7
Transporting Batteries
Certain batteries are considered “Dangerous Goods” because of their inherent stored energy and flammability.
Lithium ion batteries of a certain size are considered “Class 9” Dangerous Goods and must be transported in
accordance with international regulations.
Transporting Dangerous Goods is regulated internationally by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Technical Instructions and corresponding International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods
Regulations and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. In the United States, transportation of
these batteries is regulated by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), which is found at Title 49 of the Code
of Federal Regulations, Sections 100-185. All of these regulations that govern the transport of rechargeable lithium
ion cells and batteries are based on the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model
Regulations.
All lithium ion cells and batteries must meet the test criteria set forth in the UN “Recommendations on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria”, chapter 38.3 (known as UN 38.3) in order to be
transported.
Other laws and regulatory requirements may apply depending upon a given location. It is required for one to
become familiar with the laws and regulatory requirements as they apply to each individual situation.
Useful References:
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Pages/lithium-batteries.aspx
http://www.ups.com/media/news/en/intl_lithium_battery_regulations.pdf
