Electronics & batteries

To ensure safe and compliant transportation of electric products and lithium batteries, adherence to a series of documents and regulatory standards is essential.

Electrically charged products are categorized into three main types:
 

• Lithium batteries - Used in devices like watches, cameras, and smartphones, are classified as Class 9 dangerous goods

• Dry batteries - Commonly found in clocks and remote controls, are typically non-hazardous, with a few exceptions falling under Class 4 or 8

• Wet batteries - Used in vehicles and industrial equipment, are also Class 9 due to their corrosive components

The following documents are critical for the customs clearance and shipping:

• UN38.3 Test Report: For lithium batteries, a UN38.3 Test Report is mandatory as per the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, demonstrating that the battery meets safety transportation standards.

• MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet): A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product. Customs and clients in EU countries mainly use MSDS to confirm the percentage of composition of battery products as well as accident protection measures. Otherwise, alkaline batteries, zinc-manganese batteries, zinc carbon batteries and general dry batteries are considered non-hazardous and do not require MSDS for export.

• Dangerous Goods Packaging Certificate: A certificate proving that the packaging container meets the requirements for transporting dangerous goods.

• Classification Identification Report: A report detailing the hazardous nature of the product, including hazard class, subclass, and packaging group.

Some documents you need for transport:

• Dangerous Goods Transportation Declaration: States the goods are dangerous and provides safety details.

• Dangerous Goods Transportation Labels: Must be affixed to the packaging, indicating the category and subclass of the goods.

• Dangerous Goods Transportation Folder: Contains all relevant documents for inspection.

You may need to prepare some additional documents:

• Commercial Invoice: Details the commercial value and transaction specifics.

• Packing List: Lists the types, quantities, and weights of goods.

• Export License: May be needed for certain countries

• Import Country Documents: May include permits, health certificates, etc., as required by the destination country.

IMDG and IATA

Compliance with international standards, such as the IMO's IMDG Code and IATA's Dangerous Goods Regulations, is crucial for lithium battery transport.

The IMDG code that regulates the safety by sea
Here you will find an introduction to the IMDG code, for the transport of dangerous goods by sea

IATA regulates Air Freight of dangerous goods
Here you will find more information about IATA

Contact us

The specific requirements may vary according to the type of goods, the regulations of the country of destination and the mode of transport. 

If you have any questions about shipping electronics or batteries, please contact us directly!