Shipping Lithium Battery from China

UN3480

The UN number shows that lithium-ion batteries are dangerous products and are getting shipped alone. There is no packaging inside the equipment, so they are dangerous. The United States number applies strict packaging conditions to ensure safe shipping nationwide.

UN3481

Do you have your batteries packed in the equipment? Sometimes, they come built-in within the laptops or other tools. They also require different types of handling. Remember, UN3480 and UN3481 are different terms as both pose different risks during shipping. The UN3481 is a slightly safer shipping than the UN3480.

UN3090

Instead of lithium-ion batteries, you can ship lithium-metal batteries. UN3090 classifies them as dangerous products as they can overheat and cause damage. So, opt for lithium metal batteries with strict packaging and shipping conditions.

UN3091

If your lithium metal batteries are packed inside the equipment or come with equipment, the UN3091 applies to such cases. Per the rules, the packaging is less strict as the chances of damage are less.

State of Charge (SoC)

When shipping batteries through air, they must be charged less than 30%. The state of charge shows the overall charging. The higher the charging is, the more risky it is to handle. It is because of the overheating of the batteries.

Watt-hour (Wh) Rating

Do you know how to highlight the battery's energy capacity? The simple formula is to multiply the ampere-hour capacity by the voltage. You'll get the battery's watt-hour rating.

IATA DGR: International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations.

IATA DGR implements the packaging, labeling, and shipping rules for lithium batteries. It ensures a safe shipping experience, causing no damage to the users.

IMDG Code: International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.

When shipping the lithium batteries through sea freight, the IMDG code applies. It focuses on preventing accidents due to unsafe shipping through the sea.

Class 9 Dangerous Goods

Class 9 includes all the dangerous materials that don't fit the other toxic or flammable materials categories. Lithium batteries are in this class due to their explosive and overheating nature.

Section II

Section II in IATA helps transport the smaller lithium batteries with fewer shipping restrictions. It shows the restricted packaging and labeling requirements and provides an easy shipping experience.

Section IB: IATA regulations for medium-sized lithium-ion battery shipments.

If you are shipping medium-sized batteries, IATA section IB applies. It gives a bit of strict regulations and packaging rules with the labeling requirements.

Section IA: IATA regulations for large lithium battery shipments.

Large lithium batteries come under the IATA section IA. It urges strict packaging and labeling requirements and ensures safe and easy shipping to the destination location.

Lithium Battery Mark

It is the label that shows the shipping of the lithium batteries. Any package that comprises the lithium batteries contains the lithium batteries mark.

CAO

Not only passenger aircraft can ship the products, but also cargo aircraft only. Lithium batteries are in bulk and are more risky to ship when you get the shipment only through cargo aircraft. The unique handling of the cargo allows safe shipping to the destination location.

Test Summary

Lithium batteries undergo the following tests.

• Assessments of shock resistance

• Temperature tolerance

• Short-circuit prevention

When they pass these tests, a test summary pops up on the scene. It tells about all the tests lithium batteries have passed and is safe for shipping to the destination location.

MSDS/SDS

Material Safety Data Sheet or Safety Data Sheet discloses extensive information about shipping and relevant hazards for lithium batteries. When opting for it, think about the shipping options. Also, I know how to handle emergency leaks and chemical releases. Keep the tools ready to seal the leaks.

Thermal Runaway

A battery cell can heat up due to any condition. It heats all other cells, leading to the collective heating of the battery. The explosion of one battery can affect the others and cause the whole explosion of the air cargo. Such a thermal runaway must be in the brain when handling the lithium batteries.

PI965

Shipping lithium-ion batteries alone is a risky case because of explosion, fire, or damage. All happens due to overheating during the journey. Packaging regulations are pretty strict and don't leave the users on dangerous ends.

PI966

If you are shipping packed or installed lithium-ion batteries in the equipment, it is not as much a concern as the alone one. Carriers or shippers get the relaxation when shipping such items.

PI967

Packaging instructions for lithium-ion batteries inside the equipment differ from those for alone batteries. It features reduced packaging restrictions and sighs relief to the shipping company.

Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are the most common ones nowadays. The EV vehicles comprise these batteries and go a long way to cover distances. It comes with a charging system and ensures an easy experience.

Lithium-metal batteries

Lithium metal batteries are often a component of medical devices and other equipment. Remember, they don't offer a charging system.

Differences and Implications of Shipping

Safety risks

Safety concerns are among the most significant reasons behind the reduced transport of lithium batteries.

For example:

• Fire and explosion hazards are high because of overheating or overcharging of the batteries.

• Leaking of the batteries can release toxic chemicals that are potentially hazardous for humans.

• Improper packaging can elevate the security risks and cause harm to the handlers.

Such security risks block the idea of lithium transport. When transported, consumers undergo extensive preparation and shield the shipping process.

Regulatory Compliance

How are you shipping? What types of lithium batteries are you shipping? All come with the different UN rules. Therefore, the packaging rules are pretty different from those of the others.

Moreover, the organizations such as:

• International Air Transport Association (IATA)

• International Maritime Organization (IMO)

They handle the shipping and apply strict rules for packaging and safe transportation.

Training Requirements

Staff training is another significant topic. It elevates the complexity of shipping and asks for safe shipments.

However, keeping the training sessions can be a burden. Proper handling tips are crucial. Adequate packaging is also a case in such aspects. All such cases require special training from the staff and other members for safe handling.

Liability Concerns

Who is responsible if the batteries explode? A single explosion can affect the whole vessel. Even insurance companies avoid the insurance for such material shipping.

Shipping companies have to pay for the shipping concerns. They have to deploy the rules and regulations. The whole process can be a hard nut and cause complicated shipments.

Equipment and Handling Needs

Lithium batteries require special UN-specified packaging. It prevents damage and reduces the risk of explosion or fire. However, it can be costly packaging that comes with such safe facilities.

Users have to come with fire suppression systems for the on-site fire handling.

Capacity Limitations

Shipping an unlimited number of lithium batteries is impossible. Whether sea or air shipping, all companies limit the number of batteries.

It can affect the profitability of your shipping and may cause safety concerns as well. You can't even ship them through passenger flights.

Incident History

The catastrophic events in history have led to more cautious shipping of lithium batteries. For example, the explosion of the 2010s has alerted shipping companies.

Whenever shipping occurs, it is more cautious and requires the proper handling of the products.

Insurance Issues

Do you think the insurance of the lithium batteries shipping is easy peasy? Never.

First, companies refuse to provide insurance coverage. They restrict the users from getting the whole coverage of the shipment. Second, the higher risks lead to expensive insurance costs. As a result, the consumers stick with the costly shipping with the least coverage of their shipping.

Variation in Regulations

Some are international regulations while others are local and vary from country to country. China has different regulations compared to the US. When shipping from China to another country, users must learn and follow the regulations.

Also, international fluctuations can affect the clearance of the products through customs. Handling costs and other factors also change the overall shipping prices of lithium batteries.

Customer Disclosure

Improper documentation or consumer disclosure is a significant problem. Some buyers don't mention their names. Some don't tell their carriers about the lithium batteries in their whole shipments.

It is better to complete the documentation and know the customer. Remove the security concerns and know the location.

UN3480 (lithium-ion batteries) and UN3090 (lithium-metal batteries)

UN3480 applies to the lithium-ion batteries. Due to potential thermal runaway, UN3480 defines the strict packaging and shipping rules. Consumers or shippers have to come up with the proper shipping plans and understand their safety during the batteries shipping.

UN3090 applies to the lithium batteries. Lithium metal is reactive and can cause the accident. Further management and packaging are necessary when managing lithium metal batteries.

International regulations: IATA DGR (air transport), IMDG Code (sea transport)

Are you shipping through the air or sea? Both have different authorities governing the shipping. For example:

• Air transport. IATA DGR controls air transport and ensures strict packaging rules. It confirms if your labels are accurate and shipping is safe.

• Sea transport. IMDG code applies to sea transport. It offers less strict shipping rules and decent packaging terms.

The unique challenges and regulations

In many cases, the shippers fail to adhere to the terms, resulting in fines.

• Non-compliance. Understanding rules but not following them is a crucial thing.

