From the factory door to the first warehouse · UN3480, UN3481 and the paperwork
Shipping batteries by air and sea
Lithium batteries are dangerous goods. Air carriage needs UN38.3 evidence, an MSDS, compliant packaging and a carrier that accepts the UN number; surcharges and restrictions follow.
Key facts
| UN3480 | Lithium-ion batteries shipped alone, not inside equipment |
|---|---|
| UN3481 | Lithium-ion batteries contained in or packed with equipment |
| UN38.3 | Test summary demonstrating the battery design passed the transport tests |
| MSDS | Safety data sheet describing the cell or battery chemistry and hazards |
| Air restrictions | Some carriers refuse standalone batteries; state-of-charge and package limits apply |
| Official source | IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and the carrier's own acceptance policy |
The UN number decides the route
A power bank shipped alone is UN3480; a battery inside a device is usually UN3481. The two have different packing instructions, quantity limits and carrier acceptance. A forwarder may take one and refuse the other on the same lane.
Before booking, send the product specification, UN38.3 test summary and MSDS to the forwarder and get written confirmation that the lane accepts the UN number. Verbal reassurance is not enough when the parcel reaches the security screen.
Surcharges and documentation
Dangerous-goods handling adds a surcharge — often per kilogram on air and per shipment on sea — plus possible screening, packaging and documentation fees. The surcharge is not the same as the freight rate and should be a separate line in the quote.
Packaging must prevent short circuits and movement, and the mark-and-label set must match the packing instruction. For air, state of charge limits apply to standalone lithium-ion cells. Confirm the current rules with the carrier rather than relying on an old shipment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship a power bank by air?
Some carriers accept standalone lithium-ion batteries under restricted conditions; others refuse them. It depends on the UN number, state of charge, package size and the carrier's policy for the lane.
Is UN38.3 the same as a test report?
UN38.3 is the test standard. The supplier should provide a test summary showing the cell or battery design passed it; a generic certificate without the model details is weak evidence.
Do batteries inside a device need an MSDS?
Carriers commonly ask for an MSDS and UN38.3 summary even for batteries contained in equipment. Requirements vary, so confirm the document set with the forwarder.
Ask a compliance question
Free first answer by email. Tell us the destination, the product and the channel — we will point you to the rule and the official source. No obligation, no sales sequence.