeding 100 Wh. The number of cells or batteries in each package must not exceed the appropriate number for the equipment’s operation, plus two spares. Each package must be labeled with a lithium battery handling label. A Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is not required. An overpack must be marked with the word “Overpack” and labeled with the lithium battery label, unless the label(s) on the package(s) inside the overpack are visible. The equipment containing the batteries must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and be packed so as to prevent accidental operation during air transport.
Limit per package: Passenger aircraft = 5kg
Cargo aircraft only = 5kg