Protect Your Shipment and Your Business
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2024 6:58 am
Lithium batteries are increasingly found in products. As their use increases, so do the frequency of safety incidents during shipping. In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration reported a significant jump in lithium battery incidents on airplanes and in airports — from just 16 accidents in 2015 to 46 in 2017. 1
To address these growing concerns, the United Nations regularly updates its viber database Model Regulations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Is your organization complying with these changes to lithium battery shipping regulations ? If not, you risk penalties and fines that can run into thousands of dollars per violation.
Lithium Battery Hazards
A malfunctioning battery can cause overheating or thermal runaway. This can lead to fires, explosions, or gas leaks. Additionally, lithium batteries can undergo thermal runaway when exposed to an external heat source, such as a fire. Because of these safety concerns, lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials or dangerous goods and manufacturers must comply with strict regulatory requirements.
Mode of Transport Shipment
The shipping regulations for lithium batteries are first defined by the mode of transport, air, land or sea.
International air transport offers the strictest rules. Self-contained lithium batteries are limited to cargo aircraft only. This rule protects passenger flights in the event of a fire or explosion. In addition, regulations prohibit damaged, defective or recalled batteries from air transport altogether.
Even on cargo flights, the rules are strict. For example, lithium-ion batteries cannot be shipped by air if the battery charge is 30 percent or less of its capacity. Many manufacturers and sellers don’t have the means to test the level of each battery or prefer to charge at 100 percent, so they usually rely on ground and ocean transportation.
Shipping Labels & Documentation
Regardless of the mode of transport, there are still many regulations that shippers must address:
Packaging requirements depend on the size and volume of the battery.
The number of packages that can be sent to the same recipient at the same time is limited.
Documentation rules vary depending on battery wattage or gram ratings.
Shipments Completely Exempted
Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries rated at 100-watt-hours or less, and lithium metal batteries with two (2) grams or less of lithium content, are exempt items. The rating parameters will increase slightly if the mode of transportation is limited to highway or rail only. Additional exceptions apply to individual cells.
To address these growing concerns, the United Nations regularly updates its viber database Model Regulations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Is your organization complying with these changes to lithium battery shipping regulations ? If not, you risk penalties and fines that can run into thousands of dollars per violation.
Lithium Battery Hazards
A malfunctioning battery can cause overheating or thermal runaway. This can lead to fires, explosions, or gas leaks. Additionally, lithium batteries can undergo thermal runaway when exposed to an external heat source, such as a fire. Because of these safety concerns, lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials or dangerous goods and manufacturers must comply with strict regulatory requirements.
Mode of Transport Shipment
The shipping regulations for lithium batteries are first defined by the mode of transport, air, land or sea.
International air transport offers the strictest rules. Self-contained lithium batteries are limited to cargo aircraft only. This rule protects passenger flights in the event of a fire or explosion. In addition, regulations prohibit damaged, defective or recalled batteries from air transport altogether.
Even on cargo flights, the rules are strict. For example, lithium-ion batteries cannot be shipped by air if the battery charge is 30 percent or less of its capacity. Many manufacturers and sellers don’t have the means to test the level of each battery or prefer to charge at 100 percent, so they usually rely on ground and ocean transportation.
Shipping Labels & Documentation
Regardless of the mode of transport, there are still many regulations that shippers must address:
Packaging requirements depend on the size and volume of the battery.
The number of packages that can be sent to the same recipient at the same time is limited.
Documentation rules vary depending on battery wattage or gram ratings.
Shipments Completely Exempted
Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries rated at 100-watt-hours or less, and lithium metal batteries with two (2) grams or less of lithium content, are exempt items. The rating parameters will increase slightly if the mode of transportation is limited to highway or rail only. Additional exceptions apply to individual cells.