Lithium Batteries Best Practice – 019 (Revision 3 – Issued 07Dec2021)

Important Notes for All Lithium Cells / Batteries of All Sections:

- Each cell and battery must have completed the UN38.3 test.
- Manufacturers and subsequent distributors of cells or batteries manufactured after 30 June 2003 must make
available the test summary as specified in the UN Manual of Test and Criteria, Part III, sub-section 38.3,
paragraph 38.3.5 [63rd Edition of IATA DGR 3.9.2.6.1 point (g)].
- Section IA of PI 965/ Section I of PI 966 & PI 967 batteries manufactured after 31 December 2011 and Section
IB of PI 965/ Section II of PI 966 & PI 967 batteries manufactured after 1 January 2009 must be marked with the
watt-hour rating on the outside case. (63rd Edition of IATA DGR PI965 / PI966 & PI967)
- Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme.
- Waste cells and batteries, cells and batteries identified by the manufacturer as being defective for safety
reasons, or that have been damaged, having the potential of producing a dangerous evolution of heat, fire or
short circuit are forbidden for air transport.
- Cells and batteries must be protected so as to prevent short circuits, and equipment must be equipped with an
effective means of preventing accidental activation.
- Subject to the decision of individual carriers, relevant supporting documents of the shipment could be
requested from shippers / forwarders. Supporting documents can be in the form of UN38.3 test report, UN38.3
test summary or SDS, or others, such as Product Data Sheet (PDS), and Product Information Sheet (PIS) that
meet the acceptance needs of individual carriers.

Best Practice for Consigning Lithium Cells / Batteries in Hong Kong

Following the latest changes on the air transport of Lithium Cells / Batteries shipment as per the 63rd edition of the
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, the Lithium Battery Best Practice 019 will replace Best Practice 018 and take
effect from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2022. Shippers consigning Lithium Cells and / or Batteries from 1
January 2022 and onwards are recommended to follow the best practice as stated below.

The best practice is jointly issued by the Carrier Liaison Group – Dangerous Goods Working Group (CLG – DGWG)
and HAFFA. It is a recommended practice (not mandatory) for industry reference only. Shippers and freight
forwarders shall always follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, requirement of the HK Civil Aviation
Department and requirement of individual carriers for the air carriage of shipments containing lithium batteries at
all times. States’ and operators’ variations shall always be observed.

This guideline consists of five parts,

Part 1 – Classification - Lithium Ion Batteries & Lithium Metal Batteries

Part 2 – Documentation / Packaging & Labelling / Packing Requirements
Part 3 – Lithium Battery Hazard Label and Lithium Battery Mark
Part 4 – “Adequate Instruction” for Shipping Section II Lithium Batteries
Part 5 – Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI)
Part 6 – Case Sharing

Page 1 of 8
 Part 1 – Classification - Lithium Ion Batteries (Rechargeable)
All cells and batteries must be tested in accordance with the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria Part III
Subsection 38.3 (DGR 3.9.2.6.1 (a))

UN3480 UN3480
PI 965 Section IA PI 965 Section IB
IMP: RBI IMP: RBI

Cells > 20 Wh; Cells ≤ 20 Wh;

Batteries > 100 Wh Batteries ≤ 100 Wh
Limit per package: Limit per package:
Pax A/C = Forbidden Pax A/C = Forbidden
CAO = 35 kg CAO = 10 kg
Marking & Labelling: Marking & Labelling:

Lithium Ion
Rechargeable

Lithium Ion Batteries

(limited to a maximum of 30% SoC)
Please refer SP A331 for details

Lithium Ion
Rechargeable

Lithium Ion Batteries Lithium Ion Batteries

Contained in Equipment Packed With Equipment

UN3481 UN3481 UN3481 UN3481

PI 967 Section I PI 967 Section II * PI 966 Section I PI 966 Section II
IMP: RLI IMP: ELI IMP: RLI IMP: ELI
Cells > 20 Wh; Cells ≤ 20 Wh; Cells > 20 Wh; Cells ≤ 20 Wh;
Batteries > 100 Wh Batteries ≤ 100 Wh Batteries > 100 Wh Batteries ≤ 100 Wh
Limit per package: Limit per package: Limit per package: Limit per package:
Pax A/C = 5 kg Pax A/C = 5 kg Pax A/C = 5 kg Pax A/C = 5 kg
CAO = 35 kg CAO = 5 kg CAO = 35 kg CAO = 5 kg
*Less than 4 cells or 2 batteries Marking & Labelling:
Marking & Labelling: (max 2 packages per
Marking & Labelling:
consignment is exempted from
markings. See PI967 Section II)
Marking & Labelling:

Page 2 of 8
 Part 1 – Classification - Lithium Metal Batteries (Non – Rechargeable)
All cells and batteries must be tested in accordance with the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria Part III
Subsection 38.3 (DGR 3.9.2.61 (a))

