Your Questions Answered: What Do I Need to Ship Batteries By Air?
- By Mike Bond
- 28 feb 2013
As a hazardous material shipping professional, it's your duty to ensure materials reach their destination intact and with no injury to your staff or customer. When it comes to transportation of lithium batteries, particularly shipping batteries by air, that duty is underscored: Overheating and self ignition of these batteries common in everything from cameras to mobility scooters has been blamed for a series of air accidents in recent years.
You may have read about the risk and the need to be cautious during transportation of lithium batteries, but still wonder, what packaging can actually prevent short circuits and fires?
Fortunately, shipping packaging manufacturers have heeded the warnings surrounding lithium battery dangers and there are many products out there designed to let you ship lithium batteries safely and economically. Follow this step-by-step checklist and you'll be ready to ship batteries by air safely and securely.
Before you can take the proper measures to safely package and ship batteries by air, you need to understand the regulations surrounding lithium battery shipping and why they're in place.
The risk surrounding lithium batteries centers on self-ignition. When mishandled, allowed to overheat or otherwise caused to short circuit, lithium batteries can self-ignite. The subsequent heat can trigger a chain reaction of combustion among nearby batteries, resulting in catastrophic loss.
The reaction may even be more likely when shipping batteries by air, due to high temperatures on some cargo planes.
As a result, the International Air Transport Association has come up with very specific regulations surrounding shipping of lithium batteries. Most requirements center on three areas:
According to IATA regulations, proper packaging of lithium batteries involves individually packing each of the batteries in an inner packaging inside an outer packaging that completely surrounds the cells and batteries. If batteries are contained in equipment, the equipment should be packaged in a manner that prevents unintentional activation or should have an independent means of preventing unintentional activation. Abide the regulation by:
Per IATA regulations, lithium cells and batteries “must be packed in inner packagings that completely enclose the cell or battery then placed in a strong outer packaging.” That outer packaging should be able to withstand a 1.2m drop test without damaging the batteries or shifting of the contents. Meet the requirement by:
According to IATA, individual packages meeting the basic rules for transportation of lithium batteries may be placed in an overpack. The overpack must be marked with the word “Overpack” and labeled with the lithium battery label, except for in cases where the labels inside the overpack are visible. Comply with the rules by:
Don't take chances. Complying with IATA rules is simple. Follow these easy steps to prevent safety issues when shipping batteries by air and keep your staff, clients and your business protected.
You may have read about the risk and the need to be cautious during transportation of lithium batteries, but still wonder, what packaging can actually prevent short circuits and fires?
Fortunately, shipping packaging manufacturers have heeded the warnings surrounding lithium battery dangers and there are many products out there designed to let you ship lithium batteries safely and economically. Follow this step-by-step checklist and you'll be ready to ship batteries by air safely and securely.
Understanding the Rules
Before you can take the proper measures to safely package and ship batteries by air, you need to understand the regulations surrounding lithium battery shipping and why they're in place.
The risk surrounding lithium batteries centers on self-ignition. When mishandled, allowed to overheat or otherwise caused to short circuit, lithium batteries can self-ignite. The subsequent heat can trigger a chain reaction of combustion among nearby batteries, resulting in catastrophic loss.
The reaction may even be more likely when shipping batteries by air, due to high temperatures on some cargo planes.
As a result, the International Air Transport Association has come up with very specific regulations surrounding shipping of lithium batteries. Most requirements center on three areas:
- Creating packaging barriers between batteries;
- Using top-grade, durable and resistant outer materials;
- And clearly marking batteries for shipment.
Internal Packaging To Ship Batteries By Air
According to IATA regulations, proper packaging of lithium batteries involves individually packing each of the batteries in an inner packaging inside an outer packaging that completely surrounds the cells and batteries. If batteries are contained in equipment, the equipment should be packaged in a manner that prevents unintentional activation or should have an independent means of preventing unintentional activation. Abide the regulation by:
- Covering loose battery terminals with an insulating cap or electrical tape, if the battery isn't already contained by protective packaging.
- Wrapping batteries individually, either in high-quality bubble wrap or poly vinyl plastic bags for example, to keep them from contacting metal or other batteries.
External Protection For Shipping Batteries By Air
Per IATA regulations, lithium cells and batteries “must be packed in inner packagings that completely enclose the cell or battery then placed in a strong outer packaging.” That outer packaging should be able to withstand a 1.2m drop test without damaging the batteries or shifting of the contents. Meet the requirement by:
- Shipping in 1A2 steel drums when appropriate.
- Shipping in 4G U.N.-certified boxes that have been thoroughly tested and proven to withstand impact.
Appropriate Labeling of Lithium Battery Shipments
According to IATA, individual packages meeting the basic rules for transportation of lithium batteries may be placed in an overpack. The overpack must be marked with the word “Overpack” and labeled with the lithium battery label, except for in cases where the labels inside the overpack are visible. Comply with the rules by:
- Using visible, durable overpack shipping labels; this helps those who are shipping your products be aware of the contents and take whatever extra precautions needed.
Don't take chances. Complying with IATA rules is simple. Follow these easy steps to prevent safety issues when shipping batteries by air and keep your staff, clients and your business protected.
