Sending Lithium Batteries Overseas

Many products like laptops, smartwatches and cameras use lithium batteries to power them. These batteries are classed as ‘Dangerous Goods’ because they can, under certain circumstances, catch fire on a cargo plane.

The Shipper of Record on a DHL Express shipment waybill is legally responsible for ensuring 100% compliance with dangerous goods regulations. Preferred Shipping can help you ensure that your shipments comply.

Packaging

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to packaging lithium batteries for shipping. Firstly, they need to be correctly packaged and labeled. This will help to ensure that anyone handling them knows that they are dangerous and what to do if there is any problem.

This is very important, as it helps to prevent accidents. For example, if a lithium battery overheats it can cause fires that are very difficult to put out, and can also produce toxic gases. This is why it’s so important to follow the correct packaging guidelines when sending lithium batteries overseas.

If you’re using air freight to ship lithium batteries, you’ll need to use a special box designed for them. These boxes can be purchased from sending lithium batteries overseas most packaging suppliers. The specialised boxes have an inner foam insert which keeps the batteries secure and prevents them from moving around during transit.

You can also send lithium batteries by sea freight, but they must be packed in a hard plastic case. This is because these types of batteries are more likely to corrode or leak in damp conditions. In addition, sea freight limitations on lithium batteries are less strict than those for air freight. You’ll need to complete a Dangerous Goods Contract in order to ship them by air or sea.

Documentation

As you can imagine, there are specific requirements when shipping lithium batteries and other types of batteries by air or sea. This is because these products are considered dangerous goods and must follow strict guidelines imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other freight carriers.

These guidelines dictate how the batteries are packaged and how they are shipped. For example, they must be fully charged and must have a protective covering to prevent short circuiting. They must also be labeled correctly and have a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD).

If you’re packing batteries in your luggage or household goods shipment for your PCS move, it’s important to make sure your TSP knows you have them so they can provide proper packaging and guidance on how to ship them overseas. Your TSP may require you to identify the type and size of batteries you have during your pre-move survey.

Generally, if the battery isn’t packaged and labeled properly, it will be denied entry at an airport or other ports of call. This can cause delays and potentially result in fines or other penalties. To avoid this, work with a trusted partner to ensure your batteries are shipped safely and compliantly. This is one of the most critical aspects of planning your shipment, as a wrong step can be costly.

Waybills

Lithium batteries are used in a number of devices including mobile phones, laptops, tablets and e-bikes. As a result, they are classed as dangerous goods and shipped according to strict regulations. These regulations are mainly in place to prevent fires on board aircrafts and ships as they travel through hot and humid weather.

Whether lithium batteries are shipped as stand alone cells or contained within equipment, they must pass a range of tests to ensure that they can be safely transported across the globe. These include a watt-hour test and a crash test, which measures the battery’s ability to withstand impact from any direction. In addition to passing the test, packages containing lithium batteries must also meet specific packing guidelines and be marked clearly as hazardous goods.

The shipper is responsible for ensuring that their shipment complies with all relevant rules and regulations. The shipper must declare the correct details of the package in the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods and provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which records the physical and chemical properties of a shipment.

Getting your shipment ready for shipping can be a complex process. It’s important to focus on 3 main factors – documentation, packaging and labels. Once you’re sending lithium batteries overseas all set, use Easyship to get a quote from our network of trusted couriers.

Safety

Because of their potential to cause fires, lithium batteries are a hazmat (hazardous materials) item. This means that they are subject to strict regulations and safety guidelines during the handling, shipping and transportation process. It is important that they are packed and prepared for shipment properly, and that they have the proper labels to be compliant with shipping requirements. These batteries are also prone to thermal runaway, which can cause them to overheat and catch fire. To minimize this risk, you should package the batteries in advanced protective packaging from Obexion.

For businesses in the US, it is important to comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) standards for preparing shipments that contain lithium batteries or cells. They must also follow the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air or the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, depending on their mode of transport.

In addition, some airlines and couriers may require you to sign a dangerous goods contract for the shipment of lithium batteries or cells. This requirement is on a case-by-case basis, and depends on whether the batteries or cells are being shipped standalone, contained in equipment, or as spares in a device. Once you have all the correct documents in place, you can safely send your lithium batteries overseas via air or sea freight.