• Shipping from China alerts the international authorities. They go through extensive checkups.

• You must grab the detailed documents when shipping from China. It gives a sense of risk to the users.

JustChinaIt's role

JustChinaIt is a game-changer in this industry. The extensive features and services can prevent damages and accident cases. It is because it helps:

• Batteries meet the IATA and IMDG codes, and shipping resolution is simple.

• Inspection allows shipping safety and ensures a quick response to improper packaging. JustChinaIt ensures all packages meet the necessary criteria.

Step-by-step guide on packaging lithium batteries safely.

Commencing the first journey toward safe shipping is fun. You can follow the below steps to get the safe packaging.

• Step 1: Choose Packaging

Consider all the UN classes and know the packaging. Ensure the packaging is quite robust and meets international standards. Use fire-resistant liners to avoid uninvited accidents.

• Step 2: Separate Batteries

Don't put batteries together. The short circuit can be to blame for the whole accident. So, separate your batteries and enjoy the safe shipping experience.

• Step 3: Limit battery charge

How much is your battery charged? Less than 30% is a good idea. It offers the easy and safe shipping without causing prominent accidents.

• Step 4: Seal and Ship

Once you are ready, it is time to seal the packaging. Use the correct labeling and adhere to the lithium battery mark for recognition. Now, seal and ship.

Specific labeling requirements

Some specific labeling requirements can affect the labeling and shipping. Usually, consider:

• Class 9 hazardous materials markings to ensure the material is dangerous and needs special care.

• Add the lithium batteries mark to further highlight the significance of safe handling.

• Fasten the aircraft shipping only on the packages that need air shipping.

How can JustChinait assist?

JustChinaIt has a team of experts who can handle the shipping and tracking. Plus, they ensure the packages meet international rules and adhere to the safety terms.

You get:

• Quality checks

• Air shipping and sea freight safety

• Ease of shipping with the experts

Inspection before shipping can assist in its safety.

Air freight

Air freight can be a favorable option. But choose it carefully.

Pros include:

• Speed. You get the fast delivery through the air freight. It takes a week or less for the shipping to reach your doorstep.

• Special handling. Air shipping is safe for dangerous goods like Lithium batteries. Special care helps manage the batteries better.

Cons include:

• Higher costs. Air shipping is always more expensive than sea shipping.

• Strict regulations. IATA has deployed strict shipping and packaging rules. It can be a headache for the shippers.

Sea Freight

Pros include:

• Cheapest options. Don't worry about the price. Compared to air or express shipping, it is the cheapest choice.

• Bulk shipping. You can ship hundreds of batteries and save extra costs through this option.

Cons include:

• Sea freight is also the slowest shipping compared to all other shipping methods.

• Expensive for small orders. If you want to ship a few batteries minus the sea freight from your shipping solutions.

Express and cross-border shipping

Express and cross-border shipping solutions are the most favorable choices when you have the following:

• A small number of batteries to ship

• Less risky shipping

• Urgent item delivery to your doorstep

Express shipping comes with delivery in less than a week.

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) vs. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)

DDU is the shipping term for which the buyer is responsible for all import and customs taxes and clearance. Seller only ships products in some cases. However, this method is an idea for businesses that want to save some costs while slashing the upfront taxes.

DDP keeps the seller responsible for customs clearance and taxes across the border. It ensures the buyer gets shipping freedom.

Choose a reliable freight forwarder experienced with hazardous goods.

A reliable freight forwarder can speed up the delivery from one border to another. Get ready with the following tips for the top team selection.

• Know expertise

• Assess experience

• Consider the quality of shipping

• Read reviews

• Talk about your shipping project.

• Know the safety of shipping.

• Get the tracking

If a shipping company showers all these features, it gives a green signal.

Decide on shipping method (air, sea, or land)

Air, sea, and land shipping comes with specific pros and cons. Look at the comparison when selecting the relevant shipping method.

Coordinate transportation schedule and delivery timelines.

Talk to your freight forwarders and remain in touch 24/7. Discuss the schedules and know the delivery timelines. Know the shipping schedules for the lithium batteries.

