Lithium battery shipping from China is one of the most regulated areas of global logistics. Whether shipped as standalone batteries, packed with equipment, or contained in devices, lithium batteries are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) and must comply with strict international rules.
π DisMove, operating from Guangzhou, provides fully compliant lithium battery logisticsβfrom classification and testing to documentation, carrier approval, and global transport.
β οΈ Why Lithium Batteries Are Highly Regulated
Lithium batteries pose risks due to:
π₯ Fire & thermal runaway
β‘ Short-circuit hazards
π₯ Explosion risk if damaged or improperly packed
As a result, airlines, shipping lines, and customs authorities enforce zero-tolerance compliance.
π Types of Lithium Batteries
π Lithium-Ion (Rechargeable)
- Phones, laptops, power banks
- E-bikes, scooters
- Energy storage systems
UN Numbers:
- UN3480 (batteries only)
- UN3481 (with / in equipment)
π Lithium-Metal (Non-Rechargeable)
- Watches
- Medical devices
- Sensors
UN Numbers:
- UN3090 (batteries only)
- UN3091 (with / in equipment)
π Regulations Governing Lithium Battery Shipping
βοΈ Air Freight
π IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)
β οΈ Most restrictive
β Many lithium batteries prohibited by air
π’ Sea Freight
π IMDG Code
β
More flexible
π¦ Most lithium batteries ship by sea
π Road / Inland Transport
π ADR / Local DG rules
DisMove ensures compliance across all modes.
π Mandatory Documents for Lithium Battery Shipping
DisMove prepares and verifies:
π MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
π UN38.3 Test Summary
π DG Declaration
π Packing Certificate
π Carrier & airline approvals
β οΈ Missing or incorrect documents result in shipment rejection.
π¦ Packaging & Labeling Requirements
Lithium batteries must be packed in:
π¦ UN-certified packaging
π§± Shock-resistant inner packaging
π·οΈ Lithium battery labels & hazard marks
π Correct UN number markings
Packaging rules vary depending on:
- Battery type
- Watt-hour rating
- Quantity per package
π’ Lithium Battery Shipping by Sea
Sea freight is the preferred method for lithium batteries:
β
Lower cost
β
Higher acceptance
β
Fewer quantity restrictions
DisMove manages:
β IMDG compliance
π¦ Segregation rules
π Port approvals
βοΈ Lithium Battery Shipping by Air
Air shipping is:
β οΈ Highly restricted
β οΈ Airline-specific
β οΈ Quantity-limited
Allowed mainly for:
- Batteries contained in equipment
- Small quantities
- Urgent shipments
DisMove confirms air eligibility before booking.
β οΈ Common Lithium Battery Shipping Mistakes
π« Declaring batteries as general cargo
π« Using outdated UN38.3 reports
π« Incorrect watt-hour declaration
π« Missing lithium labels
π« Assuming express couriers accept all batteries
These lead to:
β Cargo rejection
π° Fines
π« Shipper blacklisting
π§ How DisMove Ships Lithium Batteries Safely
β
Battery classification & UN number verification
β
UN38.3 & MSDS validation
β
Packaging & labeling compliance
β
Carrier pre-approval
β
DG-trained operations team
β
End-to-end compliance
No shortcuts. No grey zones.
β FAQ β Lithium Battery Shipping from China
β Are all lithium batteries DG?
β‘οΈ Yesβmost lithium batteries are regulated DG.
β Can lithium batteries be shipped by air?
β‘οΈ Some can, many cannot.
β Is UN38.3 mandatory?
β‘οΈ Yesβfor all lithium battery shipments.
β Can batteries ship with products inside?
β‘οΈ Yesβif correctly classified and packed.
β Can DisMove review my battery product before shipping?
β‘οΈ Yesβpre-shipment review is recommended.
π Ship Lithium Batteries Compliantly with DisMove
Lithium battery logistics require precision and expertise. DisMove ensures your shipments move legally, safely, and without costly delaysβfrom China to global markets.
π§ Request lithium battery shipping support:
enquire@dismove.com