Shipping Lithium Batteries Internationally
Every shipment of lithium batteries must be properly marked and labeled. This informs anyone handling or transporting the package that it contains dangerous goods. This is to ensure their health and safety.
Fortunately, courier services that offer international shipping have determined reliable guidelines for safe packaging. So, you can easily ship lithium batteries internationally with these companies.
Air Transport
When shipping lithium batteries internationally through air, there are additional rules that must be followed. The batteries must be marked and labeled with the proper UN number, shipping name, class or division and packing group (if applicable). This information helps ensure that everyone involved in transporting the shipment is aware of its hazard potential. It also prevents miscommunication and the misunderstanding of laws or rules by other logistics partners.
Lithium ion rechargeable batteries and lithium metal cells are classified as Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods. This means that they must be transported as cargo and not carried as a passenger. When sending them as cargo, the batteries cannot exceed a state of charge of 30 percent and the battery terminals must be insulated to prevent short circuits.
The ICAO sets the standards for air transport of dangerous goods through its Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The TSIs set requirements for package dimensions, labeling and marking and documentation. A table in the TSIs provides a net quantity limit for the number of lithium batteries that can be shipped to one destination at a time on both cargo and passenger aircraft.
The TSIs also require all packages to have a Dangerous Goods Declaration on file and a unique identifier for the batteries, such as a UN number or a battery specific identification mark. This helps verify the shipments prior to tendering them for transport and reduces the likelihood of a shipment being mishandled or misplaced during transit. The TSIs also require that all batteries have a safety data sheet on file.
Sea Transport
As the global economy becomes increasingly dependent on lithium batteries for power, transporting these shipments is inevitably going to shipping lithium batteries internationally escalate in volumes. With air transport restricted already, it is clear that the use of other surface modes of transport will need to increase.
For this reason, the industry has united around the need to develop comprehensive guidelines on shipping lithium batteries and devices containing them by sea freight. These guidelines will cover all aspects of shipping these batteries including classification and regulation, container packing, landside storage, stowage onboard ships, incident detection and fire suppression and loss prevention and risk mitigation.
The guidelines will also address the need for better communication between supply chain partners and the shipping community. This will help prevent the confusion and misunderstandings that can arise when different regulations and requirements are applied to lithium battery shipments in different countries.
Crane Worldwide Logistics is committed to following and expanding on the best practices for the shipment of lithium batteries across the globe. These best practices include having a full understanding of the regulations in place, the need for proper documentation and marking and the importance of using the right labels to identify a package containing lithium batteries. We are also dedicated to working with shipping companies that understand the specific needs of this type of shipment.
Road Transport
Generally speaking, you can safely ship lithium batteries by road freight if they are packed and shipped as part of or installed inside equipment (such as a laptop with a battery). The batteries must also be packed properly according to international air transport standards set out by IATA. These guidelines include stricter packaging limits, higher dimensional and weight restrictions and specific requirements regarding State of Charge (SoC).
The person or company named as the Shipper on the shipment waybill is legally responsible for ensuring that your lithium battery shipments are in compliance with DOT and PHMSA regulations regardless of whether they’re being delivered to cross-border customers. If you’re not sure what rules and regulations apply to your shipments, it’s always best to work with a reputable courier partner like Easyship.
Non-compliance with shipping regulations can result in fires, explosions and other hazardous situations that threaten the safety of passengers, airline crew members, couriers and shipping company employees. In the worst cases, they can even lead to plane crashes, boat sinkings and related deaths. Fortunately, many courier companies are well aware of the risks associated with shipping lithium batteries and are ready to help you ensure that your packages comply with all necessary safety rules. Easyship works with renowned global couriers who are happy to offer their services to customers requiring the shipping of lithium batteries.
Packaging
When it comes to shipping lithium shipping lithium batteries internationally batteries internationally, there are strict regulations in place that must be followed. This is to prevent potential accidents that can be fatal if not handled correctly. This includes documentation, marking and labels. These regulations are set by various organizations, agencies and carriers and vary between air and sea freight.
For example, lithium batteries must be shipped with a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) and a Shipper’s Declaration of Hazardous Materials (SDHM). These documents tell anyone who picks up or transports your package that the shipment contains dangerous goods and how they must be handled. It is important that these documents are completed and correctly filled out as failure to do so can result in delays, fines or even seizure of the shipment.
In addition, shipments of lithium batteries must also have the proper markings and labels. This can include a Class 9 label, Lithium Battery Handling Label or both. These are necessary when shipping batteries as stand alone, packed with equipment or contained in equipment. If the batteries are prototypes, they must have a Prototype label which indicates that the battery has not yet been fully tested to ensure it meets safety requirements.
The packaging that lithium batteries are sent in must be strong and sturdy to prevent movement during transit. This is to avoid any internal rupture that could cause an explosion. This means that the batteries should be securely placed in double-walled boxes with a strong outer shell and heavy duty bubble wrap. It is also recommended that the box be lined with a non-conductive material for added protection. This helps prevent short circuits in the event of a sudden increase in temperature.
