The Dos and Don’ts of Shipping Lithium Batteries

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The Dos and Donts of Shipping Lithium Batteries
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Weve all heard of lithium batteries after all,
we use them in all our modern tech devices and
even in our cars. But have you ever realized that
lithium batteries are categorized as hazardous
cargo due to their higher energy density and
flammable electrolytes? According to the PHMSA,
lithium batteries pose a fire hazard, even when
they are no longer useful in consumer
equipment/products. Damaged, defective, or
recalled batteries have greater potential than
undamaged lithium batteries to short circuit,
release heat, or even cause a fire. Thus, the
PHMSA advises that appropriate precautions be
taken when shipping new lithium batteries or when
shipping used, damaged, or old lithium batteries
for disposal or recycling. Considering the high
possibility of the hazards associated with
shipping lithium batteries, the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) and the International Air
Transport Association (IATA) have both enacted
strict regulations for the transportation of
lithium batteries including packaging, marking,
and specific labeling requirements.
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What is a Lithium Battery?
The term lithium battery refers to one or more
lithium cells that are electrically connected. A
cell is a single encased electrochemical unit,
while a battery consists of multiple electrically
connected component cells. A battery can also
only be made up of a single cell, such as the
common AA, C, or coin cell. A lithium battery is
like other types of battery. The lithium battery
cells contain a positive electrode, a negative
electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte
solution. Atoms or molecules with a net electric
charge (ions) are transferred from a positive
electrode to a negative electrode through an
electrolyte solution. Lithium cells store and
release power by converting chemical potential
energy into electrical energy using lithium ions
or lithium metal. Electrolyte solutions allow
ions to flow freely between the electrodes.

• So, what should manufacturers of lithium
  batteries and consumer product manufacturers
  using pre-installed lithium batteries in products
  such as watches, smartphones, tablets, laptops,
  cars, and various other devices and equipment
  know about the transportation of lithium
  batteries?
• Understanding the dos and donts when shipping
  lithium batteries is important to adhere to the
  regulatory requirements while safeguarding the
  shipment, people, and environment from fire and
  explosion hazards. Thus, manufacturers of lithium
  batteries and those using lithium batteries as a
  component of their products must first identify
  the type and size of the lithium battery being
  transported, the categorization of lithium
  batteries, how the lithium battery will be
  transported, and the mode of transportation to be
  used.
• Lets check these points individually to gain a
  better understanding of the lithium battery
  transportation regulations which will guide on
  the dos and donts when shipping lithium
  batteries.

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1 Understand the type of lithium battery being
shipped
Manufacturers of lithium batteries and producers
of other goods utilizing lithium batteries as
their power source must first identify the type
of lithium battery lithium ion battery or
lithium metal battery.
What Is the Difference Between Lithium-ion and
Lithium Metal Batteries?
Lithium metal batteries contain metallic lithium
and are primarily non-rechargeable. They have
lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode.
Included in this group are lithium alloy
batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are
rechargeable, and lithium is only present in the
electrolyte in the ionic form. Included in the
lithium-ion category are lithium polymer
batteries. Lithium batteries are sometimes
abbreviated as Li-ion batteries.
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These two types of batteries are governed by
different shipping regulations and hence,
identifying the type of lithium battery being
shipped will enable the appropriate regulations
to be followed.
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2 Know the size of the lithium battery
The lithium battery size also impacts the dos and
donts of shipping lithium batteries. The DOT
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) specify the
labeling and marking requirements for not only
the different types of lithium batteries but also
for the different sizes. Furthermore, the size of
the lithium battery can also impact the decision
on the method of transportation highway, rail,
aircraft, or vessel. Lithium battery size is
measured in Watt Hour (Wh) for lithium ion
batteries and kilograms (kg) for lithium metal
batteries. This leads us to point 3, which
considers the transportation of lithium batteries
in terms of energy density and the classification
as applied by the DOT HMR.
3 Know the lithium battery classification
The regulations classify lithium batteries based
on their size as Fully Regulated or Excepted.
Lithium Batteries of a higher energy density
would fall within the fully-regulated category
and be subject to stricter regulations while
lower energy density lithium batteries may gain
excepted status and have lesser rules to comply
with during transportation. The categorization
status of lithium batteries also impacts the mode
of transportation that can be used in the
transfer of goods from one destination to another.
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Fully regulated lithium ion/metal cells or
batteries for the purposes of DOT regulations
include
Lithium ion cell or battery Lithium metal cell or battery
A cell with a Watt-hour rating greater than 20 Wh and A battery with a Watt-hour rating greater than 100 Wh. A cell with a lithium content greater than 1g and A battery with a lithium content greater than 2g.
Heres a good example of the regulatory
requirements changing according to the
categorization of lithium batteries for air
shipments of stand-alone lithium cells and
batteries. As of January 1, 2022, according to
IATA Packing Instructions 965 (lithium ion
batteries) and 968 (lithium metal batteries), all
shipments of stand-alone lithium cells and
batteries will be considered fully regulated and
will no longer be subject to Section II
provisions for excepted lithium cells and
batteries. Stand-alone lithium cells and
batteries can now be shipped under Section IA and
IB of PI 965 and 968.
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4 How will the lithium battery or batteries be
shipped
Another important aspect of shipping lithium
batteries is to identify how the lithium battery
will be shipped. For instance, will the lithium
battery be shipped separately (stand-alone), with
the machine or equipment (meaning in the same
outer packaging as the equipment), or inside the
device? The way that the lithium batteries are
going to be packed, labeled, marked, and the mode
of transportation that can be used is dependent
on how the lithium ion or metal batteries are
going to be shipped.
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• Important Note for air shipments of stand-alone
  lithium cells and batteries
• As of January 1, 2022, according to IATA Packing
  Instructions 965 (lithium ion batteries) and 968
  (lithium metal batteries), all shipments of
  stand-alone lithium cells and batteries will be
  considered fully regulated and will no longer be
  subject to Section II provisions for excepted
  lithium cells and batteries. Stand-alone lithium
  cells and batteries can now be shipped under
  Section IA and IB of PI 965 and 968.

5 Mode of Transportation Highway, Rail, Air,
or Vessel The mode of transportation also plays
an important aspect in the dos and donts of
shipping lithium batteries due it their capacity
to explode and the other unique hazards
associated with lithium battery transportation.
Thus, depending on the mode of transporting
lithium batteries either by air, water, or
ground, will impact the regulations that must be
followed by manufacturers. It is worth noting
that due to the size and categorization of the
lithium battery, some manufacturers may face
limited options for the transportation of lithium
batteries. For example, Lithium-ion cells that
exceed 20 Wh but do not exceed 60 Wh are
forbidden for transport aboard aircraft and
vessels. Thus, the only mode of transportation
available are highway and rail.
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Training for Shipping Lithium Ion/Lithium Metal
Cells or Batteries To fully understand the
regulatory requirements of shipping lithium cells
and batteries, we have several shipping lithium
battery training courses that comply with the DOT
HMR. For comprehensive training, enroll in our
online DOt, IATA, IMDG Shipping Lithium Batteries
- Advances General Awareness Training course. To
know more about our group virtual or in-person
training options as well as our SCORM package for
the Shipping Lithium Batteries courses, call us
or email us and we will get back to you within
24-hours! Reference IATA. (2021, August 13).
What to know about how to ship lithium batteries?
Website. https//www.iata.org/en/publications/news
letters/iata-knowledge-hub/what-to-know-about-how-
to-ship-lithium-batteries/
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Contact US!
1-866-429-6742 https//hazwoper-osha.com/ info_at_
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