Solar street light with Lithium battery shipment

Detailed classification criteria of lithium battery

If your product does not have a hazardous characteristics classification identification report. You can ask the questions below to confirm which standards your products should be shipped to. This article mainly talks about the different classifications of lithium ion batteries. The classification of lithium metal batteries is also similar. If your product falls into this category, please contact professionals or us for detailed information.

STEP 1 – What Type Of Battery/Cell Are You Shipping?

Lithium ion batteries or cells are rechargeable (secondary) lithium ion or lithium polymer cells or batteries. These are very commonly found in portable consumer electronics such as laptops, mobile phones, MP3 players, camcorders, cordless power tools, etc. And these all belong to UN3480 or UN3481. For Lithium metal batteries or cells, they are different from above, and they are belong to UN3090 or UN3091.

STEP 2 – How Are You Shipping Them?

Lithium lon battery/cells only, or Battery/cells packed with equipments(separately in the same package), or Batteries / cells contained in equipment. For different types, the requirement are different.

STEP 3 – What ls The Capacity (Watt Hour* (Wh) Rating) Of Your Lithium lon Battery/Cell?

The Watt Hours must be indicated on the outside of the battery, for batteries manufactured as of January 2009. It includes laptops, mobile phones and other small consumer electronics which have batteries with less than 100 Watt Hours (except perhaps some extra duration batteries). Or we can use the formula Ampere Hours x Voltage in case the Watt Hour rating is not marked on the battery or equipments.  For Cells ≤ 20 Wh or Batteries ≤ 100 Wh Or Cells ≤ 20 Wh or Batteries ≤ 100 Wh, the requirement are different.

PS: A cell is a single encased electrochemical unit. And a battery is a number of cells electrically connected to each other and packed together in a common housing.

STEP 4 – How many cells or batteries does your package contain in total?

For the Cells less than 20Wh or batteries less than 100Wh, and the batteries are packaged with equipment. Please check to see the quantity of cells and batteries. For ≤4 Cells or ≤2 Batteries Or >4 Cells or >2 Batteries, the requirements are different.

By check these questions, you will find the requirements for shipping your goods/lighting fixtures with Lithium ion batteries. Please check below.

Requirements/instructions for lithium battery shipments

Both lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries have specific requirements during transportation because they are hazardous materials. Different transportation methods have different transportation requirements for lithium-ion batteries (lithium metal batteries are not introduced). For road/rail, please check the standard of ADR/RID. For sea freight, please check IMDG Code. For air freight, please check IATA DGR. The following are some common transportation requirements: According to different transportation methods (such as land transportation, air transport, sea transport, etc.), may have different restrictions and regulations. For example, airlines may have restrictions on the number and size of lithium batteries and may require special measures to ensure safety. Taking air freight (solar street light, solar flood light and other device includeing battery) as an example, the following are some of the requirements.

	Cells/Batterys	Classification	Packing instruction	Maximum net quantity per package	Label and marking
Lithium Ion Batteries	Cells ≤ 20 Wh or Batteries ≤100 Wh	UN3480	PI965-Section IB	10KG Cargo only
	Cells > 20 Wh or Batteries >100 Wh	UN3480	PI965-Section IA	35KG Cargo only
Lithium Ion Batteries Packed with Equipment	Cells ≤ 20 Wh or Batteries ≤100 Wh	UN3481	PI966-Section II	Pax A/C = 5 kg CAO = 5 kg
	Cells > 20 Wh or Batteries >100 Wh	UN3481	PI966-Section I	Pax A/C = 5 kg CAO = 35 kg
Lithium Ion Batteries Contained in Equipment	Cells ≤ 20 Wh or Batteries ≤100 Wh	UN3481	PI966-Section II	Pax A/C = 5 kg CAO = 5 kg
	Cells > 20 Wh or Batteries >100 Wh	UN3481	PI966-Section I	Pax A/C = 5 kg CAO = 35 kg

Packaging Requirements

One of the major risks associated with shipping batteries and battery-powered equipment is short circuiting the battery due to contact between battery terminals and other batteries, metal objects, or conductive surfaces. Packaged batteries or cells must be separated to prevent short circuits and damage to terminals. In addition they must be packed in a strong rigid outer packaging. Large equipment can be offered for transport unpackaged or on pallets when the cells or batteries are afforded equivalent protection by the equipment in which they are contained.

Labeling requirements

When go with lithium battery shipment, their contents and hazards must be correctly labeled on the packaging. This often requires specific labeling on the packaging, including warning signs and hazardous material markings. The lithium battery mark is required as specified in the additional requirements of Section II of Packing Instructions 966, 967, 969 and 970. It is also required as specified in the additional requirements of Section IB of Packing Instructions 965 and 968 in addition to the Class 9 lithium battery hazard label and Cargo Aircraft Only label. The mark (see below) is as shown in Below. Place for UN number(s), i.e. UN 3090, UN 3091, UN 3480 and/or UN 3481, as applicable. The UN number(s) indicated on the mark should be at least 12 mm high.

Documentation Requirements

For international shipments, specific documentation and supporting documentation may be required, such as dangerous goods declarations, safety data sheets, and shipping documents. These documents help ensure compliance during transportation and provide necessary information to carriers and transportation agencies. These documents include MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS), UN38.3 test report and transportation identification certificate, etc. ZGSM’s solar street lights have these certifications, which can ensure the safety of our lamps during transportation. Below we explain each report one by one.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS): This is a detailed safety data sheet that provides information about the chemical composition, physical properties, hazards, safe operating instructions, emergency measures, etc. of lithium batteries. The MSDS is designed to provide users and handlers with the necessary safety information to ensure safety during handling and transportation.

UN38.3 test report: This refers to a test report that complies with Article 38.3 of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. UN38.3 testing is a series of tests performed on lithium batteries to evaluate their safety during transportation. These tests usually include vibration testing, temperature cycle testing, pressure testing, etc. to ensure that the battery can be transported safely under various conditions. In the test report, relevant content includes manufacturer information, laboratory information, battery information (including battery type, mass, ampere-hours, battery description – name and model, etc.), test results and report date, etc.

Identification and classification report for Air/Sea transport of goods: This is a report issued by a national or international transportation agency confirming that lithium batteries meet transportation safety standards and regulations. This is usually documented by testing and evaluating the battery to demonstrate compliance with relevant shipping requirements and standards.