As a product development business, are you air freighting products containing Lithium-Metal or Lithium-Ion batteries? Are you aware of the product safety requirements?

Developing products with batteries requires the addressing of risks related to the transportation of the product.

In what products are Lithium-Ion batteries commonly used?
Lithium-Ion batteries are rechargable batteries that are generally found in products such smart phones, laptops, scooters and E-bikes.

In what products are Lithium metal batteries commonly used?
Lithium metal batteries use lithium metal as an anode and are commonly used in items such as watches, car key fobs, remote controls and some toys.

What is the risk?
Lithium batteries present a safety risk to aviation because they use a positively charged electrode that contains oxygen and if the battery is exposed to excessive heat or pressure, it can catch fire. Currently there is more than one aviation incident a week related to lithium batteries in the USA alone. Additionally, the number of batteries in increasing rapidly across the globe as is the energy density in the batteries which is further increasing the risk.

What requirements must my product fulfil for air freighting?
It is important to talk to your shipping company or freight forwarder to make sure they are across the requirements for shipping of batteries in or with your products. They will need to be providing a shippers declaration in most instances. The key requirements you will need to be aware of are:

• All cells and batteries much be tested in accordance with the UN manual of tests and criteria Part III Subsection 38.3 (DGR 3.9.2.6) – and a test summary must be provided to your shipper
• For rechargable batteries, the maximum state of charge for the shipment must be 30%
• When Lithium batteries are not installed in the equipment they power, they must be carried on a cargo aircraft (or if they are over the weight restriction – see below)
• All terminals must be protected against short circuits and inner and outer packaging must be appropriate as per the Wh rating
• See the tables below for further requirements:

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The above table is based on the provisions set out in the 2023-2024 Edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Technical Instructions) and the 65th Edition (2024) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR): http://www.iata.org/dgr
 
The provisions of the DGR with respect to lithium batteries may also be found in the IATA lithium Battery Shipping Regulations (LBSR) 11th Edition: http://www.iata.org/lbsr                  

Refer to our article on the new EU battery regulation for additional battery related requirements.