Lithium batteries may be considered hazardous. Unless there is a MSDS ( MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET) and dangerous goods form it may be prohibited to carry by air or sea. Battery powered bicycles from some manufacturers cannot be shipped for this reason. If planning to ship please check there is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) (also known as PSDS (Product safety data sheet) form from the manufacturer showing details of lithium batteries.
Lithium Ion Batteries are classified as follows:
Class |
UN Number |
Proper Shipping Name |
Comments |
9 |
UN3480 |
Lithium ion batteries |
Batteries (that are not packed with or installed in equipment) e.g. loose mobile phone batteries / laptop batteries / power tool batteries |
9 |
UN3481 |
Lithium ion batteries packed with equipment |
Batteries packed together with equipment but not attached to the device e.g. mobile phone + loose (spare) unattached battery, power tool with loose (spare) battery |
9 |
UN3481 |
Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment |
Batteries contained in equipment, i.e. installed/integrated in the device e.g. MP3 player with integrated battery / Mobile phone with integrated battery/laptop with integrated battery / power tool with integrated battery |
Class |
UN Number |
Proper Shipping Name |
Comments |
9 |
UN3090 |
Lithium metal batteries |
Batteries (that are not packed with or installed in equipment) e.g. replacement batteries for watches or calculators |
9 |
UN3091 |
Lithium metal batteries packed with equipment |
Batteries packed together with equipment but not attached to the device e.g. watch with loose battery (not installed in the watch) |
9 |
UN3091 |
Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment |
Batteries contained in equipment, i.e. installed/integrated in the device e.g. watch with integrated battery / calculator with integrated battery |
It may be possible to send as an “Excepted” Lithium Battery shipment but only if they are shipped in line with applicable regulations.