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Shipping UN 3480 Lithium Batteries (Class 9) & SP188 – What You Need to Know

Lithium batteries are classified as Dangerous Goods and are heavily regulated for transport by road, air and sea. If you are shipping lithium-ion batteries — either as standalone units or within products — it is critical to understand whether your goods fall under UN 3480 Class 9 or qualify for the SP188 small battery exemption.

At Scale 3PL, we help brands navigate these regulations safely and compliantly.

What is UN 3480?

UN 3480 applies to:

Lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own (not packed with or inside equipment).

These batteries are classified as:

• Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

• Fully regulated under ADR (road), IMDG (sea), and IATA (air)

This includes:

• Power banks

• Loose e-bike batteries

• Replacement lithium-ion battery packs

• Battery modules shipped separately

UN 3480 Shipping Requirements

When batteries exceed SP188 limits, they are fully regulated as Dangerous Goods and require:

✔ Class 9 hazard label

✔ UN 3480 marking

✔ UN-approved packaging

✔ Dangerous Goods documentation (DGN for sea, Shipper’s Declaration for air)

✔ Trained and certified personnel handling the shipment

✔ UN38.3 testing certification

Air freight in particular has stricter rules, including state of charge limitations (typically max 30% SOC for cargo aircraft).

Non-compliance can result in carrier refusal, fines, shipment delays or seizure.

What is SP188?

Special Provision 188 (SP188) provides a limited exemption for small lithium batteries that fall below defined energy thresholds.

Lithium-ion limits under SP188:

• Maximum 20Wh per cell

• Maximum 100Wh per battery

If the batteries fall within these limits, they are not fully regulated as Class 9 Dangerous Goods.

This is common for:

• Mobile phone batteries

• Laptop batteries

• Small consumer electronics

• Most power banks under 100Wh

SP188 Shipping Requirements

Although SP188 removes full Class 9 requirements, it is not a free pass.

You must still:

• Use strong outer packaging

• Protect against short circuits

• Ensure UN38.3 compliance

• Apply the Lithium Battery Mark (with correct UN number) where required

• Provide a contact telephone number on the mark

SP188 shipments do not require:

• A Class 9 hazard diamond

• A Dangerous Goods Note (for ADR road freight)

• UN specification packaging

However, carrier-specific rules still apply — particularly for air freight.

UN 3480 vs SP188 – What’s the Difference?

FeatureUN 3480 (Class 9)SP188Fully regulated DGYesNo (limited exemption)Class 9 label requiredYesNoDangerous Goods paperworkYesNo (road/sea)UN specification packagingYesNoLithium Battery MarkNo (uses Class 9 label instead)YesWh limit appliesNo upper limitMax 100Wh per battery

Why Compliance Matters

Lithium batteries are one of the most commonly detained cargo types worldwide. Incorrect labelling or documentation can:

• Delay fulfilment operations

• Lead to rejected shipments

• Trigger compliance audits

• Damage your carrier relationships

For eCommerce brands, this can quickly escalate into customer service issues and reputational risk.

How Scale 3PL Supports Lithium Battery Shipping

At Scale 3PL, we:

• Assess whether your products qualify under SP188

• Verify UN38.3 documentation

• Ensure correct labelling and packaging

• Manage compliant road, sea and air movements

• Provide guidance on carrier restrictions

Whether you're shipping small consumer electronics or standalone lithium battery packs, we ensure your fulfilment operation remains compliant and scalable.

packing and labelling Lithium Batteries?

Click here for packaging and courier labelling guidelines

Need Help Shipping Lithium Batteries?

If you're unsure whether your product falls under UN 3480 or SP188, our compliance team can review your specifications and advise on the correct shipping solution.

Speak to our team today to ensure your lithium battery shipments are compliant from day one.

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