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What are lithium batteries?

They’re the little bundles of power that keep our world connected. Rechargeable lithium ion batteries keep our laptops and mobile phones running. Non rechargeable metal lithium batteries power our watches and remote car keys.

Why are they dangerous goods?

In a word? Fire.

Increasingly powerful, lithium batteries are designed to keep devices running for hours or days at a time. To achieve this, they contain high levels of electric energy. If packed incorrectly or damaged in transit, lithium batteries can short-circuit, causing them to overheat and catch fire.

 

Poor quality and counterfeit batteries are most at risk because they haven’t been through the
rigorous testing required.

Where are they found?

The top 10 most popular shipments containing lithium batteries are:

1. Laptops and tablets

2. iPhones and iPads

3. Mobile phones

4. Measuring equiment

5. Medical devices

6. Hoverboards

7. Electric bicycles

8. Power tools

9. Automated External
Defibrillators

10. Drones

Do I need to declare my shipment?

It really depends on what you’re shipping.
 

  

 
"I’m shipping lithium
batteries without a device."


Yes, you’ll need to declare your shipment.
Give us a call.

  

 
"I’m shipping lithium batteries and
a device in the same package."


This will need declaring as well.
                Call us.                


 
"I’m shipping a device with a lithium battery inside."


You don’t need to declare it if you comply
              with the guidelines below.               

Lithium ion
batteries

Mobile phones and laptops contain one lithium ion battery, so they can be shipped as normal. However, larger shipments or products like e-bikes or hoverboards will exceed the guidelines.

The guidelines:
  • Batteries must be inside the device
  • Cells (the components that make up batteries) must not exceed 20 wh*
  • Batteries must not exceed 100 wh
  • Batteries must not weigh more
    than 5 kg
  • No more than two batteries or four cells per package
  • No more than two packages per shipment

*A watt hour (wh) is a measure of electrical energy for one watt working for one hour. It should be clearly marked on your lithium batteries.

Lithium metal
batteries

Typically, cells up to a double A size will be good
to go as normal. However, C and D cells will
usually exceed the guidelines.

The guidelines:
  • Batteries must be inside the device
  • Lithium content must not
    exceed 1 gram
  • Equipment containing lithium batteries must not exceed 2 kg
  • Batteries must not weigh
    more than 5 kg
  • No more than two batteries or four cells per package
  • No more than two packages per shipment




     

Great, my device complies. What next?

You’re free to send your shipment without attaching any dangerous goods labels. Just make sure you follow the guidelines below.

The guidelines:
  • No labels required
  • Use strong outer packaging able to
    withstand a 1.2 m drop
  • The device must not be able to move or turn on in transit
  • Exposed terminals should be covered to protect against short circuit
  • Goods must be declared on the
    consignment note correctly
  • Start shipping

*It’s forbidden to transport anything by air containing a lithium battery that’s been identified as potentially damaged in any way, without the permission of the relevant national authority.

Where can I find more details?

You can download our comprehensive PDF guide to shipping lithium batteries. Alternatively, you can just get in touch with us. 

Download PDF

Whose responsibility is all this?

It’s the shipper’s responsibility to ensure dangerous goods are correctly declared, packed and labelled with the right documentation for the countries of origin, transit and destination.

 

What we can do is make it as easy as possible for you to follow these rules. With a bit of teamwork, we’ll get your dangerous goods shipped in no time.

Any questions?

If you have any doubts about whether your shipment is classified as dangerous goods or not, just get in touch with our experts using the button below. They’re on hand to answer all your dangerous goods questions – and will walk you through the shipping process.

Get expert advice

Relevant links

Commercial Invoice
Packing your shipment