Lithium battery shipping checker

How to use the checker

1. 1

   Read the battery label

   Find the watt-hours (Wh) for lithium-ion, or the lithium content in grams for lithium metal, and for a pack the rating of each cell. You can calculate Wh from volts and mAh.
2. 2

   Describe the shipment

   Say whether the batteries are installed in a device or a vehicle, packed with one or shipped alone, how many go in each box, their condition and, optionally, the package weights.
3. 3

   Follow the result for your route

   Each route lists its own marks, packaging and paperwork. Confirm the carrier accepts the shipment, then pack and mark it as described. Fully regulated shipments need a trained shipper.

Lithium battery shipping FAQ

How do I ship lithium batteries?

Find the battery’s watt-hour rating (lithium-ion) or lithium content (lithium metal), and for a battery pack the rating of each cell. Decide whether it ships installed in a device, packed with one or on its own, then pack it to prevent short circuits and movement in a strong rigid box with the lithium battery mark. Batteries within the small limits (up to 100 Wh per battery and 20 Wh per cell for lithium-ion) can usually ship by ground without hazmat paperwork. By air, batteries shipped on their own are fully regulated Class 9 even when small, and larger batteries are fully regulated by every mode. Carriers set their own acceptance rules, so confirm with yours.

What is the difference between UN3480 and UN3481?

UN3480 is lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own. UN3481 is lithium-ion batteries packed with or installed in the equipment they power. The lithium metal equivalents are UN3090 and UN3091.

Can I mail lithium batteries with USPS?

Yes, within limits. Lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh (20 Wh per cell) installed in or packed with a device can go by air or ground, up to 8 cells or 2 batteries per package. Used devices go by ground only. Spare batteries on their own must be new, in original sealed packaging, sent by ground only, and the package must weigh 5 lb or less. Internationally and to APO/FPO/DPO addresses or US territories, only new devices with no more than 4 cells or 2 batteries installed can be mailed. Larger batteries are not mailable.

How do I calculate watt-hours?

Multiply the nominal voltage by the capacity in amp-hours. A 3.7 V, 3,000 mAh battery is 3.7 × 3.0 = 11.1 Wh. Lithium-ion batteries must have the Wh rating printed on the case.

Can I ship an e-bike or scooter battery?

Most e-bike and e-scooter batteries are well above 100 Wh. On their own they are fully regulated Class 9 hazardous materials: UN packaging, hazard labels, shipping papers and a trained shipper, usually by ground freight. Batteries up to 300 Wh whose cells are each 60 Wh or less can go by highway or rail under a limited exception if the carrier accepts them. A complete scooter or e-bike with its battery installed ships by ground as UN3171, Battery-powered vehicle: with the battery secured and protected against short circuits, it needs no hazmat paperwork by highway or rail (49 CFR 173.220). By air, vehicles are fully regulated and the ICAO/IATA rules classify them as UN3556.

Can I ship used or damaged batteries?

Used batteries in good condition ship under the same 49 CFR rules as new ones. USPS is stricter: used devices go by ground only, spare batteries must be new in sealed packaging, and used devices cannot be mailed internationally or to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Damaged, defective or recalled batteries can move only by highway, rail or vessel in special Packing Group I packaging, never by air or USPS; use the manufacturer’s recall program or a battery recycler.