What is the difference between UN3480 and UN3481?

UN3480 covers lithium ion batteries shipped alone (including battery packs). UN3481 covers lithium ion batteries packed with equipment or contained in equipment. Their packaging, marking, and documentation requirements differ.

What are the key SP requirements for lithium battery transport?

Special Provisions SP188 (small battery exemptions), SP230 (battery mark requirements), SP376/377 (waste battery transport rules) apply depending on battery watt-hour rating, packaging method, and transport mode.

What are the air transport restrictions for lithium batteries?

Per IATA DGR 67th Edition, UN3480 lithium ion batteries shipped alone are prohibited from air transport. UN3481 packed with or contained in equipment may be air-shipped under strict packaging and declaration requirements.

2026 Lithium Battery Transport Regulations | UN3480/UN3481 Ocean Air Road Full Guide [Ginga Logistics]

1

Lithium Battery Classification & UN Numbers

Lithium batteries are classified as Class 9 Dangerous Goods (Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances). Based on battery chemistry and packaging condition, they are divided into four main UN numbers:

UN 3480

Lithium Ion Batteries
(Shipped Alone)

Rechargeable · Class 9

UN 3481

Lithium Ion Batteries
(In/With Equipment)

Rechargeable · Class 9

UN 3090

Lithium Metal Batteries
(Shipped Alone)

Non-rechargeable · Class 9

UN 3091

Lithium Metal Batteries
(In/With Equipment)

Non-rechargeable · Class 9

Li-ion vs Li-metal Differences

Comparison	Lithium Ion (Li-ion)	Lithium Metal (Li-metal)
Rechargeable	✅ Yes	❌ No (Primary battery)
Typical Products	Smartphones, laptops, EV batteries	Coin batteries, camera batteries, military batteries
Hazard Level	High (thermal runaway risk)	Higher (water-reactive)
Quantity Limits	Cell ≤ 20Wh, Battery ≤ 100Wh	Cell ≤ 1g Li content, Battery ≤ 2g
UN (Alone)	UN 3480	UN 3090
UN (With Equipment)	UN 3481	UN 3091

ℹ N.O.S. Description: For specific named lithium battery products, include specific description in parentheses after proper shipping name, e.g., LITHIUM ION BATTERIES (Electric Vehicle Battery Pack)

2

Ocean Shipping Rules (IMDG Code)

Lithium battery ocean shipping follows the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, applicable to all international ocean shipping routes.

Basic Transport Restrictions

Item	Li-ion (UN3480/3481)	Li-metal (UN3090/3091)
Hazard Class	Class 9	Class 9
Packing Group	II	II
State of Charge (SoC)	≤ 30% (large batteries/EV)	N/A
UN 38.3 Test	Required	Required
Container Loading	Allowed, thermal insulation needed	Allowed, avoid humidity
On-deck Loading	Per shipping line policy	Per shipping line policy

Shipping Line Restrictions

⛲ Some Lines Restrict

MSC, CMA CGM and others have additional restrictions on large quantity lithium batteries
Exceeding certain quantities requires special approval
Some routes refuse UN3480 alone shipments

📋 Declaration Requirements

Submit Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)
State total Wh or lithium content
Provide UN38.3 test report
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

✅ Exemptions

Shipped with equipment and battery installed
Small packages meeting SP 188
Meeting limited/excepted quantity requirements

⚠ Important: Lithium battery ocean shipping requires advance confirmation with shipping lines, and DG declaration documents must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance. Some lines require longer lead time. Confirm when booking.

3

Air Transport Rules (IATA DGR)

Air transport of lithium batteries follows IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), currently applicable to 67th Edition (effective January 1, 2026).

Packing Instruction (PI) Correspondence

UN Number	Description	Applicable PI	Passenger Aircraft	Cargo Aircraft
UN 3480	Li-ion batteries (alone)	PI 965	Section I: ForbiddenSection II: Allowed	✅ Allowed
UN 3481	Li-ion batteries (in equipment)	PI 966	✅ Allowed	✅ Allowed
UN 3481	Li-ion batteries (with equipment)	PI 967	✅ Allowed	✅ Allowed
UN 3090	Li-metal batteries (alone)	PI 968	❌ Forbidden	✅ Allowed
UN 3091	Li-metal batteries (in equipment)	PI 969	✅ Allowed	✅ Allowed
UN 3091	Li-metal batteries (with equipment)	PI 970	✅ Allowed	✅ Allowed

Watt-hour (Wh) Rating Limits (2026 DGR 67th)

