Shipments of batteries within the United States MUST be in accordance with federal DOT requirements (Title 49 CFR, Part 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table (HMT)) for the batteries The regulation includes packaging, marking and labeling requirements. Transportation to/from OCONUS locations from/to CONUS is governed by international regulations.
- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) “International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code” must be used for vessel movement. Code is available via the IHS web site: Accuris Login (ihserc.com).
- The provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), “Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air,” must be used for commercial airlift, as well as the International Air Transport Association, Dangerous Goods Regulations. The Lithium Battery Guidance Document can be accessed on the IATA website with the following link: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/dgr/lithium-batteries/.
- Air Force Joint Manual AFMAN 24-204, “Preparing Hazardous Materials for Military Air Shipment,” should be used for military airlift. US Military flights usually follow the US FAA restrictions, but there are exceptions. The manual is available at the following link: afman24-604.pdf.
Consult your Installation Transportation Office (ITO) or the local shipping agent, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with all applicable transportation regulations.
In some jurisdictions the transport of lithium-ion batteries through tunnels is prohibited. Check with the DOT of the state whose tunnels you may need to use.
Note that as of April 2016, Lithium batteries (both primary and rechargeable) are severely restricted both as carry-on and as checked luggage on all commercial passenger aircraft. Bulk shipments on commercial cargo aircraft are also currently restricted. Rechargeable batteries must be shipped at less than 30% capacity and there are strict quantity, equivalent Lithium content and actual weight limitations. Additionally the hazardous packing and labeling requirements must be met. Check with your local hazardous shipping agent or post/base HAZMAT shipping department to ensure that you are following the most current local, national and international regulations.
WARNING
DO NOT package any battery if it is hot or warm. Package batteries only when they are cool to the touch.
CAUTION
DO NOT mix hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste in the same package. (It is illegal to do so!)
Title 49, CFR Parts 173.24 and 173.24a require that packaging be designed and constructed to control contents under conditions normally incident to transportation. For batteries listed in the HMT, use packaging as specified by federal transportation regulations (i.e., 49 CFR). Original packaging materials, when suitable for re-use, may be saved for subsequent packaging and shipping. Check with your HAZMAT shipping department to ensure that the proper packing is used. In addition, the following requirements apply:
- It should be noted that not all batteries are regulated under federal hazardous material transportation regulations (i.e., the HMT, 49 CFR 172.101). However, if a battery is shipped as HW, it is regulated under the HMT as an “environmentally hazardous substance.”
- Batteries must be provided with an effective means of preventing external short circuits. When single cell (e.g.,BA-5567/U) or multi-cell batteries with exposed connectors are packaged, they must be protected against external short circuiting by taping the exposed contacts or by placement in a small individual plastic bag or cardboard box, which is sealed with a non-conductive, non-metallic closure, such as tape.
- The batteries must be adequately protected and securely packaged in a strong fiberboard or wooden box, a fiber or metal drum, or palletized, in accordance with DOT regulations, to withstand conditions normal to shipment.
- When single or multi-cell batteries are packed and then over-packed in another container, all free space must be taken up by using suitable packing materials (such as vermiculite, absorbent grade, non-hazardous material) which are non-conductive and non-combustible.
- Packaging damaged batteries:
- Damaged batteries should not be packaged with undamaged batteries.
- Damaged batteries with cells that have ruptured, or otherwise have sharp edges, should first be placed in a sealable plastic bag and then packed in a fiberboard container which is sealed by non-conductive, non-metallic means. This container may then be over-packed in another container and sealed by non-conductive, non-metallic means. All free space between boxes should be taken up by using suitable non-combustible packaging materials. The over-packing should be able to contain any leakage from the batteries.
- Damaged batteries shall be shipped as Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) Class 9 material with all of the requirement associated with this type material.
- Check with your local hazardous shipping agent or post/base HAZMAT shipping department to ensure that you are following the most current local, national and international regulations.