Lithium Ion Battery Shipping Certification

China is a major producer and exporter of lithium batteries, with export volumes increasing significantly in recent years. However, lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods and may pose risks such as fire, smoke, and explosion during transportation. Therefore, transportation safety must be given serious attention. Furthermore, countries around the world have specific requirements for the transportation of imported lithium battery products. Today, we will clarify these requirements, hoping to provide you with valuable reference information.

Basic Three Requirements for Battery Transportation

UN38.3

The UN38.3 standard applies almost globally and relates to safety and performance testing. It is part 38.3 of the "UN Manual of Tests and Criteria" specially developed by the United Nations for the transportation of dangerous goods. It requires that before lithium batteries are transported, they must pass a series of rigorous tests including highly simulated conditions, high/low temperature cycling, vibration test, shock test, 55°C external short circuit test, impact test, overcharge test, and forced discharge test to ensure transportation safety.

If the lithium batteries are not installed within equipment and the package contains more than 24 cells or 12 batteries, a 1.2-meter free drop test must also be passed.

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

The MSDS for lithium batteries is a comprehensive document provided by hazardous chemical manufacturers or sellers according to regulations. It includes 16 types of information such as chemical composition, physical and chemical parameters, flammability and explosion properties, toxicity, environmental hazards, safe usage, storage conditions, spill emergency handling, and transportation regulations.

For air transport, an "Air Transport Condition Identification Report" is required. However, since there is no similar certification for sea transport, the MSDS is used to determine if the product is suitable for sea transport to ensure safety.

Air and Sea Transport Identification Report

For products containing batteries shipped from China (excluding Hong Kong), the final air transport identification report must be reviewed and issued by a hazardous goods identification agency authorized and recognized directly by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The main contents of the report generally include: the name of the cargo and company identification, main physical and chemical properties, hazardous characteristics of the transported goods, laws and regulations on which the identification is based, and emergency response methods. The purpose is to provide transport units with information directly related to transport safety.

Besides un38.3 certification, lithium batteries must also pass corresponding certifications of the destination country to be sold locally. Different countries have different requirements for lithium batteries, as outlined below:

European Union (EU)

IEC/EN Report:Portable rechargeable cells and batteries

Standards: IEC/EN62133, IEC/EN60950

cb certification:Portable lithium rechargeable battery cells or batteries

Standard: IEC61960

CB Certification:Electric vehicle traction rechargeable batteries

Standards: IEC61982, IEC62660

CE Mark:Lithium batteries

Standard: EN62133

RoHS:Lithium batteries

Standard: IEC62321

REACH:Lithium batteries

Regulation: (EC)1907/2006

United Kingdom (UK)

ukca Mark:Lithium batteries

Standard: BS62133

United States (US)

UL certification:Lithium cells (ul1642), lithium batteries (ul2054), power batteries (UL2580), energy storage batteries (UL1973)

FCC Certification:Lithium batteries

Regulation: Part15B

Australia

C-Tick:Industrial rechargeable lithium batteries and cells

Standard: AS/IEC62619

Japan

PSE Mark:Lithium batteries/battery packs for portable electronic devices

Standard: J62133

South Korea

KC Mark:Lithium batteries/lithium cells

Standard: KC62133

Taiwan (China)

bsmi Certification:

3C rechargeable lithium power banks — CNS13438, CNS14336-1, CNS15364

3C rechargeable lithium batteries/battery packs (except button cells) — CNS15364

Lithium batteries/battery packs for electric locomotives/bicycles/assist bicycles — CNS15387, CNS15424-1, CNS15424-2

India

BIS Certification:

Nickel-based cells/batteries — IS16046(Part1):2018 / IEC6213301:2017

Lithium-based cells/batteries — IS16046(Part2):2018 / IEC6213301:2017

Saudi Arabia

saso certification:

Dry Batteries — SASO-269

Primary Cells — SASO-IEC-60086-1, SASO-IEC-60086-2, SASO-IEC-60086-3, SASO-IEC-60130-17

Secondary Cells and Batteries — SASO-IEC-60622, SASO-IEC-60623