A guide to shipping lithium-ion batteries

Moving consignments that include lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is a challenging area, with an increasing awareness that including such items in private shipments can increase the
risk of fire. While there is no single, harmonised global position on shipping these items safely, new regulations are already impacting on movers working across international boundaries. FIDI has begun a dialogue with other organisations and has started putting together a FIDINET resource page on this important subject.
Santa Fe has shared useful guidelines for shipping items containing Li-ion batteries of less than 100 Watt hours (Wh), pointing out that batteries with a rating above 100Wh ‘must not be packed for removal or storage under any circumstances’. Items for which the Wh rating is unknown should also not be packed for shipping.
Its advice is:

1. All batteries and items containing batteries (of any kind) must be free of physical defects or faults and, where possible and applicable, must be disconnected.
2. Goods containing batteries must not be stacked on top of one another in a box; they must always be packed and stored to allow air circulation.
3. Batteries must be depleted. If you are storing devices long term, it is best not to store them with a full charge. Aim for 50-60 per cent. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines, as there may be minimum charge requirements.
4. Use original manufacturer’s packaging. If possible, goods containing lithium batteries should be in the original packaging designed to protect the battery.
5. You should never pack more than five items containing Li-ion batteries, even if criteria 1-4 have been met. Batteries stored together increase the risk of overheating and combustion.

Santa Fe highlights that its guidance is only applicable to shipments by sea and road, with all battery types of any size prohibited from air transport.

Documentation do’s and don’ts
Here are some further tips to ensure goods are correctly covered for shipping, taken from the recent Pan American International Movers’ Association workshop on the issue.

Do:

• Know your resources for assistance (local freight forwarder, DG provider used for certification, SSL, etc).
• Obtain all documentation necessary before submitting an International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) request.
• Submit a preliminary IMDG document to the steamship line (SSL) for approval.
• Make sure you have dangerous goods (DG) approvals in place from the airline/SSL before packing the goods.
• For vehicles, make sure you include the year/make/ model/serial number or VIN number/accurate weight on your IMDG.
• If you get a rejection from an SSL you can always try another SSL.
• Know your resources for assistance (local freight forwarder, DG provider used for certification, SSL, etc).

Don’t

• Assume the SSL will approve the shipment. Remember, they have the final say about what is accepted on their vessel.
• Separate the battery from the device, as that changes the classification and the rules.
• Assume the packaging agents have a certified individual on their staff and the goods are packed correctly. Certain items may require specific packing and labelling.

Finally, here are some general best practices that your company can introduce today:

• As a general rule: clients should not ship Li-ion batteries in consignments of household goods. If they absolutely need to do so, these batteries may need to be declared as hazardous cargo. Clients should be reminded that this can lead to surcharges, inspections and delays, and other complications
• Classify right: make sure lithium batteries are declared correctly.
• Declare: failure to declare Li-ion batteries in a cargo (intentional or not) is taken very seriously. It can lead to fines of up to USC30,000, and the cargo being confiscated and disposed of.
• Communicate: many customers do not understand that shipping items such as electric bicycles, scooters and hoverboards are restricted, so it’s important to manage expectations by raising awareness and educating clients.
• Check your chain: before you agree to ship Li-ion batteries, ensure your supply chain is happy to as well. Some carriers won’t accept Li-ion shipments.
• Do the maths: make sure you and your clients are familiar with any costs that could arise from shipping Li-ion.
• Pack well: use UN-certified packaging materials for shipping dangerous goods and ensure you meet the requirements stated in the new rules.
• Label correctly: ensure all labels reflect any new regulatory classifications.
• Insure: it’s vital that your clients are properly insured for shipping items containing Li-ion batteries. You need to understand your own company’s liability, too.
• Review regularly: keep up to date with the latest revisions of the IATA, IMDG, and other regulations covering the areas in which you are shipping.
• Ask an expert: specialists in hazardous materials or regulatory authorities can help your business navigate new regulations.
• Train staff: ensure your employees can identify and know protocols for handling hazardous items.

Thanks to Santa Fe and PAIMA for their cooperation in putting together this article. Look out for the resource page, currently in progress, on FIDINET, which will contain further information and useful links on the topic