General battery shipping guidelines.

Fedco Electronics' QualitMS contains a Standard Operating Procedure that specifies Work Instructions for shipping practices.  Every cell, battery and battery pack is packaged in such a way to prevent any physical damage and to ensure that the battery contacts are protected against electrical short circuit that may result from severe treatment occurring during transit.

All Batteries shall be protected against short circuit.

• Batteries must be protected against direct contact with each other.
• Individual cells in case quantities are shipped in the original OEM protective packaging.
• Individual cells in smaller quantities and small battery packs are each enclosed in sealed plastic bags or plastic Ziploc^® type bags.
• ENERGY+ brand laptop batteries are wrapped in plastic insulating bags and then placed protective retail cartons.
• Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Batteries are either shipped in the original OEM packaging or have their contact terminals protected with insulating caps and shipped in 275# or higher bursting strength (42# or higher Minimum Edge Crush Test).
• Computer battereis and other small batteries are shipped in cartons rated at 200# or higher Bursting Test (32# or higher Minimum Edge Crush Test).
• Protective packing material is placed on the bottom of the carton and placed tightly around the outside of the items and tightly filled to the top of cartons.
• The use of Styrofoam "Peanuts" is forbidden.   

Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) rechargeable Batteries Special Rules.
All Li-Ion and Li-Ion Polymer batteries are shipped subject to the 52nd Edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations under UN3480.  Packing Instruction 965 specifies the mandated procedures.  (See IATA Lithium Battery Packing Instructions PDF, above).  Fedco is certified including personnel training, by FedEx and UPS, to ship in accordance with these regulations.

• Air shipments of batteries containing no more than 100Wh (Watt-Hours) of energy and weighing no more than 10kg Gross Weight may be shipped un-regulated by Cargo and Passenger Aircraft, provided the shipment complies with Packing Instruction 965 including required marking.
• Air shipments of batteries containing more than 100Wh of energy must be shipped as fully regulated UN3480 Class 9 Dangerous Goods by Cargo Aircraft, but with a 35kg Gross Weight limit, but only a 5kg Gross Weight limit by I.S. Passenger Aircraft.
• Ground shipments of batteries that contain between 100Wh and 299Wh  may be shipped iin the United States unregulated in accordance with 49CFR Part 172.102. Special Provision 189, provided that they weigh not more than 30kg Gross Weight and comply with Packing Instruction 965 including required marking.  
• Ground shipments of batteries containing more than 300Wh of energy must be shipped as fully regulated UN3480 Class 9 Dangerous goods..
• Shipments by the US Postal Service that contain more than three (3) lithium-ion batteries can only be shipped by surface mail.  (See USPS Lithium Battery Final Rule, above)

Lithium Metal (Primary) Cells and Batteries Special Rules.
All Lithium Metal Cells and Batteries are shipped subject to the 52nd Edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations under UN3090.  Packing Instruction 968 specifies the mandated procedures.  (See IATA Lithium Battery Packing Instructions PDF, above).  Fedco is certified, including personnel training, by FedEx and UPS to ship in accordance with these regulations.

• Shipments of all lithium cells and batteries are forbidden as cargo aboard Passenger Aircraft in the United States.
• Air shipments of Cells containing no more than 1 gram of lithium metal and Batteries containing no more than 2 grams of lithium metal and weighing no more than 2.5kg Gross Weight may be shipped un-regulated by Cargo Aircraft provided the shipment complies with Packing Instruction 968 including markings.
• Air shipments of Cells containing more than 1 gram of lithium metal and Batteries containing more than 2 grams of lithium metal must be shipped as fully regulated UN3090 Class 9 Dangerous Goods by Cargo Aircraft only with a 35kg Gross Weight limit.
• Cells that contain between 1 and 5 grams of lithium metal and batteries a that contain between 2 and 25 grams of lithium metal may be shipped in the United States unregulated by Ground in accordance with 49CFR Part 172.102, Special Provision 189, provided they weigh not more than 30kg Gross Weight and must comply with Packing Instruction 968 including required marking.
• Cells containing more than 5.0grms of lithium metal and Batteries containing more than 25.0grams of lithium metal must be shipped as fully regulated UN3090 Class 9 Dangerous Goods by Ground as well as Air.
• Shipments by US Postal Service are limited to 5.0 Pounds and can only be shipped by surface mail.   (See USPS Lithium Battery Final Rule, above)

Lithium Metal Cells and Batteries and Lithium-Ion Batteries shipped in or with equipment.

• Lithium-Ion Batteries shipped with equipment must comply with Packing Instruction 966.
• Lithium-Ion Batteries shipped in equipment must comply with Packing Instruction 967.
• Lithium Metal Cells and Batteries shipped with equipment must comply with Packing Instruction 969.
• Lithium Metal Cells and Batteries shipped in equipment must comply with Packing Instruction 970.

Contact Fedco Electronics, Inc. for more information this subject.