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Battery Transport Compliance


Carriers enforce battery transport compliance: a carrier can refuse a consignment when documentation, packaging, labels or procedures are incomplete, even when the regulations allow the shipment. Lithium battery shipping rests on UN 38.3 test evidence, the rulebook for the transport mode, and operational controls for classification, packaging, marking, documentation and training. Damaged, defective, recalled, prototype and waste batteries need separate handling.


Transport Pages

Page Rulebook What it covers
UN 38.3 Battery Transport Testing UN Manual of Tests and Criteria The T.1 to T.8 test sequence, model-level evidence and test summary controls
UN 38.3 Compliance Checklist UN 38.3 Who needs evidence, test summary contents, document and pre-shipment checklists
IATA Air Transport for Lithium Batteries International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations Air, the most restrictive mode, with frequent carrier-specific limits; rejection causes and state of charge (SOC) controls
IMDG Sea Transport for Lithium Batteries International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code Sea, high volume; enforcement varies by carrier and port; stowage and segregation
ADR Road Transport for Lithium Batteries Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR); national rules elsewhere Road in Europe; enforcement at borders, roadside checks and terminals
Battery Transport & Storage Compliance Facility and fire protection requirements Warehouse storage controls, condition screening and state of charge (SOC) limits

Battery Shipping Categories

Classification is the first gate. Requirements change with battery type, condition and shipment scenario.

Category Examples Why requirements change
Cells and batteries shipped alone Loose cells, standalone packs Packaging and quantity limits differ by mode
Contained in equipment Power tools, devices, robots May qualify for different packaging or documentation treatment
Packed with equipment Spare packs shipped with equipment Different packaging and marking rules
Damaged, defective or recalled Swollen batteries, incident returns, suspect packs Often restricted or prohibited; special packaging and carrier pre-approval; recalls can override standard allowances
Prototypes and low production runs research and development (R&D) shipments Special allowances may exist but need planning and evidence
Waste batteries Returns for recycling or disposal Adds waste classification and chain-of-custody documents; see Battery Waste Classification

Core Controls Across All Modes

Control What it requires
Classification Correct proper shipping name, UN number, packing instruction and hazard labels, kept in a classification register by battery configuration and shipment scenario
UN 38.3 evidence Current UN 38.3 test summary linked to the shipped configuration
Packaging Terminal insulation, cell separation, cushioning against movement, and approved packaging types for lithium or damaged batteries; some modes require certified packaging designs. Documented packing instructions by battery type and condition
Marking and labeling Lithium battery handling marks, hazard labels, UN numbers, orientation arrows and emergency contact information, from approved templates under document control. Missing or incorrect marks are a frequent cause of shipment refusal
Documentation Safety data sheet (SDS), dangerous goods declaration where required, packing work instruction, and shipment records retained by route and mode
Training Records showing qualified staff prepared dangerous goods shipments where required
Exceptions Separate procedures and approvals for damaged, defective, recalled, prototype and waste batteries

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