About Batteries
Lithium metal batteries:
Are generally primary (non-rechargeable) batteries that have lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode. Also included within lithium metal are lithium alloy batteries. Lithium metal batteries are generally used to power devices such as watches, calculators, cameras, temperature data loggers, car key fobs and defibrillators.
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Note: Lithium metal batteries packed by themselves (not contained in or packed with equipment) (Packing Instruction 968) are forbidden for transport as cargo on passenger aircraft). In accordance with Special Provision A201, lithium metal cells or batteries that meet the quantity limits of Section II of PI 968 may be shipped on a passenger aircraft under an approval issued by the authority of the State of Origin, State of Destination and State of the Operator. All other lithium metal cells and batteries can only be shipped on a passenger aircraft under exemption issued by all States concerned, see Special Provision A201.
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Lithium-ion batteries:
(sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a secondary (rechargeable) battery where the lithium is only present in an ionic form in the electrolyte. Also included within the category of lithium-ion batteries are lithium polymer batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are generally used to power devices such as mobile telephones, laptop computers, tablets, power tools and e-bikes.
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Note: Lithium ion batteries packed by themselves (Packing Instruction 965) (not contained in or packed with equipment):
(a) must be shipped at a state of charge (SoC) not exceeding 30% of their rated capacity. Cells and/or batteries at a SoC of greater than 30% may only be shipped with the approval of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator under the written conditions established by those authorities, see Special Provision A331; and
(b) may be shipped as cargo on a passenger aircraft under an approval issued by the authority of the State of Origin, State of Destination and State of the Operator where the lithium ion cells or batteries that meet the quantity limits of Section II of PI 965. All other lithium ion cells and batteries can only be shipped as cargo on a passenger aircraft under exemption issued by all States concerned, see Special Provision A201.
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Cell means a single encased electrochemical unit (one positive and one negative electrode) which exhibits a voltage differential across its two terminals. Under the UN Model Regulations, UN Manual of Tests and Criteria and this guidance, to the extent the encased electrochemical unit meets the definition of “cell” herein, it is a “cell”, not a “battery”, regardless of whether the unit is termed a “battery” or a “single cell battery” outside of the UN Model Regulations, the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria and this guidance.
Prohibitions
Lithium ion batteries: All lithium ion cells and batteries shipped by themselves (UN 3480) are forbidden for transport as cargo on passenger aircraft. All packages prepared in accordance with Packing Instruction 965, Section IA, IB and II, must bear a Cargo Aircraft Only label, in addition to other required marks and/or labels.
Lithium metal batteries: All lithium metal cells and batteries shipped by themselves (UN 3090) are forbidden for transport as cargo on passenger aircraft. All packages prepared in accordance with Packing Instruction 968, Section IA, IB and II, must bear a Cargo Aircraft Only label, in addition to other required marks and/or labels.
Restrictions
Lithium ion batteries: All lithium ion cells and batteries (UN 3480 only) must be shipped at a state of charge (SoC) not exceeding 30% of their rated capacity. Cells and/or batteries at a SoC of greater than 30% may only be shipped with the approval of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator under the written conditions established by those authorities, see Special Provision A331.
Packing
PI 965 & PI 968 Section IA & IB:
UN 3090, lithium metal batteries prepared in accordance with Section IA or Section IB of PI 968 and UN 3480, lithium ion batteries prepared in accordance with Section IA or Section IB of PI 965 must not be packed in the same outer packaging with dangerous goods classified in Class 1 (explosives) other than Division 1.4S, Division 2.1 (flammable gases), Class 3 (flammable liquids), Division 4.1 (flammable solids) or Division 5.1 (oxidizers). Packages containing cells or batteries must not be placed in an overpack with packages containing dangerous goods classified in Class 1 other than Division 1.4S, Division 2.1, Class 3, Division 4.1 or Division 5.1.
PI 965 & PI 968 Section II:
Cells and batteries must not be packed in the same outer packaging with other dangerous goods. Shippers are restricted to offering one package per consignment. Packages and overpacks must be offered to the operator separately from other cargo and must not be loaded into a unit load device before being offered to the operator.
Overpack
Overpack means an enclosure used by a single shipper to contain one or more packages and to form one handling unit for convenience of handling and stowage. Dangerous goods packages contained in the overpack must be properly packed, marked, labelled and in proper condition as required by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
