Shipping Batteries Safely

Packaging Requirements:
For transport by air: Each cell, or battery and cell, must have
a safety vent or contain cap posts in order to prevent shortcircuiting, as well as a violent rupture, under typical air
transport conditions. To further protect against a dangerous
short-circuit, pack batteries side-by-side.
Outer packaging must meet Packing Group II performance
standards.
Non-Conductive Divider
Cushioning
Sturdy Outer Container
Fig. 5
Sample Packaging:
Multiple Lithium Batteries
Dry Cell Batteries:
Shipping
Batteries Safely:
What FedEx Wants
You to Know
These are the sealed, non-vented batteries
used in flashlights or small appliances.
They contain zinc salts and other solids
or may be packed in combination with
other metals.
Fig. 8
Sample Packaging:
Dry Cell Batteries
• Cushioning
• Divider
Packaging
Requirements:
Pack these batteries
securely side-by-side,
in order to prevent
movement or dangerous
short-circuit.
Fig. 9
Improper Packaging:
Loose batteries can cause
dangerous short-circuit
Fig. 6
Improper Packaging:
• Missing Protective Covers
• Missing Non-Conductive Divider
• Missing Cushioning
When electronics
are transported with
batteries, the batteries
should remain within
the device.
Additional Requirements:
• Devices must be left in the
off position.
• Items must be properly cushioned to prevent movement.
FedEx will refuse to accept packages not meeting
FedEx, Government or IATA requirements.
This brochure is in no way intended to replace the
training requirement mandated by 49CFR and IATA.
This is for information purposes only. Refer to the
current FedEx Service Guide for terms, conditions
and limitations applicable to FedEx Express®
delivery services.
• Contents must be placed in a sturdy outer container
Battery Short-Circuit
Batteries may overheat
and become a fire or
explosion hazard if the
terminals are shortcircuited. Protect terminals
from foreign objects and
freight to avoid conductivity.
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Fig. 7
Example of a typical battery incident
For more information call
1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339, option 81 or go to
our Web site at fedex.com.
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Copyright ©2006
Federal Express Corporation.
All rights reserved.
05/06
24617
Transporting
Batteries by Air.
At FedEx, we understand the importance of ensuring
the safe transport of batteries throughout our system.
Charged batteries may short-circuit and cause a
fire and some batteries contain corrosive liquid.
Therefore, if proper packaging requirements are not
met, these shipments may cause a variety of
problems during transport. FedEx is providing this
information guide to
assist you in safely
packaging batteries
for shipment.
Wet Batteries:
Lithium Batteries:
• UN2794 batteries wet filled with
acid, electric storage.
• UN3090 lithium batteries,
rechargeable and
nonrechargeable.
• UN2795 batteries wet filled
with alkali, electric storage.
Regulations.
The regulations pertaining to transporting lithium cells
and batteries have changed significantly. Testing and
transportation requirements are found in Title 49CFR 173.185
and the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. The U.S. Department
of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (DOT PHMSA), recently implemented a
prohibition of primary (nonrechargeable) lithium batteries on
passenger-carrying aircraft. The prohibition, which became
effective on Dec. 29, 2004, was enacted based on research
from incidents involving the transport of lithium batteries.
Packaging Requirements:
Outer packaging must be UN Specification Packaging, as
pictured in Fig. 1 on page 2. These containers must incorporate
an acid/alkali leak-proof liner adequately sealed to prevent
leakage in the event of a spill.
Securely fasten the batteries with the fill openings and
vents facing upward. This will prevent short-circuiting.
Check the orientation labels on the outside of the packaging
to determine the upright position: the words “This End Up”
or “This Side Up” may be displayed on top of the package.
Packaging Requirements:
Securely pack in strong outer packaging. Be sure to protect
against short-circuiting by positioning batteries side-by-side.
• Lithium batteries and cells shipped under "Competent
Authority" granted by any national authority.
Inner Container
Packaging Requirements for Primary Lithium Batteries:
• Primary lithium batteries and cells must be individually
packaged in fully enclosed inner packaging consisting of
plastic blister wrap, pasteboard or other fully enclosed
packaging that will protect each battery and cell from
making contact with another lithium battery or cell, or any
item that is capable of conducting electricity, in order to
prevent short-circuiting. Please note: Multiple batteries
enclosed in a single form-fitting "retail ready" blister pack
are acceptable.
Fig. 2
Sample Packaging:
Multiple Wet Batteries
Nonspillable Batteries:
In accordance with 49CFR 173.159 and USG-11, a
nonspillable wet electric storage battery may be regarded
as not subject to the Regulations if
the battery and its outer packaging
are plainly and durably marked
”NONSPILLABLE“ or
”NONSPILLABLE BATTERY“ and
the battery meets the conditions
for being regarded as not subject to
the Regulations as prescribed in Special
Provision A67 (No shipper’s declaration required).
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• The above requirements are in addition to the IATA
dangerous-goods regulations and any other packaging
or shipping requirements.
For more information and procedures on shipping primary
lithium batteries, see Lithium Batteries UN 3090 Under
IATA Special Provision A45 or Lithium Batteries UN 3090
Fully Regulated.
Fig. 3
Sample Packaging:
A45 Special Provision Package
Lithium Battery
in Blister Pack
Divider
• Lithium batteries and cells previously excepted from other
regulatory requirements in the IATA dangerous-good
regulations Special Provision A45.
Sturdy Outer
Container
All metal containers
must incorporate an
acid/alkali leak-proof
liner adequately sealed
to prevent leakage in
the event of a spill.
While the law does not prohibit primary lithium batteries on
cargo aircraft, FedEx Express has implemented additional
packaging requirements on primary lithium batteries as
outlined below. This policy applies to:
• Lithium batteries and cells shipped fully marked, labeled
and certified in accordance with the International Air
Transport Association (IATA) dangerous-goods regulations.
• FedEx Express Dangerous Goods Administration will
maintain an internal list of approved shippers. Shippers
cannot continue to ship primary lithium batteries unless
they are on the approved shipper list. Contact FedEx
Express Dangerous Goods Administration or your FedEx
account executive for details on how to be placed on
the list.
Cushioning
Non-Conductive Divider
Fig. 1
UN SPECIFICATION
PACKAGING
Express Dangerous Goods Administration. Contact FedEx
Express Dangerous Goods Administration or your FedEx
account executive for complete details and procedures.
Sturdy Outer
Container
Fig. 4
Sample Packaging:
Fully Regulated UN3090
Cushioning
Lithium Batteries
Individually Packaged
UN Specification Packaging
• Shippers are required to contact FedEx Express Dangerous
Goods Administration and certify that they comply with
this lithium battery and cell standard.
Sample of Primary
Nonrechargeable
Lithium Battery
(Prior to Packaging)
• We will accept shipments of primary lithium batteries and
cells offered as "excepted" or nonregulated per the IATA
dangerous-goods regulations with preapproval from FedEx
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