UN3090 UN3090
PI 968 Section IA PI 968 Section IB
IMP: RBM IMP: RBM

Cells > 1 g; Cells ≤ 1 g;

Batteries > 2 g Batteries ≤ 2 g
Limit per package: Limit per package:
Pax A/C = Forbidden Pax A/C = forbidden
CAO = 35 kg CAO = 2.5 kg
Marking & Labelling: Marking & Labelling:

Lithium Metal
Non – Rechargeable

Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithium Metal Batteries Lithium Metal Batteries

Contained in Equipment Packed With Equipment

UN3091 UN3091 UN3091 UN3091

PI 970 Section I PI 970 Section II * PI 969 Section I PI 969 Section II
IMP: RLM IMP: ELM IMP: RLM IMP: ELM
Cells > 1 g; Cells ≤ 1 g; Cells > 1 g; Cells ≤ 1 g;
Batteries > 2 g Batteries ≤ 2 g Batteries > 2 g Batteries ≤ 2 g
Limit per package: Limit per package: Limit per package: Limit per package:
Pax A/C = 5 kg Pax A/C = 5 kg Pax A/C = 5 kg Pax A/C = 5 kg
CAO = 35 kg CAO = 5 kg CAO = 35 kg CAO = 5 kg
*exceptions exist to the Marking & Labelling:
Marking & Labelling: marking requirements
Marking & Labelling:
See PI 970 Section II
Marking & Labelling:

Page 3 of 8
 Part 2 – Documentation / Packaging & Labelling / Packing Requirements

Item/UN/Section
UN3480 & UN3090 UN3481 & UN3091
Section IA Section IB Section I Section II
Documentation
Shipper’s DGD1 form ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
Lithium ion batteries in
compliance with section
II of PI966 / 967
or
Lithium metal batteries
in compliance with
section II of PI969 / 970

*This information should

Information indicated 1. Dangerous Goods as per 1. Dangerous Goods as per be shown in “Nature &
Dangerous Goods as per
in “Handling associated DGD2 associated DGD Quantity of Goods” Box.
associated DGD
Information” in AWB 2. Cargo Aircraft Only or CAO 2. Cargo Aircraft Only or CAO
*If the consignment
contains both Section II
of PI966 and PI967, the
statement can be
illustrated as follows.
Lithium ion batteries in
compliance with section
II of PI966 and 967

Packaging & Labelling

UN specification outer
packaging meets the
✓ ✗ PI966 & PI9693 ✗
Packing Group II
performance standard
Strong rigid outer UN specification outer
✓ PI967 & PI970 ✓
packaging packaging
Each package must be
capable of withstanding UN specification outer
✓ ✗ PI966 & PI969
a 1.2 m drop test in any packaging
orientation.
Class 9 lithium battery
hazard label ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
4
Lithium battery mark ✗ ✓ ✗ ✓

Required if intended for

CAO label ✓ ✓ transport on cargo ✗
aircraft

1 Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD)

2 The statement “Dangerous goods as per attached Shipper's Declaration” or “Dangerous goods as per attached DGD” as shown in the 61st Edition of
these Regulations may continue to be used until 31 December 2022.
3 PI969: When prepared for transport on Passenger Aircraft, must be packed in a rigid metal intermediate or metal outer packaging

PI966 & PI969: The number of cells or batteries in each package must not exceed the number required for the equipment to operate, plus 2 spare sets.
4 Lithium battery mark is NOT REQUIRED to be affixed, when:

o The packages contain only button cell batteries contained in equipment (including circuit boards); or
o The packages contain no more than 4 cells or no more than 2 batteries contained in equipment and no more than two of these packages
per consignment under Section II of PI967 / PI970
o Declare Package contains 4 cells or less; or Package contains 2 batteries or less on MAWB or an alternate document
to avoid confusion

Page 4 of 8
Item/UN/Section
UN3480 & UN3090 UN3481 & UN3091
Section IA Section IB Section I Section II
Packing Requirements

Must not packed in the

same outer packaging
with dangerous goods
classified as Class 1 ✓ ✓ ✗
other than Div 1.4S,
Div 2.1, Class 3, Div 4.1
or Div 5.1

No more than one

package in any single ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
consignment5
Packages must be
tendered in loose to ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
airlines
Contains both lithium metal cells and lithium ion cells that is not
designed to be charged externally. They must meet the following
conditions: (Hybrid Lithium Battery and SP A213)

•The rechargeable lithium ion cells can only be charged from the When a package contains a combination of lithium
primary lithium metal cells; batteries packed with equipment (PI 966 / PI 969) and
Additional Requirement lithium batteries contained in equipment (PI 967 / PI
•Overcharge of the rechargeable lithium ion cells is precluded by
970), please refer SP A181 for details.
design;
•The battery has been tested as a lithium metal battery;
•Component cells must have passed the respective UN 38.3 test;
•Must be assigned to UN 3090 or UN 3091, as appropriate.

