How to Ship Batteries?

General Rules and FAQs

If you are shipping lithium batteries or goods containing lithium batteries, please read the guidelines below before shipping.

• Shipping policies and pricing may vary depending on the battery type (lithium-ion or lithium metal), lithium content, weight, dimension, and whether it's installed in/packed with equipment.
• Couriers forbid shipping batteries that are defective, damaged, or recalled.
• Shippers are legally responsible for shipping lithium batteries safely and correctly.
• Not all lithium batteries will be accepted by couriers.
• Lithium batteries are marked as dangerous goods, and a surcharge may apply when shipping.
• Packages containing lithium batteries need to be marked with stickers. If damaged, the shipper will need to follow through with a special protocol.
• Documentation may be required for packages containing lithium batteries.
• Packages need to pass a 1.2-meter drop test, ensuring no chemicals released, no batteries damaged or moved inside causing short-circuiting.
• Package weight measuring no more than 30 kilograms (66 lbs).
• Make sure you know the battery type and how to calculate watt-hours, battery level, and etc. Specific courier requirements are listed in the next pages.

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Courier Requirements

USPS

• Lithium batteries must be properly installed in the equipment.
• Only certain types of lithium batteries are eligible for domestic air transportation, see the documentation for eligibility.
• All lithium batteries are prohibited from international shipping, except for certain small consumer-type lithium batteries (installed in the equipment they operate). See documentation for eligibility.
• The total watt-hour rating must not exceed 20 Wh for each cell and 100 Wh for each battery.

UPS

• UPS doesn't accept any products listed under UN3090 (lithium metal batteries, non-rechargeable, without equipment) or UN3480 part II (lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable, without equipment) for air transportation. Shipping these items requires pre-approval from UPS and a contract for dangerous goods.
• The total watt-hour rating must not exceed 20 Wh for each cell and 100 Wh for each battery.
• If there are fewer than 2 lithium batteries installed in/packed with the equipment, then the package can be shipped without being marked as dangerous goods.

FedEx

• The total watt-hour rating must not exceed 20 Wh for each lithium-ion cell; 100 Wh for each lithium-ion battery.
• The total weight must not exceed 1 gram for each lithium metal cell; 2 grams for each lithium metal battery.
• Each button battery packed with equipment (including circuit board) must contain no more than 4 cells or 2 batteries
• See FedEx Guidance for more information.

DHL

• DHL only accepts goods listed under UN3481-PI967 and UN3091-PI969, and batteries must be installed in the equipment.
• Each package must contain no more than 4 cells or 2 batteries.
• The total watt-hour rating must not exceed 20 Wh for each cell and 100 Wh for each battery.
• The net weight of a lithium battery in a package must not exceed 5 kilograms.
• See DHL Guidance for more information.

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PHMSA Regulation for Lithium Batteries

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulatory-compliance/phmsa-guidance/advisory-guidance-transportation-batteries-and-battery-powered

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*Please note:

ShipSaving carrier accounts provide battery shipping services; however, users must strictly follow the courier requirements listed above. Packages containing noncompliant batteries may be destroyed or fined, and ShipSaving may close such carrier accounts.

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