Can you ship lithium batteries-introduction and shipping

Yes, you can ship lithium batteries, but there are some requirements when you have to ship lithium batteries. Mostly these batteries are shipped separately. Only their components are shipped. The requirements are different for domestic shipping and different for international shipping. You can ship the batteries easily via UPS and FedEx locally, but if you are thinking of shipping batteries internationally, then the rules and requirements are strict. 

Why can't lithium batteries be shipped?

The reason sometimes you are not able to ship lithium batteries is that lithium batteries come under the section of hazardous material. Appearing under hazardous material poses a threat to the health, safety, and property of other goods when shipped in commerce. 

Catching fire for lithium batteries is a piece of cake, and because of this threat, there are many restrictions on the shipping of lithium batteries.

How to ship lithium batteries?

You can ship lithium batteries, but you must strictly follow the rules and requirements of the International Civil Aviation and IATA.

Before you ship batteries, the batteries have to pass a UN test.

The terminals of the batteries must be properly covered so there is no chance of a short circuit.

The documentation should be completed.

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The packaging should be proper so that the batteries don't affect other goods.

The packaging from both the inside and outside should be proper.

If any rule fails to follow, the batteries will be confiscated or are going to be returned by the TSA or another aerial association.

Shipping lithium batteries domestically

Shipping lithium batteries domestically is easier than shipping batteries internationally. Shipping domestically is easy because of fewer requirements, and domestic shipping is quicker than international shipping. It can happen in hours if you want to ship lithium batteries domestically. On the other hand, if you ship batteries urgently internationally, it will still take a couple of days. 

Some requirements have to be followed when shipping domestically. You still have to properly cover the battery terminals and the batteries from inside and outside with proper packaging. The only exception in shipping domestically is no requirement for a UN test.

Why is only air shipping allowed for lithium batteries?

Only cargo air shipping is allowed for lithium batteries because cargo air shipping is faster, and lithium batteries have to be shipped as soon as possible because they threaten the safety of other goods. If lithium batteries are shipped by sea, they will stay in the cargo ship for a long time, and batteries can explode if they stay stationary for a long time. 

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Lithium batteries can be shipped by sea, but only if the battery is in parts and not as a whole.

Can you ship lithium batteries internationally?

Yes, you can ship lithium batteries internationally, but to do so, you have to follow all the rules and regulations of TSA. If you send it through other third-party companies, you have to follow the rules and regulations of that certain company.

How to ship lithium batteries internationally?

You can ship lithium batteries through airport transportation and shipping companies like FedEx, DHL, and UPS. If you are shipping the batteries yourself, you have to fill all the requirements of the TSA strictly, and if you are shipping through shipping companies, then you have to follow their rules. Sometimes the shipping companies do the packaging themselves; you only have to complete the paperwork. Before shipping lithium batteries:

Cover their terminal properly.

Do the packaging yourself so that it reaches the place without any harm.

Shield the batteries and protect them properly so that no short circuit takes place when it is on its way.

Why lithium batteries shipping is expensive

The charges vary from airport to airport and company to company. The overall charges of lithium battery shipping are greater than other goods. The charges are greater because lithium batteries come under the section of "Danger Goods" and because of certain restrictions in different countries. 

International civil aviation, at times, has banned lithium battery shipping even though the goods are charged based on their weight. Lithium batteries shipping costs more than other goods shipping due to being under the dangerous goods section. 

Requirements for lithium batteries when shipping internationally

The rules for lithium batteries are very strict and must be followed strictly. If any rules aren't followed, or any requirement isn't fulfilled, the battery will be returned without shipping. 

Lithium batteries requirements are below

Successful UN test for the batteries.

The batteries should have less than 30% charge.

The terminals of the batteries should be properly covered.

The packaging should be proper from both the inside and outside.

Do the lithium batteries need to be shipped in a box?

Yes, the lithium batteries have to be shipped in a box. The box isn't a simple box but a non-conductive and fully enclosed box. The reason why it has to be shipped in a box is that it is highly hazardous and can harm other goods. 

Apart from being hazardous, it is also highly explorable; if there is any short circuit, it can explode easily. Due to all these factors, lithium batteries should be properly packed in a box and shipped.

Material required for the packaging of lithium batteries

The materials required for the packaging of lithium batteries are: -

Fully enclosed and non-conductive material like plastic bags.

The terminals of the lithium batteries should be properly covered with tape or non-conductive caps.

Dry lock boxes.

The best packaging for lithium batteries

The best packaging for lithium batteries is by first covering all the terminals of the battery with non-conductive caps and tape and then covering the whole battery with a plastic bag. After covering the battery, please place it in a dry-locked box, so it isn't affected by water.

Can you ship lithium batteries without a box?

You can't ship lithium batteries with a box. The box is mandatory for shipping and is a requirement set by the TSA and IATA. The box can protect other goods from the battery as well. If any short circuit takes place in the battery, the box will protect it from a short circuit.

Conclusion

Shipping lithium batteries is hard due to all the strict requirements and lithium batteries being under the dangerous goods section. If you want to ship the batteries properly, then all the requirements from IATA and TSA must be met strictly.