Demand for lithium batteries remains high. This poses new challenges to transport companies, particularly aviation companies and forwarders, as there may be a fire risk from damaged cells or from short-circuits resulting from inadequate packaging. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has responded by issuing new regulations, valid from 01.04.2016.

From now on, please bear in mind the following changes to the regulations on the transportation of lithium batteries in passenger aircraft, which also apply to private individuals:

Ban on lithium batteries in passenger aircraft: Lithium batteries can no longer be transported as cargo on passenger aircraft.packages that olny contain lithium batteries must in future always carry the label “Cargo Aircraft Only”.
Restriction regarding state of charge: The ICAO has restricted the state of charge (SoC) of lithium cells to a maximum 30 %. Lithium batteries can only be shipped by airfreight if their state of charge does not exceed 30 %.
Quantity restriction: When batteries are shipped by themselves, the limit is 8 cells or 2 batteries per package (per airway bill) pursuant to IATA-DGR Packing Instruction 965 II.
Restriction regarding overpacks: Pursuant to PI965 II, these small packages could be combined in an overpack in the past; this is now no longer possible.
Separate shipping of batteries: Companies that wish to ship packages containing only lithium batteries must send these separately from other shipped goods.
Exceptions applicable to states, aviation companies and shipping companies: There are now over 100 exceptions to the legal regulations that need to be observed in place.

Any questions? You can rely on our 30 plus years of experience gained from customer-specific projects, including transportation of the finished application. Our specialists, who have undergone IATA PK1 and PK2 training courses, will assist you throughout the entire duration of the project.

And in case you are due to take a plane to go on holiday in the near future: Passengers can continue to embark with lithium batteries in their private electronic devices, i.e. mobile phones including smartphones, laptops or cameras. The devices can be placed in hand luggage or in the check-in luggage. Only replacement batteries for the devices and the power banks that have become popular of late must be placed in the hand luggage. For further information, see also IATA Provisions for Dangerous Goods. 

 

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