Lithium Shipping Regulations

Important announcement to Lithium battery customers

All lithium batteries are considered as Class 9 "Hazardous Materials" or "Dangerous Goods" for shipping either domestically or internationally. There are two regulating authorities: U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) and its associated Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and International Air Transport Association (IATA). There are exceptions to the HMR & IATA regulations for "small" lithium/li-ion batteries based on amount of lithium in these batteries. The amount of lithium in li-ion batteries is determined by either Watt Hour rating or "Equivalent lithium content". Equivalent lithium content is calculated in grams on per-cell basis as 0.3 times the rated capacity of the cell in Ampere hours times the number of cells per pack.

Please note that special packaging and marking requirements as well as special shipping and handling may be required for shipping lithium batteries. This includes both primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) lithium cells and batteries. Please contact Rose Electronics (sales@rose-elec.com) for further information.

Click here for IATA Guidance Document on Transport of Lithium Batteries; refer to PI 965-970 for Packaging

Click here for the IATA 2011 Packing Instructions for Lithium Batteries

Click here for ICAO Guidance Document on Transport of Lithium Batteries; refer to PI 965-970 for Packaging

Click here for PRBA Document: Packaging and Shipping Batteries Safely

Click here for Department of Transportation 49 CFR Section 173.185 "Lithium Cells and Batteries"

Click here for Department of Transportation 49 CFR Special Provision 188 "Small Lithium Cells and Batteries"

Click here for copy of the UN Transportation Test Requirements: "UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Fifth Revised Edition"

Click here for a copy of US Dept of Transportation's "Shipping Batteries Safely by Air"

Battery and Cell Category Definitions:

In HMR:49 CFR Section 173.185

		Small (No More Than)	Medium (Between)	Large (More Than)
Cells	Primary	1 g Li	1 g and 5 g Li	5 g Li
	Secondary	1.5 g ELC	1.5 g and 5 g ELC	5 g ELC
Batteries	Primary	2 g Li	2 g and 25 g Li	5 g Li
	Secondary	8 g ELC	8 g and 25 g ELC	25 g ELC

Lithium/Li-Ion Battery Transportation Regulations Currently in Effect for Domestic and International Shipping

Primary Cell / Battery Maximum Lithium Content	Lithium Ion & Polymer Cell / Battery Maximum	Shipping Classifacation / Testing	Special Packaging / Markings
1.0 g / 2.0 g	1.5 g / 8.0 g (max = 12 cell 2.2Ah or 9 cell 2.4Ah pack)	Excepted / T1-T8	Yes
>1.0 g / >2.0 g	>1.5 g / >8.0 g	Class 9 / T1-T8	Yes

Please contact us for further information.