Battery Type	Passenger Aircraft	Cargo Aircraft
Li-ion cell	≤ 20 Wh	≤ 20 Wh (>20Wh requires approval)
Li-ion battery	≤ 100 Wh	≤ 100 Wh (>100Wh requires approval)
Li-metal cell	≤ 1g Li content	≤ 1g Li content
Li-metal battery	≤ 2g Li content	≤ 2g Li content

State of Charge (SoC) Restrictions - 2026 Key Update

🔴 PI 965 Section I (Li-ion alone)

SoC must not exceed 30%
Cargo aircraft only
SoC must be stated on DGD

🟠 PI 966 Section II (In equipment)

Cells/batteries with rated power > 2.7Wh
SoC must not exceed 30%
Over limit requires authority approval

🟢 PI 967 (With equipment)

Battery may remain at normal charge
Max 1 spare battery per package
Prevent accidental activation

🚫 Prohibited: Damaged, defective, leaking lithium batteries are strictly forbidden from any transport. Airlines and ground handlers have the right to reject and return such cargo, and serious violations may result in significant fines.

4

Road Transport Rules

🇨🇳 China Domestic Road

Based on Road Dangerous Goods Transport Rules (GB 6944)
DG transport vehicle required
Driver must have DG transport qualification
Escort required throughout journey
Advance filing with local traffic authority

🌍 International Road (Europe ADR)

Based on ADR (European Agreement on DG Road Transport)
Lithium batteries classified as Class 9
Transport documents required
Vehicles must display DG placards

🛤 Rail Transport

China Rail: Based on Railway DG Transport Rules
International Rail: Based on RID regulations
Large quantity lithium batteries require special application
Some types refused by rail

5

Packaging Requirements

General Packaging Principles

Requirement	Details
UN-certified packaging	Outer packaging must pass UN performance tests with UN certification mark
Short circuit prevention	Terminals must be insulated (terminal covers, tape, etc.)
Movement prevention	Cushioning materials to prevent battery movement and collision during transport
UN 38.3 test	All lithium batteries must pass UN38.3 safety test with documentation
Package integrity	Damaged, deformed, or contaminated packaging strictly prohibited
Mixed loading	Different UN number lithium batteries cannot be mixed in same package

Quantity Limits by Transport Mode

Transport Mode	Inner Package Limit	Outer Package Limit	Remarks
Air passenger (PI966/967)	1 or 2 spare per device	Total net weight ≤ 5kg	Prevent accidental activation
Air cargo (PI965)	No fixed limit	Calculated by Wh	Shipper's declaration required
Ocean	Refer to IMDG SP 188	Per shipping line requirements	Thermal insulation for container loading
Domestic road	Refer to national standards	Per vehicle capacity	Batch filing required

✅ Recommendation: When purchasing packaging, obtain UN packaging certification certificate (UN Performance Certificate) from supplier and keep for reference. This is essential for customs clearance and carrier inspections.

6

Labeling & Marking Requirements

🏷 Class 9 DG Label

Diamond-shaped label, black/white vertical stripes on top, battery/flame graphic below, "9" at bottom. Size: ≥ 100mm × 100mm

📦 Lithium Battery Mark

White background, rectangular mark with lithium battery graphic, UN number and "LITHIUM BATTERIES" marking. For lithium battery-specific transport marking.

✈ Cargo Aircraft Only Label

Black background, white text "CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY" label. Required for UN3090 lithium metal batteries (alone) air transport.

🌊 Marine Pollutant Mark

If lithium battery components contain marine pollutant substances, additional fish/tree pattern marine pollutant mark required.

Label Application Standards

Scenario	Required Labels
UN3480 (air cargo, alone)	Class 9 label + Lithium battery mark + Cargo aircraft only + UN number mark
UN3481 (air passenger, with equipment)	Class 9 label + Lithium battery mark + UN number mark
UN3090 (air, alone)	Class 9 label + Lithium battery mark + Cargo aircraft only + UN number mark
Ocean all lithium batteries	Class 9 label + UN number mark + Orientation marks (if applicable)

7

Documentation Checklist

📄 Ocean Required Documents

Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
UN 38.3 Test Report
UN Packaging Certification
Packing list, invoice

✈ Air Required Documents

Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods
MSDS
UN 38.3 Test Report
Airlines acceptance checklist
Packaging instruction compliance letter

🚛 Road Required Documents

DG transport bill
MSDS
UN 38.3 Test Report
Road transport permit
Emergency response card

📌 Note: All DG declarations must be completed and signed by DG-trained certified personnel. Signatories on Shipper's Declarations must hold valid IATA/ICAO DG training certificates, otherwise airlines may reject the shipment.

8

2025-2026 Regulatory Changes

January 1, 2025

IATA DGR 66th Edition Effective

SoC restriction for PI966 Section II cells/batteries with rated power >2.7Wh adjusted to recommended requirement. Formal mandatory implementation postponed to 2026.

