International Shipping Lithium Batteries
When shipping lithium batteries internationally, the package must comply with dangerous goods regulations. This includes the requirements for marking, labeling and declaring the shipment.
The shipping requirements vary depending on the destination country and transportation mode. They include pre-transportation tests, packaging norms, limits on net quantity per package and air transport documents based on the ICAO TI and IATA DGR.
Safety
Strict compliance with shipping regulations is essential when transporting lithium batteries. Failure to do so can result in your shipment being rejected, incurring penalties or causing a dangerous situation. For this reason, you should only ship lithium batteries through the services of a reputable freight forwarder who has the experience and knowledge necessary to handle these hazardous goods.
Lithium ion batteries must be packaged properly to ensure they stay within compliance with international shipping requirements. The inner packaging must prevent shifting during transit or loosening of protective coverings, and the outer package must protect against environmental impacts like heat, altitude, and vibration.
You must also have all the proper documentation in order to ship lithium batteries internationally. This includes a “Shipper Declaration for Dangerous Goods,” which is a comprehensive document that lists important information such as the shipment’s point of origin and destination, as well as its description and nature. This document must be signed by the manufacturer or shipping company. In addition, your shipments must have the correct freight labels to indicate that they are hazardous goods and that proper handling procedures must be followed.
Packaging
When shipping lithium batteries internationally, the packaging must be strong enough to prevent damage. It must also be sealed in a way that will protect against inner shorter circuits. The packaging must be marked and labeled with the correct information to inform everyone who comes into contact with it of its contents, how to handle it during shipment and what to do if it is damaged.
The watt-hour (Wh) and lithium metal content restrictions for each battery or cell will determine how the package should be packaged to stay within regulations. The packaging must be clearly marked shipping lithium batteries internationally ups and labelled in a way that is unmistakable.
The commercial invoice and bill of lading must be prepared to accompany the shipment. The bill of lading is a contract of carriage that provides authorities with important shipment details including the destination address, route and unique tracking number. It is important to work with a freight forwarder who has experience handling international shipping of dangerous goods. The freight forwarder will be able to advise on the appropriate courier and packaging to ensure that the lithium batteries arrive at their destination in good condition.
Labeling
Shipping lithium batteries requires the right packaging and labeling. The batteries must be installed within shipping lithium batteries internationally ups or packed with the equipment they are meant to power for the package to meet the requirements of international regulations (IATA). If shipped loose, the batteries must pass a battery handling inspection certificate offered by the manufacturer. This document is usually provided upon request. It includes the packing performance report, classification and identification reports for hazards, and dangerous goods labels. This certificate is needed when you book cargo space and make a declaration of dangerous goods for air shipments.
If you are shipping via ground, you should check with your carrier as they have their own guidelines and restrictions. You can also hire a freight forwarder or courier service that specialises in safe DG goods transportation, such as Airsupply, to ensure your shipment adheres to regulations and is handled properly. They can provide you with the proper documentation, handle customs clearance, and offer guidance on safety protocols. They can also help you decide between sea freight and other shipping methods to suit your timelines, budget, and specific needs.
Dangerous Goods Regulations
As dangerous goods, lithium batteries must be carefully declared and packaged. In addition, a dangerous goods training course must be completed by all shippers or carriers of lithium metal or lithium ion batteries. The shipping of these batteries without proper care and labeling can lead to fines, lawsuits, and employee health risks.
Due to their increased risk (damaged batteries have been blamed for aircraft crashes in the past), regulations surrounding them have become increasingly strict. The UNECE assigns packing instruction numbers to different battery types, which establishes rules for their packaging and marking. These packing instructions are strictly adhered to by all airlines when shipping lithium batteries.
It is important that you know the regulations for your carrier, as they will vary from one to the next. For example, some may only allow you to ship a certain amount of loose cells or batteries, while others will require you to test your cells and batteries with a complex and time consuming Coulomb-counting technique. For this reason, we recommend working with reputable manufacturers that are already aware of current shipping restrictions.
Couriers
In order to ship lithium batteries safely internationally, you must choose the right courier service for your shipping needs. It is important that your chosen courier service understands the detailed regulations that must be followed and complied with for safe international shipping of lithium batteries by air, sea or road.
The right courier will also be able to provide the necessary paperwork for your shipment. These documents might include a customs declaration, commercial invoice or bill of lading. Some couriers might also ask for a material safety data sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer of your batteries.
Choosing the right courier is essential because many retailers find that they get a lot of complaints from customers who receive damaged electronics. These broken electronics often result in unhappy returns, which can be a big problem for your business. That’s why it’s a good idea to use a reputable courier that has experience in shipping dangerous goods. This way, you can be sure that your batteries will arrive at their destination in perfect condition. This will help you avoid any issues with your customers and ensure that your business’ reputation is maintained.
