Published by Civil Aviation Department in January 2013 Designed by the Information Services Department Printed by the Government Logistics Department Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

Safe Transport of Lithium Batteries by Air

Lithium batteries are widely used in consumer electronic devices nowadays. However, batteries may pose a fire hazard and endanger aviation safety if they are not properly packed and handled.

Lithium cells / batteries must be consigned either as i) Class 9 dangerous goods; or ii) excepted lithium cells / batteries in accordance with the requirements set down by the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ). Any person preparing or offering excepted lithium cells/ batteries for air transport must have received adequate instruction on the ICAO requirements for shipping lithium batteries. Detailed requirements can be found in the CAD website at http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/dangerousgoods.html

If you wish to consign excepted lithium cells / batteries by air, you must first ascertain that :

• the cells/ batteries have passed the UN38.3 test. Ask the supplier of the cells/ batteries for a copy of the test report if you are in doubt.

• the shipment does not contain damaged, defective or recalled cells/ batteries. Such batteries are forbidden to be shipped by air.

• the cells/ batteries are within the watt-hour rating or lithium content limit.

4. Each package must be labeled with a lithium battery handling label

* Place for “Lithium ion battery” and / or “Lithium metal battery” as applicable

5. Each consignment must be accompanied with a document with an indication that:

• thepackagecontainslithiumion/metalcellsorbatteries;

• thepackagemustbehandledwithcareandthataflammabilityhazard exists if the package is damaged;

• specialproceduresmustbefollowedintheeventthepackageis damaged, to include inspection and repacking if necessary;

•atelephonenumberforadditionalinformation;and

• thewords“lithiumionbatteries”or“lithiummetalbatteries”,and “in compliance with Section II of PIxxx” ( Packing Instructions number ) must be placed on the air waybill.

If the lithium cells/batteries do not meet the require-ments for excepted cells/batteries, and they have to be consigned by air as dangerous goods, as a shipper, you must have the appropriate dangerous goods training and ensure that the classification, packing, marking, labeling and documentation of the shipment are in compliance with the requirements set out in Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air issued by the ICAO. If you do not have the necessary training on dangerous goods, please seek assistance from a freight forwarder who has well-trained staff to handle your consignment.

For more information, contact the Dangerous Goods Office of Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department at 2910 6981 or 2910 6982.

Only cells / batteries meeting the following requirements can be shipped as excepted cells / batteries.

Rechargeable ( lithium ion)

Non-rechargeable ( lithium metal )

Cells ≤ 20 Watt-hour ≤ 1 g lithium content

Batteries ≤ 100 Watt-hour ≤ 2 g lithium content

Examples:

Large lithium batteries or lithium batteries in large quantities cannot be transported as excepted batteries

Damaged lithium batteries are forbidden for air transport

Packing requirements for shipping excepted lithium batteries

Proper Packing Improper Packing

1. All lithium batteries must be protected so as to prevent short circuits and damage to terminals. They must be packed in a strong outer packaging.

2. Each package must be capable of withstanding a 1.2m drop test in any orientation without: • damagetocellsorbatteries; • shiftingofthecontentssoastoallowbatterytobattery( orcell to cell ) contact; • releaseofcontents.

3. Weight Limitation

Rechargeable ( lithium ion)

Non-rechargeable ( lithium metal )

Consignment with cells / batteries only

2 batteries (each ≤ 100 Wh) or 8 cells (each ≤ 20 Wh) or 2.5 kg net (each ≤ 2.7 Wh)

2 batteries (each ≤ 2 g lithium content) or 8 cells (each ≤ 1 g lithium content) or 2.5 kg net (each ≤ 0.3 g lithium content)

Equipment packed with or contained cells / batteries

5 kg net (not including equipment)

5 kg net (not including equipment)

Lithium ion batteries in compliance with Section II of PI 965