How do you ship lithium batteries or cells from China?

Q: How do you ship lithium batteries or cells from China?

Lithium batteries are Class 9 dangerous goods. Cells and batteries shipped on their own are UN3480; the same cells packed with or installed in equipment are UN3481. Moving them legally needs a UN38.3 test summary from the cell manufacturer, a safety data sheet, a dangerous goods declaration, compliant packing and marking, and a booking on a carrier and vessel that accepts DG. Most forwarders quote it and then decline once they see the classification, which is why lithium shipments stall at booking rather than at the factory.

The classification decides everything

Lithium-ion cells and batteries carried on their own are UN3480. The same cells packed with equipment, or installed in it, are UN3481. Lithium-metal equivalents are UN3090 and UN3091. All are Class 9.

The classification drives the packing, the marking, the paperwork and which vessels will take the container. Getting it wrong at booking is the usual cause of a shipment sitting at origin.

What the factory has to give you

A UN38.3 test summary for the exact cell, issued by the cell manufacturer or the test house. This is the document that most often does not exist for a cheap cell, and it cannot be produced retrospectively.

A safety data sheet, and packing that matches the classification — including the correct marks and labels on each package and the outer carton.

A dangerous goods declaration for the shipment. We check these before a booking is made rather than after the container is stuffed.

Why bookings fall through

Not every carrier accepts Class 9 lithium on every service, and DG slots on a vessel are limited. A forwarder without a DG desk will often quote on the assumption the cargo is general, then withdraw.

Storage and demurrage build up quickly when a DG shipment is held for paperwork, because the container cannot simply be moved to an ordinary yard.

Sea, not air

Air carriage of lithium cells is tightly restricted and expensive. For cells in commercial quantity, sea freight is the practical route, and it is the only mode we run.

A note on accuracy

Dangerous goods rules are revised on a regular cycle and vary by carrier and by port. Treat the above as orientation, not as a compliance checklist — we confirm the current requirement with the carrier for each shipment before booking.