SHIPPING LITHIUM BATTERIES

IATA Packing Instructions In 4 Easy Steps

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IATA significantly revised Packing Instructions PI 965-PI 970.

Here is a proven 4-STEP approach that will help you comply with IATA Packing Instructions.

1. Choose your type. Lithium Ion or Lithium Metal Battery?

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2. Read the label. What are the properties of the batteries?

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LITHIUM ION • the watt-hr rating for both the cells and the battery?

• the weight of each battery?

2. Read the label. What are the properties of the batteries?

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LITHIUM METAL• the lithium metal content of both the cells and the battery?

• the weight of each battery?

2. Read the label. What are the properties of the batteries?

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3. How many batteries in the shipment? What is the combined weight?

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3. Look it up. After you gather the information in the steps 1-3, go to the appropriate Packing Instruction, either PI 965 or PI 968, and plug in the data.

EXAMPLE4 Step Approach to Classifying

Lithium Batteries

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Start by going through steps 1-4. Let’s assume that:• You have 2 batteries • Battery cells have a 21 wh • Battery has 180 wh• You want to place both batteries in one

package• Each battery weights 2 kg

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Take a look at Table 965:

TIP: Start by comparing your data with the requirements of the least restrictive section, Section II, to see if you qualify, and if not then work your way up towards the most restrictive.

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Table 965 analysis:

Start with Section IIThe first column applies to cells and batterieswith 2.7 wh or less; That’s not you.

Next column is for cells with wh ratings greater than 2.7 but not more than 20; That again is not you.

The last column applies to batteries with a wh not more than 100. Again not you, although you do comply with the 2 batteries per package rule.

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Table 965 analysis:

Move to Section IBYou notice that the wh restrictions are the same as in Section II; the only difference between II and IB is the number/weight of batteries allowed per package.

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Table 965 analysis:

Move to Section IASection IA, Table 965-IA allows wh ratings greaterthan those in IB and II. Your batteries qualify under this section.

Now all you have to do is keep the combined weight of the batteries in each box under the maximum 5 kg allowed for Passenger Aircraft or 35 kg for Cargo Freighter.

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I.

2.

3.

Learn more about shipping Lithium Batteries in our technical guide “Lithium Batteries. IATA Packing Instructions Explained”.

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