The transportation of lithium batteries involves strict safety regulations. The transportation requirements for different types of lithium batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries and lithium metal batteries, may vary slightly. The following are general transportation guidelines:
1. Packaging Requirements
–UN 38.3 Certification: Lithium batteries must pass the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Section 38.3, to ensure safety for transport.
–Short Circuit Protection: Batteries should be packaged individually to prevent short circuits, typically using anti-static bags or specialized plastic packaging.
–Protective Outer Packaging: Strong, durable outer packaging is required to protect the batteries from physical damage during transit. Cushioning materials like foam or bubble wrap are often used.
–Labels and Markings: The package must display appropriate hazard labels, usually including a lithium battery warning label, indicating that the package contains hazardous materials. The labeling requirements may vary depending on the transport mode (air, sea, or land).
2. Transport Modes
–Air Transport: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has specific rules for air shipment:
–Standalone Batteries (Section IA and IB): Larger batteries (e.g., for laptops) often require shipping as cargo and involve specific hazardous materials declarations.
–With Equipment (Section II): Smaller batteries shipped with equipment have fewer restrictions.
–Sea Transport: Sea transport follows similar guidelines as air transport, with packaging requirements enforced under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
–Land Transport: Depending on the country, land transport may require batteries to be classified and transported in accordance with local dangerous goods regulations.
3. Capacity and Quantity Limits
–Battery Capacity Limits: The watt-hour (Wh) or lithium content (grams) of the battery determines restrictions during air transport. Generally, batteries over 100Wh require special handling and declaration.
–Quantity Limits: There may be limits on the number of lithium batteries per package, especially for air shipments.