BATTERIES SHIPPED ALONE
Standalone batteries can be subject to more restrictive transportation requirements, particularly for air freight.
EXAMPLE Replacement battery packs
CHENGYU SHIP · SPECIAL CARGO
LITHIUM BATTERY &
LITHIUM BATTERY &
DANGEROUS GOODS SHIPPING
International freight solutions for lithium batteries, battery-powered products and other special cargo — with shipment review, documentation coordination, packing requirements and carrier acceptance checked before booking.
CHECK YOUR CARGO
SPECIAL CARGO
DG
REVIEW BEFORE BOOKING
CLASSIFY · DOCUMENT
PACK · LABEL · SHIP
SPECIAL CARGO BASICS
NOT ALL CARGO SHIPS THE SAME WAY.
Lithium batteries and certain other products may be classified or regulated differently from ordinary general cargo.
The transportation requirements can depend on the battery chemistry, capacity, configuration, packaging, transportation method and carrier.
That is why special cargo should be reviewed before pickup and booking, rather than after it reaches the warehouse.
SEND PRODUCT & BATTERY INFORMATION BEFORE SHIPPING
We review the available route, carrier requirements
and supporting information before recommending
a suitable transportation solution.
BATTERY CONFIGURATION
HOW IS THE BATTERY BEING SHIPPED?
One of the first questions is whether the battery is shipped alone, packed with equipment, or installed inside the equipment.
PACKED WITH EQUIPMENT
The battery and equipment are shipped in the same package, but the battery is not installed inside the device.
EXAMPLE Device + separate batteryCONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT
The battery is installed inside the product being transported.
EXAMPLE Headsets, laptops, electronics
BATTERY CLASSIFICATION
PRODUCT NAME IS NOT ENOUGH.
Saying “electronic product” or “battery product” does not provide enough information to determine the transportation requirements.
The battery type and configuration must be understood before the shipment can be evaluated correctly.
01
Battery Chemistry
02
Watt-Hour Rating
03
Battery Quantity
04
Battery Configuration
05
Product Type
06
Packing Method
CARGO
↓
CLASSIFY
↓
CHECK ROUTE
↓
BOOK
UN38.3
BATTERY TESTING
IMPORTANT BATTERY INFORMATION
WHAT IS UN38.3?
Lithium cells and batteries offered for transport must meet the applicable testing requirements in Subsection 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.
Battery manufacturers and distributors should be able to provide appropriate information demonstrating the applicable battery testing status.
ASK YOUR BATTERY OR PRODUCT SUPPLIER
If you do not have battery information,
contact the manufacturer or supplier before arranging
international transportation.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
WHAT DOCUMENTS MAY BE REQUESTED?
Required documents depend on the product, battery configuration, transport mode, route and carrier.
01
UN38.3 INFORMATION
Information showing that applicable lithium battery testing requirements have been met.
02
SDS / MSDS
Safety data may be requested by certain logistics providers or for particular products, depending on the shipment.
03
BATTERY SPECIFICATION
Battery chemistry, capacity, Watt-hour rating and other technical information.
04
PACKING INFORMATION
Details showing how the battery or battery-powered product is packaged.
05
TRANSPORT DECLARATION
Some regulated shipments may require dangerous-goods declarations or other transport documentation.
06
OTHER REPORTS
Carriers, ports or authorities may request additional supporting documents depending on the cargo and route.
!
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
MSDS IS NOT THE SAME AS UN38.3.
An SDS or MSDS describes safety and hazard information for a substance or product.
UN38.3 refers to specific transport testing applicable to lithium cells and batteries. One document does not automatically replace the other.
DO NOT ASSUME THAT AN MSDS ALONE MAKES A LITHIUM BATTERY SHIPMENT READY FOR TRANSPORT.
TRANSPORTATION MODE
AIR VS SEA FOR BATTERY CARGO
AIR
AIR FREIGHT
Battery shipments by air are subject to aviation dangerous-goods requirements and may also be affected by airline-specific acceptance rules.
- Battery classification
- Watt-hour rating
- Packing instructions
- Marks & labels
- Operator restrictions
VS
SEA
SEA FREIGHT
Battery and dangerous-goods shipments by sea are handled according to applicable maritime dangerous-goods requirements and carrier rules.
- Classification
- Packaging
- Marks & labels
- Documentation
- Carrier acceptance
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
DIFFERENT MODES, DIFFERENT RULES.
