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Lithium Batteries as Freight in Air Transport - Changes since April 2016.

Bad Birnbach, April 18, 2016 – Due to their potential as a fire and explosion risk, lithium batteries and cells require particular attention to complex regulations relating to transport (including packaging, loading and shipment). Accordingly, there have been new binding regulations from the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation)/IATA (International Air Transport Association) in effect since April 1, 2016 for shippers and packagers of lithium ion batteries (UN3480) and lithium metal batteries (UN3090):

Lithium ion batteries (UN3480) (including lithium ion polymer batteries):

• Limited charge: They must not exceed a charge of 30%. This does not include batteries enclosed with or installed within accessories.
• Limited package quantities: For batteries packaged in accordance with Section II of Packing Instruction 965 (only batteries), the shipper must not send more than one Section II package per shipment (this corresponds to 2.5 kg net weight!).
• Repackaging: Shipments with lithium-ion batteries in accordance with Section II of Packing Instruction 965 may only contain one Section II package – 8 cells or 2 batteries (only batteries) – when repackaged.

Lithium metal batteries (UN3090) (including lithium alloy batteries):

• Limited package quantities: The shipper must also not send more than one Section II package per shipment for batteries packaged in accordance with Section II of Packing Instruction 968 (only batteries).
• Shipments with lithium metal batteries in accordance with Section II of Packing Instruction 968 may only contain one package.

Separate shipment of batteries: The shipper must dispatch shipments containing such UN3080 / UN3480 lithium batteries (only batteries) as freight separately from other shipped goods. A document must also be enclosed with every shipment specifying that the shipped item contains lithium-ion cells or batteries.

Where shipments consist of packaged items with lithium batteries and normal (unrestricted) freight, the number of packaged items with lithium batteries must be specified on the air waybill. If this specification is missing, the entire shipment will be declared with shipment items with lithium batteries. The FBDi also advises that where information specified in the air waybill is not consistent with the labelling of hazardous goods shipments, these cannot be accepted for air cargo transport.

Additionaly, a new addition since April 1, 2016 is a transitional ban imposed by the Governing Council of the ICAO on the transport of lithium-ion batteries as freight on passenger aircraft. This does not include lithium-ion batteries in the electronic devices of passengers or crew.

Information about FBDI
Wolfram Ziehfuss, CEO, Mayrweg 5, 84364 Bad Birnbach, Germany
ph. +49 (0) 8563 9788 908; Mailto w.ziehfuss@fbdi.de

Media contact
Agentur Lorenzoni GmbH, Public Relations, Beate Lorenzoni-Felber, Landshuter Str. 29, 85435 Erding
ph. +49 (0) 8122 55917-0, Mailto beate@lorenzoni.de