Shipping Alkaline Batteries Internationally
From toothbrushes to Teslas, lithium batteries power countless products that support our daily lives. However, shipping these batteries and battery-powered equipment internationally comes with a lot of restrictions.
These include the requirement to have a national authority or carrier approve your shipment. You must also pack your shipment according to guidelines and provide a UN 38.3 certificate.
Safety Measures
If you’re shipping batteries or products that run on them, there are certain precautions that you must take. These include selecting strong outer packaging and ensuring that the battery terminals aren’t touching metal objects in the container, as this could spark or short circuit them. It’s also important to protect the batteries from shifting in transit.
The shipping guidelines for batteries and battery cells vary depending on their size and type. For example, lithium batteries (and battery cells) are regulated as hazardous goods and require special documentation and packing. They must be clearly marked with a hazard label and packed in a container that meets UN specifications. Moreover, the batteries must be protected from external heat and cold. They must also be kept upright to prevent leakage. Lithium ion batteries must also be tested to ensure that they don’t have a high lithium content. The test requires the batteries to undergo a variety of tests, including thermal shock, vibration, impact and an external short circuit. The manufacturer or supplier of the batteries must arrange this testing.
While these rules may seem cumbersome, they are designed to ensure the safety of passengers and employees. Non-compliance with these guidelines can have severe consequences, such as fires on airplanes or ship sinkings. For this reason, it’s best to work with a specialised courier service that understands the complex regulations surrounding shipping batteries.
Packaging
Many electronic products and gadgets are powered by batteries, from wristwatches to smoke detectors. Some of these devices are power tools, laptops or electric vehicles and have very specific shipping requirements because of the lithium batteries inside. Lithium batteries contain a flammable electrolyte and can overheat or ignite during the long transit times of air freight or sea cargo.
Because of the risks, there are a lot of restrictions when shipping batteries or battery-powered devices internationally. It’s best to only ship them when necessary. If you need to move an item with a battery overseas, choose a trusted shipping provider with experience handling dangerous goods. A shipping company shipping alkaline batteries internationally with no experience could end up rejecting your shipment, which could delay your delivery and disappoint customers.
Choose UN specification packagingopens in new tab, which has passed special tests to withstand changes in pressure and temperature. Use plenty of non-conductive filler material and make sure the batteries are packed securely so they can’t shift during transit. Also, use dividers if you have multiple batteries to prevent them from coming into contact with each other or metal objects like other batteries or metal in the packaging.
Never ship damaged or faulty batteries as they are likely to explode and cause fires. Look for swelling, leaking or corrosion on the terminals.
Labeling
In addition to the proper packaging and handling, you’ll also need to use the correct labels when shipping alkaline batteries internationally. This is because they are classified as a dangerous good, and any incorrect information can result in large fines or rejected shipments. The labeling requirements are different for each mode of transportation, so it’s important to read and understand the regulations.
Alkaline batteries are the most common battery chemistry, and they’re used in devices such as flashlights, alarm clocks and remote controls. They offer commendable performance at low drain rates and a relatively long shelf-life. Moreover, they work well in cold and hot weather conditions. They’re more durable than carbon batteries and are easy to replace when they run out of power.
The best way to pack batteries is in UN specification packagingopens in new tab, which has passed tests to ensure it can withstand drops and pressure changes during transit. You should choose a rigid outer box forwarder agent in China that can be secured with tape, and fill the box with non-conductive packing material to prevent the batteries from shifting during transport. You should also place the correct PI number on the package and include a description of the batteries and their watt-hour rating.
Lithium metal cells and batteries are also considered Class 9 Dangerous Goods, but they have slightly different shipping requirements depending on the mode of transport (e.g. ocean vs. air). You must also include a description of the batteries and their classification number on the label.
Declaring
Many batteries are considered dangerous goods to transport because of their chemistry and energy storage capacity. They must be labelled correctly and shipped with special care to ensure that they don’t pose a risk to the public or cargo. This is why it’s important to understand what the rules are for shipping these items internationally. Incorrect declarations can lead to a shipment being lost or damaged. It can also result in fines or other penalties.
Most people will be familiar with alkaline batteries. These are common household dry-cell batteries that come in AA, AAA, and C sizes. These are considered nonhazardous for shipping purposes, but they must be insulated to prevent them from activating devices during transit.
As the world becomes more and more engaged in fighting climate change and promoting sustainability policies, battery companies are making efforts to reduce their environmental impact throughout all stages of production. In addition to reducing their carbon footprint, battery manufacturers are taking steps to ensure that their raw materials come from ethical sources.
Although these measures are a great step forward, they are still not enough to fully address the impact of the battery industry on the environment. This is why the new European Battery Regulation was created. This legislation will set a global benchmark in terms of sustainability and battery end-of-life management.