Consider:

• Shipping is quick.

• There are no delays due to any event or holiday. Otherwise, ship before or after the event.

• Shipping companies adhere to the shipping terms and regulations discussed with them.

Ensure all necessary documentation is in place for customs clearance and import.

Customs clearance requires an extensive list of documents. These include:

• Bill of lading

• Packing list

• Commercial invoices

• Product details

• Specified packaging and labeling

• Lithium battery mark

• Special handling adherence

• Licenses and certificates related to the safety of the lithium batteries.

All these things can get a quick clearance at the import and export borders of the China and destination country.

Supplier Verification and Due Diligence

Supplier verification is the hit choice for the time. It is because:

• You know a supplier is 100% authentic.

• Quality is a must-have with such a supplier.

• There are no fraud risks.

• Compliance and adherence to rules is another significant advantage.

When verifying the supplier:

• Know the factory locations

• Assess the sample quality

• Check the communication skills

• Consider the cutting-edge production techniques.

Customs Clearance Procedures

Apart from the above documents, you must submit:

• Lithium battery test summary

• UN certification

The customs process consists of:

• Document submission— you already did.

• Inspection— team checks products. It verifies the safety and quality of the items.

• Clearance— get a clean chit for your shipments.

After the customs team clears your shipments, you can receive your products.

International Shipping Regulations

Learn about the IATA regulations for International shipping. It ensures you get quality packaging that promises a safe journey without sparking or short-circuiting. Second is the IMDC codes that work for sea shipping. It provides you with shipping the batteries with the required packaging to your destination.

Duties, Taxes, and Tariffs

Import duties vary from one company to another. However, you must explore customs taxes and duties when importing products into your country. Whether DDU or DDP, pay your taxes accordingly.

Working with Customs Brokers

Customs brokers are the agents that can accelerate your customs clearance by doing the necessary paperwork. When shipping from China, there are hundreds of quality customs brokers.

Know their:

• Professional document accumulation skills.

• Experience and expertise in the clearance.

• Coordination with the buyers and shippers.

China's dominance in lithium battery manufacturing.

Market trends for lithium batteries production stand China as a lone warrior in this industry. The extensive production capabilities make the manufacturers famous.

According to Statista, the market size of lithium batteries in China is 150 billion yuan.

Such extensive production shows the dominance of China in the lithium battery production industries. Plus, quality production allows users to ship products flawlessly from suppliers to global buyers.

Why does sourcing from China can be advantageous for foreign buyers?

If you are considering a purchase from China, relax. It could be a worthwhile deal because of the urges of the Chinese suppliers.

• Reduced prices

China has a diversity of suppliers and an extensive range of products. Moreover, the raw materials are not high. Bulk production also cuts the prices short. So, overall consumers fetch competitive rates and enjoy affordable lithium batteries.

• Access to better technology

Chinese manufacturers have advanced manufacturing systems. Their cutting-edge technology is impressive. You get advanced battery solutions that are safer for users.

• Bulk production

If you are a business looking to grab some perks from your profits, hunt down the bulk production. Extensive manufacturing plants in China allow bulk production.

• Extensive shipping facilities

China has hundreds of shipping companies. Guess what? Most of them are reputed and ship orders to US, UK, and European regions regularly. So, shipping to your location is more of a hassle for them. Their expertise can provide you with safe shipping solutions.

How does JustChinait provide full-spectrum support for foreign buyers?

JustChinaIt provides end-to-end solutions with its sourcing solutions integrated with shipping.

Our team sources the lithium batteries from your manufacturers and assesses the quality. The story doesn't end as we go beyond the mere sourcing. Instead, we assess the product's quality and get affordable shipping rates with our shipping solutions.

So, you ensure full-fledged opportunities for your lithium batteries shopping and shipping from China.

Potential risks

You must fight the following risks when purchasing or shipping your lithium batteries.

• Fire hazard

Overheating of the lithium can cause a thermal runaway. It happens when you have overcharged the batteries. The charging is more than 50% and the batteries are lying close to one another. Fire can injure the handling staff and might have heavy explosions.

