Customers should be aware that they are at risk of having their Li-Ion batteries confiscated at the airport check-in if they travel with batteries that have NOT been independently tested to UN standards, as required by air transport authorities, or if they do not follow the rules with regard to the battery’s Watt-hour rating.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in association with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the United Nations (UN) set clearly defined rules regarding the air transportation of Li-Ion batteries.
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations require the testing of each type of Li-Ion battery, not just the individual cells, to ensure that the design and construction are compliant with the stringent UN regulations.
PAG’s Declaration
PAG Ltd. hereby declares that its Lithium-Ion batteries have been tested and certified by Intertek Group PLC to comply with the requirements of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3, as required by the current IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Copies of the test reports can be obtained from PAG Ltd. by contacting: supportpaguk [dot] com.
Testing by an authorised independent facility is a costly process for the manufacturer, but it should assure you that the battery design is compliant with the air transport regulations, as well as safe and of the highest possible professional standard.
PAG Air Transport Certificates
PAG advises that you download the appropriate certificate and take it with you when you travel.
PAG Air Transport Battery Labels
PAG Li-Ion batteries are labelled to inform airport officials that the batteries have been tested as required. The labels may also provide the UN test number and the number of batteries that are permitted according to their Watt-hour rating.
Transport by Commercial Airline / Personal Luggage
The following advice will assist you when travelling with Li-Ion batteries:
- Li-Ion batteries sent as cargo are forbidden on civil aircraft as of 1st April 2016.
- A Li-Ion battery cannot be transported in the hold unless attached to a camera or the equipment it is intended to power. The attached battery must not exceed 100Wh in capacity.
- Spare Li-Ion batteries must be transported in your carry-on luggage.
- An individual may take on-board, in carry-on luggage, up to 20 Li-Ion batteries that have capacities of 100Wh or less (as the operator and state variations allow).
- Li-Ion batteries that have capacities greater than 100Wh, but less than 160Wh, are restricted to 2 items per person, in carry-on luggage. For example, a crew of 3 people can share the allowance between them and take a total 6 batteries (2 each) in this capacity range.
- Li-Ion batteries that have capacities greater than 160Wh are forbidden from civil aircraft, unless a state exemption has been obtained (i.e. CAA/FAA operator).
- You can only fly with Li-Ion batteries that have been tested to UN standards by an independent authority, and manufactured by a company that has a quality control programme, such as ISO 9001
- PLEASE NOTE: Batteries do not need to be discharged to 30% SoC for transport as personal luggage, this is only a requirement of cargo shipments. There is no specified SoC requirement for Li-Ion batteries transported as personal luggage.
PAG recommends that customers also confirm with their carrier of choice, to determine any local rules and policies, before travelling.
Your PAG Li-Ion batteries are fully protected against short-circuit and over-current. However, it is recommended that you make sure they are obviously safe and inspire confidence in the airport check-in staff:
- Put tape over the contacts.
- Place each battery in a plastic bag.
- Pack batteries in your carry-on luggage in a safe and secure manner.
- Carry a copy of the PAG Air Transport Certificate supplied with each PAG Li-Ion battery in its instruction booklet (or download from the link above).
Transport as Freight by Air, Road and Sea
Li-Ion batteries when shipped by air, road or sea are classified as dangerous goods and subject to special packaging certification and approval from external specialists.
- Air cargo shipments of Li-Ion batteries are prohibited from passenger aircraft, as of 1st April 2016.
- Air transport authority training and authorisation are required for packing any more than 2 Li-Ion batteries, that have capacities of 100Wh or less, for an air cargo shipment.
- A company audit and authorisation are required by couriers such as DHL, Fedex, TNT and UPS before they will accept your air cargo shipment of Li-Ion batteries.
- Li-Ion batteries for air cargo must have a state-of-charge of no more than 30% for shipping.
- Li-Ion batteries that have capacities of 100Wh or less, in shipments that exceed 10kg, require UN tested packaging.
- All shipments of Li-Ion batteries that have capacities greater than 100Wh require UN tested packaging.
- Transportation of Li-Ion batteries by road freight is subject to a limit of 333kg per lorry.
For more information about shipping Li-Ion batteries visit the IATA website:
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Pages/lithium-batteries.aspx