Overpack Requirements
1. Each package
contained within an
overpack must be
properly packed,
marked, labelled and
be free of damage or
leakage and be
secured within the
overpack.
Packages containing cells or batteries must not be placed in an
overpack with packages containing dangerous goods classified
Overpack Requirement ✗ 2. The overpack must be
in Class 1 other than Division 1.4S, Division 2.1, Class 3, Division
marked with the word
4.1 or Division 5.1.
“Overpack” in
lettering at least 12
mm high and durably
and legibly marked
unless, the marks and
label representative of
those on the package
inside the overpack
are visible.

5
Consignment means “One or more packages of dangerous goods accepted by an operator from one shipper at one time and at one address,
receipted for in one lot and moving to one consignee at one destination address.” (IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Appendix A)
*NOTE: Some regulators might have a different interpretation on the term “consignment”, shippers / freight forwarders are suggested to
contact individual airlines to confirm the requirement.

Page 5 of 8
Part 3 – Lithium Battery Hazard Label and Lithium Battery Mark

Class 9 Lithium Battery Hazard Label for Section

Lithium Battery Mark for Section IB and II
I, IA and IB

Minimum dimensions: 100mm × 100 mm Minimum dimensions: 100mm wide x 100mm

high
hatching must be 5 mm
• The mark must have red diagonal
hatchings. (Black and white
photocopied mark is not permitted)
• The lithium battery mark must be
completed with the UN number and a
valid telephone number.
• Smaller size mark, 100mm wide x 70mm
high, can only be used if the package is of
dimension without sufficient space for the
standard mark.
• The mark can be printed on the outer
packaging but must have sufficient
contrast and the specification is met.
• The mark illustrated in Figure 7.1.C of
the 61st Edition of these Regulations
with minimum dimensions of 120 mm x
110 mm may continue to be used.

Page 6 of 8
Part 4 – Adequate Instruction for Shipping Section II Lithium Batteries
It is mandatory for persons preparing or offering cells or batteries for transport to receive adequate
instruction on the Section II lithium battery shipping requirements commensurate with their
responsibilities.

IATA recommends employees shipping Section II lithium battery shipments be provided with knowledge
on the following areas at a minimum of every two years, or as the documented instructions or
regulations are revised.

• Classification of lithium batteries being shipped.

• Documentation of procedures applied to the lithium batteries being shipped.
• Written work instructions or other documentation.
• Reverse logistics, include transport mode and applicable prohibitions (if required).

The instruction given should be recorded with the date(s).

Part 5 – Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI)

Design a check box and the shippers must clearly indicate below information on SLI:

• The type of cells or batteries: Lithium ion cells / Lithium ion batteries / Lithium metal cells /
Lithium metal batteries
• The relevant Packing Instruction: “PI965 / PI966 / PI967 / PI968 / PI969 / PI970”
• Section of Packing Instruction referring: “Section I / Section IA / Section IB / Section II”
Forwarders must check the declared content and ensure there is no suspicious commodity. If there is
doubt, freight forwarders must ask for supporting document such as MSDS, packing list and invoice for
verification.

Page 7 of 8
Part 6 – Case Sharing
Undeclared Shipment

UN3480 – Lithium-ion battery

This shipment was found undeclared lithium
battery during x-ray screening in CPCT. There
were power banks and Apple iPads which
contain lithium battery.
Good Description
Households, Gift, Clothes, Toys, Shoes,
Decorations, Milk Powders, Supplements etc
Mitigation
1. Raises the awareness of acceptance staff
on the invoice / packing list advised by
shipper.

Mis-Undeclared Shipment
UN3480 – Lithium-ion battery
Mis-declared UN3480 PI965 as UN3481 PI967
Good Description
Phone Case, Not Restricted without nicotine,
Lithium-ion batteries in compliance with section
II of PI967
Mitigation
1. Raises the awareness of acceptance
and handling staff
2. Knowledge sharing within
organization
3. Random X-Ray check and physical
hand search
Improper Handling
UN3481 – Lithium-ion batteries packed
with equipment
A fire incident took place during breakdown of
shipment in warehouse. Some carton boxes
dropped off from the pallet and after that,
smoke and fire emerge from one of the dropped
boxes.
Good Description
LED RGB Light, Data Cable
Mitigation
1. Training on proper handling
*If a package containing lithium batteries falls
on the ground after acceptance, the concerned
package shall be placed in an isolated area
inside the warehouse. At least after 3-hour of
observation, if there is no irregularity (e.g. does
not emit any heat or smoke) from the package,
it can be planned for continue transportation

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