Lithium batteries power medical devices, industrial equipment, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles, but their classification as dangerous goods means shipping them requires strict compliance with international regulations. Regulatory bodies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code enforce specific labeling and handling requirements to ensure safe transport. Improper labeling can lead to shipment rejections, delays, regulatory fines, or even legal penalties, making it essential to understand the correct procedures.

Whether you’re a Quality Control Manager, Logistics Coordinator, or Compliance Officer, understanding how to classify and label lithium batteries correctly is essential to avoiding fines, preventing shipping delays, and ensuring transport safety.

This comprehensive guide will help you:

• Understand the two classifications of lithium batteries

• Learn which shipping labels are required

• Ensure compliance with DOT, IATA, and IMDG regulations

• Avoid costly labeling mistakes

Let’s break down everything you need to know about lithium battery shipping labels and compliance.

• Medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, defibrillators)

• Military-grade equipment (e.g., communication devices, tracking beacons)

• GPS units and remote sensors

• Smoke detectors and emergency backup power supplies

For shipping, lithium metal batteries are classified as:

• UN 3090 – Lithium metal batteries shipped alone

• UN 3091 – Lithium metal batteries shipped in or with equipment

Because of their classification as dangerous goods, lithium metal batteries must be properly labeled, packaged, and declared for transport to comply with international shipping regulations.

• Laptops, smartphones, tablets, and wearable technology

• Medical imaging devices and hospital equipment

• Cordless power tools and industrial battery packs

• Electric vehicles (EVs), drones, and energy storage systems

For shipping, lithium-ion batteries are classified as:

• UN 3480 – Lithium-ion batteries shipped alone

• UN 3481 – Lithium-ion batteries shipped in or with equipment

Lithium battery labels must be placed on the exterior of the package, fully visible and unobstructed by tape or other markings. For shipments containing multiple lithium battery types, each must have its own corresponding label to ensure proper identification. Labels must comply with IATA, IMDG, DOT (49 CFR), and ICAO regulations, which govern air, sea, and ground transport.

Failure to meet these requirements can result in financial loss or other consequences outlined below, so always verify label compliance with current regulatory standards before shipping.

The Lithium Battery Mark is required for most shipments of small lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries that do not meet the threshold for fully regulated dangerous goods classification. It serves as a warning that a package contains lithium batteries and requires special handling to prevent short circuits and damage. To be compliant, the Lithium Battery Mark must display a red dashed border, a black battery symbol with flames, and the appropriate UN number (such as UN 3480 or UN 3090).

This label is most commonly used for consumer electronics, medical device batteries, and small battery shipments that are not subject to the stricter regulations of bulk or high-capacity lithium battery transport.

For lithium-ion batteries exceeding 100 Wh or lithium-metal batteries containing more than 2 grams of lithium, shipments are classified as fully regulated dangerous goods and must bear a Class 9 Hazard Label. This label has a black-and-white striped background and a pictogram of a battery with flames, indicating that the package contains materials with potential safety risks.

Any bulk shipments of lithium batteries by air or sea must carry this label, and additional documentation, such as a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods, may also be required.

Some lithium battery shipments cannot be transported on passenger aircraft due to fire hazards. In these cases, packages must be marked with a Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) Label, which has an orange background and a black airplane symbol.

This label is mandatory for standalone lithium-ion batteries exceeding 300 Wh or lithium-metal batteries that exceed 2 grams of lithium content. Shipments marked with this label must be routed exclusively on cargo aircraft, and failure to comply can result in severe fines or shipment rejection.