2025 Full Year

IMDG Code 2025 Update

Electronic DG documentation (XML/EDI format) recommended. Lithium battery ocean packaging requirements further refined. Large batteries require mandatory Battery Management System (BMS) certification.

January 1, 2026

IATA DGR 67th Edition Effective 🔴 Currently Applicable

① SoC ≤ 30% requirement for battery-powered vehicles (UN3556/3557/3558) and PI966 Section II formally mandated;
② New UN 3536 (Li-ion batteries in freight units), UN 3563/3564 etc.;
③ Sodium ion batteries included in management framework;
④ New SDS definition, strengthened document compliance;
⑤ Some airlines (e.g., Lufthansa Group) tightened passenger aircraft restrictions.

2027 (Estimated)

Appendix H Technical Changes Effective

UN TDG 24th revised edition related technical requirements (e.g., new UN numbering system) formally enforced.届时需更新所有相关操作文件和标签。

9

Common Violations & Penalties

Violation	Consequence	Severity
Wrong UN number (Li-ion/Li-metal confusion)	Cargo return, declarant penalties	High
SoC >30% but declared for passenger aircraft	Cargo seizure, flight delay, high fines	Very High
No UN 38.3 test report	Rejection, customs hold	High
Packaging not UN certified	Cargo seizure, liability	Very High
Undeclared/misdeclared DG (false declaration as regular cargo)	Criminal charges, lifetime ban, huge fines	Very High
Incomplete or wrong-sized labels	Cargo hold, supplementary labeling then release	Medium
Transport damaged/defective batteries	Cargo return, carrier liability	Very High
Declaration signed by unqualified person	Declaration invalid, cargo rejection	High

🚨 Serious Warning: Falsely declaring dangerous goods as regular cargo (especially air transport) constitutes a criminal offense in many countries and regions, punishable by imprisonment. There have been multiple aircraft fire incidents caused by falsely declared lithium batteries. Always declare truthfully.

10

Operations Recommendations

Standard Operations Process

Confirm battery type
(Li-ion/Li-metal)

→

Confirm UN number
& packaging

→

Check SoC
≤30%?

→

Prepare packaging
& UN certification

→

Apply labels
& marks

→

Complete DGD
(certified person)

→

Submit pre-declaration
to carrier

Recommendations for Shippers

✅ Must Provide

UN 38.3 test report (original)
Complete MSDS (English/Chinese)
Battery specification sheet (Wh/Li content)
Packaging UN certification

❌ Strictly Prohibited

Hiding battery quantity or model
Refusing to provide test reports
Mixing damaged batteries with normal cargo
Self-modifying UN numbers

💡 Advance Preparation

Confirm carrier acceptance 3-5 days in advance
Prepare emergency contacts
Retain all compliance documents
Update test reports regularly (every 3 years)

🐚 Ginga Reminder: Lithium battery transport regulations are updated annually. All operations personnel should complete annual DG refresher training and stay updated on IATA DGR and IMDG Code annual amendments. For any questions, welcome to contact Ginga operations team for professional DG transport one-stop solutions.

2026 Lithium Battery Transport Regulations | UN3480/UN3481 Ocean Air Road Full Guide

📑 Report Contents

Lithium Battery Classification & UN Numbers

Li-ion vs Li-metal Differences

Ocean Shipping Rules (IMDG Code)

Basic Transport Restrictions

Shipping Line Restrictions

⛲ Some Lines Restrict

📋 Declaration Requirements

✅ Exemptions

Air Transport Rules (IATA DGR)

Packing Instruction (PI) Correspondence

Watt-hour (Wh) Rating Limits (2026 DGR 67th)

State of Charge (SoC) Restrictions - 2026 Key Update

🔴 PI 965 Section I (Li-ion alone)

🟠 PI 966 Section II (In equipment)

🟢 PI 967 (With equipment)

Road Transport Rules

🇨🇳 China Domestic Road

🌍 International Road (Europe ADR)

🛤 Rail Transport

Packaging Requirements

General Packaging Principles

Quantity Limits by Transport Mode

Labeling & Marking Requirements

🏷 Class 9 DG Label

📦 Lithium Battery Mark

✈ Cargo Aircraft Only Label

🌊 Marine Pollutant Mark

Label Application Standards

Documentation Checklist

📄 Ocean Required Documents

✈ Air Required Documents

🚛 Road Required Documents

2025-2026 Regulatory Changes

Common Violations & Penalties

Operations Recommendations

Standard Operations Process

Recommendations for Shippers

✅ Must Provide

❌ Strictly Prohibited

💡 Advance Preparation

📚 Related Articles

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