Dangerous-goods transportation is governed by mode-specific regulations, together with carrier and local requirements.
01
AIR TRANSPORT
ICAO Technical Instructions and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations are key references used for dangerous goods transported by air.
02
SEA TRANSPORT
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code — IMDG Code — provides the framework for dangerous goods transported by sea.
03
CARRIER RULES
Individual airlines, shipping lines and service providers may apply additional acceptance restrictions.
SAFE TRANSPORT
PACKAGING & PROTECTION MATTER.
Batteries must be prepared so that applicable transport risks are controlled during handling and international transportation.
Exact packing requirements depend on classification and transportation mode, so the shipment should be reviewed before final packaging is confirmed.
01
SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION
02
SECURE PACKAGING
03
DAMAGE PREVENTION
04
REQUIRED MARKS
05
REQUIRED LABELS
06
CARRIER ACCEPTANCE
×
DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE BATTERIES
TELL US BEFORE THE CARGO MOVES.
Damaged, defective, recalled, swollen, leaking or otherwise abnormal batteries can be subject to significantly different transportation restrictions.
Do not describe damaged batteries as ordinary battery cargo.
DISCLOSE THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF THE BATTERY BEFORE PICKUP OR BOOKING.
BEYOND LITHIUM BATTERIES
OTHER SPECIAL CARGO MAY NEED REVIEW.
Dangerous goods and special cargo cover many product categories beyond lithium batteries.
01
BATTERY-POWERED PRODUCTS
Electronics, tools, equipment and other products containing batteries.
02
LIQUIDS & CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Some chemical or liquid products may require classification and additional review.
03
MAGNETIZED MATERIAL
Certain products may need additional evaluation, particularly for air transport.
04
OVERSIZED / SPECIAL CARGO
Non-standard cargo may require specialized equipment or handling arrangements.
BEFORE BOOKING
SPECIAL CARGO REVIEW PROCESS
01
SEND PRODUCT DETAILS
What are you shipping?
→
02
BATTERY INFORMATION
Type, Wh & configuration
→
03
DOCUMENT REVIEW
Available supporting information
→
04
ROUTE CHECK
Sea / Air / other option
→
05
BOOK & SHIP
After acceptance
WANT US TO CHECK YOUR CARGO?
SEND COMPLETE PRODUCT INFORMATION.
The more accurate the information, the faster we can determine whether a suitable shipping option is available.
CHECK SHIPPING OPTIONS
01
Product Name
02
Product Photo
03
Battery Type
04
Watt-Hour Rating
05
Battery Quantity
06
UN38.3 Information
07
Available Safety Data
08
Weight & Dimensions
COMMON QUESTIONS
BATTERY SHIPPING FAQ
Can lithium batteries be shipped internationally? +
Yes, many lithium battery and battery-powered product shipments can move internationally, but the applicable route, packaging, documentation and carrier acceptance depend on the battery and shipment configuration.
Is UN38.3 required for lithium batteries? +
Lithium cells and batteries offered for transport must meet the applicable testing requirements in Subsection 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.
Do I always need an MSDS to ship batteries? +
Not necessarily. An SDS/MSDS is not the same as UN38.3 battery testing information. Whether safety data or other documentation is requested depends on the product, transport arrangement and service provider.
Can battery-powered products ship by air? +
Some battery-powered products can move by air, subject to applicable battery classification, packing instructions, quantity limits, marks, labels and airline acceptance requirements.
Can battery cargo ship by sea? +
Yes, eligible battery cargo may move by sea subject to applicable maritime dangerous-goods requirements, packaging, documentation and carrier acceptance.
Can ChengYu Ship review my battery cargo before shipping? +
Yes. Send us the product information, battery specification, available supporting documents, cargo size, origin and destination so the shipment can be reviewed before booking.
DANGEROUS GOODS NOTICE
This page provides general logistics information only. Dangerous-goods classification, packaging, documentation, marks, labels and acceptance requirements depend on the actual product, transport mode, route, carrier and applicable regulations. Cargo should be reviewed before booking.
SHIPPING BATTERIES OR SPECIAL CARGO?
CHECK BEFORE YOU BOOK.
Send us your product details, battery information, available documents, origin and destination. We'll review the available freight options.
CHECK YOUR CARGO