• Shipment delays

Have you followed the transportation terms for lithium batteries? Sometimes, the non-compliance is the cause of delay. If it is not, ensure there is no event or holiday nearby. Delays can occur due to national holidays and staff shortages for the time being.

• Regulatory hold-ups

Non-compliance with the IATA and IMDG regulations holds your inventory at the borders. As a result, it results in regulatory bottlenecks until you comply with their regulations.

How JustChinait helps mitigate these risks.

JustChinaIt comes with the power-packed services. For example, you get:

• Quality assessment. The team screens through all the lithium batteries and ensures their safety. It checks if there are any short-circuiting.

• Effective management. The efficient management in the warehouses is another idea. It saves the users from accidents and financial losses.

• Easy clearance. We prepare all the documents to get instant clearance from the customs team. So, relax and enjoy the easy clearance options.

• Fast shipping. Don't worry about the rapid shipping options. Instead, get the express air freight with the JustChinaIt or enjoy the air freight shipping.

Factors that impact the cost of shipping lithium batteries

Distance and strict packaging can elevate or decrease the costs. Consider all the necessary factors below.

• Distance

The longer the destination country is, the more expensive the shipping is. It is due to fuel costs and fluctuations in other prices. Determining the distance can also be valuable in assessing the costs.

• Shipment size

Bulk shipping is cheaper than single-item shipping. Using consolidated orders can also save costs. Shipment size can increase or decrease the overall shipping costs.

• Packaging

The double-layered packaging is more expensive than the single-layered one. Moreover, the quality of packaging also matters a lot. Whenever choosing a packaging, you must know the various types of valid packages for lithium batteries. Opt for the one with the reduced prices.

• Compliance costs

How much is required to pay for your certificates? Matching the rules and regulations is an add-on of costs. So, consider it when shipping lithium batteries from China.

Strategies for cost-saving

Let's turn on some saving ideas.

• Bulk shipping

Shipping multiple orders is a more cost-saving idea. If you order and ship ten batches of lithium batteries, ship them at once. If possible, wait for all the products to arrive on time from the suppliers and then ship.

• Consolidation services

Combine two or more orders and save the costs. It is 100% true compared to the indivisible order shipping. So, consumers can ship the products from China to the destination country with affordable shipping costs.

How JustChinait's one-stop solution can optimize your supply chain for better ROI.

JustChinaIt provides a one-stop solution. You can maximize your profits by:

• Consolidate orders to reduce shipping costs.

• Reduce the overall shipping costs with the bulk shipping plans.

• JustChinaIt already offers competitive shipping quotes.

Sourcing

JustChinaIt dives deep into the market to source and know the current conditions and fluctuations. In that case, it explores the top-class suppliers based on their expertise, reputation, and quality assessment.

Negotiation of the prices and selection of the trading terms.

Quality Checks

Don't worry, even if you land a useless supplier. JustChinaIt has a series of quality checks.

• Pre-production analysis. In this step, we assess the quality of raw materials. It guarantees superior lithium batteries with a long life and decreased damage risks.

• Production analysis. JustChinaIt understands the worth of quality during the production. So, we get a chance to explore one product from each batch. It sheds light on the batch quality and gives an idea of overall production.

• Pre-shipment analysis. Before we shop the products, get a final inspection. It confirms the lithium batteries are the next-gen quality and are safe to ship.

Order consolidation

Do you have lithium battery orders from multiple suppliers? Well, shipping and storage can be made more economical with order consolidation services.

JustChinaIt combines all your orders and ships them to your location at no extra cost.

Warehousing

Warehousing is another crucial subject to discuss. It is because of the toxic potential of the lithium batteries. They must have premium quality and undergo a safety test. Apart from that, the management of the warehouse can promise the safety of the whole warehouse.

JustChinaIt deploys the top team to manage the products in the warehouse. It tells the number of stocks left. Sellers can avoid the stockouts or overstocking of the lithium batteries with an accurate approach.

Shipping

Finally, get safe and quality shipping through multiple methods like:

• Air shipping

• Sea shipping

• Land shipping

JustChinaIt facilitates the consumers with all the shipping methods. Fetch all the shipping options at the reduced prices. Enjoy higher profits now!