Shipping Lithium Batteries: UN Numbers and What Goes on the Documents
Lithium batteries are Class 9 dangerous goods, and whether shipped on their own or inside a product, they must be declared for both sea (IMDG Code) and air (IATA DGR) transport. Lithium-ion batteries shipped alone are UN 3480; batteries contained in or packed with equipment are UN 3481. Lithium metal batteries are UN 3090 and UN 3091. Shipments need a UN 38.3 test summary and a safety data sheet (SDS), and the packing list and commercial invoice must state these clearly — if the documents are unclear, the forwarder cannot book space.
Also known as: lithium battery dangerous goods, UN3480, UN3481, UN38.3, IMDG, IATA DGR
Timeline
- In forceLithium batteries and products containing lithium batteries must be declared whenever they are shipped
Industries affected
- E-bikes and e-scooters
- Battery installed in the bike: UN 3481; battery packed in a separate carton: UN 3480.
- Power tools and garden tools
- Different packing instructions apply depending on whether the battery is packed with the tool or separately.
- Electronics, wearables and power banks
- Power banks are treated as standalone batteries (UN 3480).
What your EU buyer will ask for
- UN number: UN 3480 (lithium-ion batteries on their own) / UN 3481 (contained in or packed with equipment)
- UN 38.3 test summary and safety data sheet (SDS)
- Stated clearly on the packing list and commercial invoice so your forwarder can book space
What to do now
- Get the UN 38.3 test summary from your battery supplier — it is the basic document for booking space.
- Confirm the UN number and packing configuration; together they decide the applicable packing instruction and labels.
- Show the UN number, battery watt-hour rating (Wh) and quantity on the packing list and commercial invoice, and confirm with your forwarder which dangerous goods declaration format they need.
Packing list and commercial invoice content is already assembled by a single standard document layer, so screen, print and future exports all use the same data; fields for UN numbers and dangerous goods notes are still in development. This part is still in development and not yet available.
FAQ
What is the difference between UN 3480 and UN 3481?
UN 3480 covers lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own (including power banks). UN 3481 covers lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment or packed with equipment. The same e-bike ships as UN 3481 with the battery on the bike; with the battery in a separate carton it is UN 3480, which has stricter limits.
What is UN 38.3?
The lithium battery transport safety tests in section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, covering altitude simulation, thermal, vibration, shock, external short circuit and more. A battery must pass these tests before it can be shipped, and you need to be able to provide the test summary with the shipment. This document comes from the battery manufacturer.
Legal sources
This page is based on the original EU legal texts, verified on 2026-09-21. The rules are still being amended and we review them monthly. HS classification is subject to customs rulings. This guide is meant to help you understand where you stand and is not legal advice — please confirm your actual obligations with your EU buyer and customs broker.