What is a UN 38.3 Battery Test Report

Views :

Update time : 2026-09-23

Lithium batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries and lithium metal batteries), due to their high energy density, may experience internal short circuits and thermal runaway if subjected to external stimuli like squeezing, collision, or high temperatures during transportation, which can lead to safety accidents.

To unify the safety standards for the global transportation of lithium batteries, the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN TDG) formulated the un38.3 standard. Currently, it has become a "mandatory access requirement" for the import and export transportation of global lithium batteries and products containing lithium batteries (such as mobile phones, laptops, power banks, power tools, etc.).

What is un38.3 certification?

UN38.3 refers to Section 38.3 of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manual of Tests and Criteria. It is a mandatory test standard established for the transportation safety of lithium batteries. After passing the tests, an accredited laboratory will issue a report to ensure that lithium batteries can withstand various potential hazards during transportation, thereby guaranteeing transport safety.

UN38.3 Execution Standards

ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.8 (With CNAS Qualification)
ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.7 (With CNAS Qualification)

un38.3 test Content

Test Item	Test Conditions	Compliance Standard
T.1 Altitude Simulation	Pressure ≤11.6kPa, temperature 20±5℃, maintained for more than 6h	No leakage, no venting, no fire, no explosion
T.2 Thermal Test	Alternating cycles of 75±2℃ and -40±2℃, 10 cycles	No structural damage, no thermal runaway
T.3 Vibration	7Hz-200Hz logarithmic sweep sine vibration, 15 minutes/cycle, 3 times	No loosening, no leakage, no electrical fault
T.4 Shock	150g/6ms or 50g/11ms half-sine shock, 3 times in each of the 6 directions	No rupture, no fire, no leakage
T.5 External Short Circuit	55±2℃, external resistance <0.1Ω, short circuit until 1h after temperature recovery	No explosion, no combustion, effluents are non-toxic/non-flammable
T.6 Impact / Crush	9.1kg weight dropped from a height of 61cm (including 15.8mm round bar buffer)	No abnormal temperature rise, no structural failure
T.7 Overcharge	2 times the rated charge current, 2 times the rated voltage, lasting for 24h	No thermal runaway, no swelling
T.8 Forced Discharge	Reverse 1 time the rated discharge current, lasting until 1h after battery voltage ≤0V	No fire, no explosion

Sample Requirements

UN Test for Cells: The total number of cell samples must not be less than 40.
UN Certification for Battery Packs: A minimum of 18 battery packs and 30 cells are required.

Core Content and Requirements of the Report

Basic Information: Report number, date, validity period, and laboratory qualifications (requires UN recognition or authoritative qualifications like CNAS).
Sample Information: Battery model, chemical system, rated capacity / voltage / Wh, number of cells, weight, and sample status (e.g., fully charged).
Test Details: Conditions for each test, process data (such as temperature, pressure, time), original records, and result determination.
Conclusion: Clear indication of whether it meets the UN38.3 standard requirements and whether it has passed all test items.
Additional Documents: Often used in conjunction with an msds (Material Safety Data Sheet), transport appraisal certificate (air/sea freight), packaging drop test report (1.2-meter drop), etc.

Application Process and Key Precautions

1. Application Process

Prepare Samples: Provide representative samples (cells, battery packs, quantity as required by the laboratory) and technical specifications.
Select a Laboratory: Give priority to third-party laboratories with UN recognition and CNAS qualifications.
Testing and Rectification: Complete all 8 tests. Any non-compliant items require design rectification (such as improving the protection board or cell selection) before retesting.
Issue Report: After passing the tests, the laboratory issues an official report that can be used for transportation compliance declaration.

2. Precautions

Transport Classification: Lithium battery transportation is divided into UN3480 (Lithium-ion batteries), UN3090 (Lithium metal batteries), UN3481 (Lithium batteries contained in equipment), and UN3091 (Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment). The report must correspond to the correct UN number.
Batch Consistency: The report is only valid for the submitted batch. Mass production must be consistent with the submitted samples; otherwise, you may face compliance risks.
Supporting Documents: A UN38.3 report alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by a transport appraisal certificate, MSDS, packaging declaration of conformity, etc., depending on the specific requirements of the carrier and destination country.