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Lithium battery shipment

49 CFR §173.185 · IATA PI 965–970

HMT · 2026-01

Battery

Chemistry

Configuration

Cell capacity (Wh)Battery capacity (Wh)

Cells per batteryNet Li mass per package (kg)

Mode

Transport mode

State of charge (%)

Special condition

Damaged / defective / recalledFor disposal or recyclingPrototype or low-production-runInstalled in the vehicle/aircraft it powers

Cleared to ship

UN3480 · IATA PI 965 Section II

Small lithium-ion cells or batteries within relief. You still need the lithium battery mark on the outer package, but there's no Class 9 label, no shipping paper (ground), and no Shipper's Declaration (air) — as long as you stay inside the size, mass, and state-of-charge limits below.

Lithium battery markCAO onlySoC ≤ 30%

Rules and regulations that apply

49 CFR §173.185(c)(1)Small-battery relief: lithium-ion cells ≤ 20 Wh and batteries ≤ 100 Wh, passing UN Manual of Tests and Criteria 38.3.
49 CFR §172.101 HMTUN3480 — Lithium ion batteries, Class 9, PG II.
49 CFR §173.185(c)(3) / IATA 7.1.5.5The lithium battery mark must show the UN number(s) and a 24-hour telephone contact.
IATA PI 965 IBMarked "Cargo Aircraft Only" — passenger aircraft carriage prohibited.
IATA PI 965 §II.3Ship at a state of charge not exceeding 30% of the rated design capacity.
49 CFR §178.503Use UN-spec packaging tested to Packing Group II performance.

Thresholds evaluated

Cell ≤ 20 Wh18 Wh
Battery ≤ 100 Wh99 Wh
Air Li-ion SoC ≤ 30%30%
Package net ≤ 5 kg (pax)2.4 kg

Compliance checklist

Lithium battery mark with Wh rating and 24-hour phone
Cargo Aircraft Only label
State of charge documented ≤ 30%
UN-spec packaging per Packing Group II performance
Retain 38.3 test summary on request

Citations

IATA PI 965 Section II · 49 CFR §173.185 · §172.447 · IATA DGR PI 965–970 · ICAO TI 2025–2026 Table 8-1