Lithium batteries are one of the most tightly regulated categories in dangerous goods transport — and for good reason. They can overheat, catch fire, or in rare cases undergo thermal runaway, a chain reaction that is extremely difficult to extinguish. The regulations exist to manage that risk, and they have been tightened significantly over the past decade.

If you ship lithium batteries — or products that contain them — by air or sea, here is a practical summary of what you need to know under the current IATA DGR 67th Edition 2026 and IMDG Code Amendment 42-24.

Two Battery Types, Four UN Numbers

Lithium batteries fall into two chemistry types, each with specific UN numbers depending on whether the batteries are shipped on their own or packed with equipment:

Lithium metal (primary) batteries: UN 3090 (batteries alone), UN 3091 (packed with or contained in equipment). These are typically non-rechargeable, used in items like watches, hearing aids, and certain medical devices.^{[ 1 ]}

Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries: UN 3480 (batteries alone), UN 3481 (packed with or contained in equipment). These power laptops, mobile phones, power tools, and electric vehicles.^{[ 1 ]}

Getting the UN number right is the starting point for everything else — the packing instructions, quantity limits, and aircraft restrictions all follow from it.

Air Transport: IATA DGR Requirements for Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are subject to some of the strictest air transport regulations of any dangerous goods category. The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and the IATA Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) set out the requirements in detail, and those requirements tightened further with the 67th Edition effective 1 January 2026.^{[ 2 ]}

See also: IATA DGR 67th Edition 2026: What It Is, What Changed, and Who Needs It

State of charge (SoC) limits — mandatory for both UN 3480 and UN 3481 from January 2026

From 1 January 2026, the mandatory =30% state-of-charge (SoC) cap applies to both main categories of lithium ion battery shipment on cargo aircraft. UN 3480 (batteries shipped alone) has carried this mandatory cap for a number of years. The 67th Edition extended the mandatory requirement to UN 3481 (batteries packed with or contained in equipment) where the cells or batteries have a Watt-hour rating greater than 2.7 Wh. This marks a significant change: the =30% SoC limit for UN 3481 was a recommendation in the 2025 DGR (66th Edition) but became a mandatory requirement from 1 January 2026. In limited cases, approval may be sought to exceed the threshold — but shippers can no longer treat this as optional best-practice guidance.^{[ 2 ]}

Section II of the relevant packing instructions covers batteries packed with consumer goods and is commonly used by e-commerce and retail exporters. Section I applies to fully regulated dangerous goods shipments and carries more stringent requirements including advance notification to the operator.

Some batteries are prohibited from air transport altogether, including damaged, defective, or recalled batteries, and those that do not meet the testing requirements of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN 38.3). This is not a technicality — airlines actively check for compliance, and non-conforming shipments will be refused.^{[ 3 ]}

Sea Transport: IMDG Code Requirements for Lithium Batteries

Under the IMDG Code, lithium batteries are treated as dangerous goods and must be declared and documented accordingly. Amendment 42-24 updated a number of the provisions relating to lithium battery stowage and segregation on container ships.^{[ 4 ]}

Lithium batteries transported by sea must meet UN 38.3 testing requirements — the standard that applies across all transport modes. Shipments must be accompanied by a Dangerous Goods Declaration, and the shipper takes on legal responsibility for accuracy and completeness of that documentation.

See also: IMDG Code 2024: What It Is, Who Needs It, and Why It Matters for Sea Transport

Damaged, Defective, and Recalled Batteries

These require special handling under both IATA and IMDG rules. They must be identified as such, and in most cases require special packaging designed to contain any potential thermal event. Standard packing instructions for serviceable batteries do not apply. If you are returning recalled batteries or shipping end-of-life equipment containing batteries, specific guidance must be followed — both for your own liability and the safety of the carrier's staff and other cargo.

The IATA Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR)

The IATA Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) 13th Edition 2026 is a standalone publication that compiles all the IATA DGR requirements specifically relating to lithium batteries into a single, dedicated reference. It is widely used by staff who deal with battery shipments regularly, as it provides a focused resource without the need to navigate the full DGR.^{[ 2 ]}

For any business where lithium battery shipments are a significant part of operations — consumer electronics, medical devices, EV components, power tools — keeping a copy of the BSR alongside the DGR is worth the investment.