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UN approved: Lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries pose risks during transport, making strict UN-certified packaging mandatory. Faes offers solutions that meet these standards and ensure safe, sustainable and compliant battery shipping.
Summary of this article
Lithium-ion batteries pose risks during transport due to their high energy density. Damage, short circuits, defects or incorrect packaging can cause overheating and, in the most severe cases, thermal runaway, potentially resulting in a fire that spreads to surrounding cells. Safe transport therefore requires correct classification, packaging, marking and handling throughout the entire logistics chain.
The correct UN number is determined by the type of battery and the way in which it is transported. Stand-alone lithium-ion batteries fall under UN 3480, while batteries transported with equipment or contained in equipment generally fall under UN 3481. This classification determines which packaging instructions, labels, documentation and transport conditions apply. The requirements also differ by mode of transport, including road, sea and air freight.
For procurement, quality and logistics, this means that a visible UN marking on a case does not automatically prove that every battery can be transported safely and in compliance with the applicable regulations. Certification applies to the specific combination of outer packaging, interior and contents that has actually been tested. For every application, the UN number, the battery’s condition and specifications, the relevant packaging instruction and the selected mode of transport must therefore be verified. Only then can a demonstrably safe solution be created that prevents delays, incidents and rejection during transport.
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The correct UN number is determined by the type of battery and the way in which it is transported. Stand-alone lithium-ion batteries fall under UN 3480, while batteries transported with equipment or contained in equipment generally fall under UN 3481. This classification determines which packaging instructions, labels, documentation and transport conditions apply. The requirements also differ by mode of transport, including road, sea and air freight.
For procurement, quality and logistics, this means that a visible UN marking on a case does not automatically prove that every battery can be transported safely and in compliance with the applicable regulations. Certification applies to the specific combination of outer packaging, interior and contents that has actually been tested. For every application, the UN number, the battery’s condition and specifications, the relevant packaging instruction and the selected mode of transport must therefore be verified. Only then can a demonstrably safe solution be created that prevents delays, incidents and rejection during transport.
The risks of transporting Li-Ion batteries
Is a lithium-ion battery dangerous?
Lithium-ion batteries are part of our daily lives and play an important role in society. Examples include the battery in your smartphone or laptop, as well as batteries used in power tools, medical equipment and vehicles. It is therefore easy to imagine that they are also transported in large quantities.
If lithium-ion batteries become damaged or defective, are exposed to a short circuit or are packaged incorrectly, they can overheat. In the most serious cases, this can cause a phenomenon known as thermal runaway: a self-sustaining rise in temperature that can lead to fire and spread to adjacent cells. Correct classification, packaging, marking and handling are therefore essential during transport.
Sources: Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), UNECE/ADR and IATA.
UN number
Lithium-ion batteries are classified as dangerous goods for transport. The correct UN number is determined by the type of battery and the way in which it is offered for transport. Lithium-ion batteries transported separately generally fall under UN 3480. Lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment or packed with equipment generally fall under UN 3481.
The UN number is the starting point for determining the applicable packaging, marking, labelling and documentation requirements. The mode of transport does not determine the UN number, but it does affect which regulations must be followed. Road transport is governed by ADR, sea transport by the IMDG Code and air transport by the applicable aviation regulations. The condition and capacity of the battery, as well as the way in which it is packaged, may also affect the requirements.
For the transport of lithium-ion batteries, Faes offers selected SKB 3i cases with a suitable interior and, where required, a UN-certified packaging configuration. The complete combination of the case, interior, closure, contents and maximum permitted gross weight is assessed.
Only when this specific packaging configuration has passed the prescribed tests and has been certified may it carry the corresponding UN packaging mark. A UN mark therefore does not mean that every SKB 3i case is suitable for every lithium-ion battery or every mode of transport. The correct application must always be assessed based on the UN number, the condition of the battery, the relevant packing instruction and the selected mode of transport.
SKB 3i Series: Injection Molded Mil-Standard Waterproof Cases
The SKB 3i Series has been designed for demanding applications. The cases are manufactured from high-strength polypropylene copolymer resin and feature a gasket that provides a watertight and dustproof seal. According to SKB, these properties comply with MIL-STD-810H, and the cases are resistant to corrosion and impact damage.
These robust characteristics make the SKB 3i Series suitable as the basis for a durable transport packaging solution. When transporting lithium-ion batteries, a suitable interior is always required, as well as a certified packaging configuration where prescribed by the regulations. The interior must, among other things, protect the batteries against movement, damage and contact that could cause a short circuit.
Additional precautions for defective or damaged batteries
Defective, leaking, swollen or fire-damaged lithium-ion batteries pose a higher risk. They must not automatically be transported in the same packaging as new or undamaged batteries. According to the ILT, defective or damaged lithium batteries may not be transported by air. Additional conditions apply to transport by road or sea, and special packaging in accordance with, for example, packing instruction P908 may be required. The condition of the battery should therefore always be assessed before it is packaged and transported.
Read more here about transporting hazardous liquids in UN-approved packaging.
Would you like to know more about lithium-ion batteries and UN-certified packaging?
Ask one of our packaging experts. They will be happy to advise you on the current legislation and regulations relating to dangerous goods and their transport. Because the requirements depend on factors including the battery type, UN number, condition of the battery, packaging configuration and mode of transport, they will always assess the complete transport situation.
Leave a message using the contact form below or contact us directly. To learn more, visit our Lithium-ion packaging page.
Michel Prins is Account Manager at Faes and a specialist in Safety & Security. Thanks to his background at the Ministry of Defense and years of experience in the sector, he advises organizations on reliable packaging solutions for critical applications. He combines practical knowledge with technical expertise to package sensitive equipment safely and efficiently.
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