It’s really no surprise that something new has come up with shipping lithium batteries again. Frankly speaking, these days it’s easier to ship a radioactive shipment on a passenger aircraft then a cell phone. Of course, I am referring to the process of shipping when I make this statement. Crazy isn’t it?
Effective Jan 2, 2020, anyone shipping any of the following:
- Lithium-Ion batteries packed with equipment – UN3481 Section II PI966
- Lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment – UN3481 Section II PI 967
- Lithium metal batteries packed with equipment – UN3091 Section II PI 969
- Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment – UN3091 Section II PI 970
With Air Canada cargo must complete and sign Lithium Batteries – Section II – Shipper’s Transport Document. The contents of the document include:
- certifying shipment doesn’t include forbidden lithium battery shipments such as defective/damage batteries;
- verifying the watt-hour for lithium-ion batteries meet Section II requirements;
- verifying lithium metal content for lithium metal batteries meet Section II requirements;
- airway bill includes the statement, if applicable;
- lithium battery mark is on the package(s), if applicable; and
- shipper’s declaration statement.
This document reinforces the fact that any person preparing or offering Section II lithium batteries must receive adequate instruction (IATA section 1.6). Basically, have some sort of dangerous goods training before you can ship lithium batteries.
Up here in Canada we are limited to dangerous goods air carriers; therefore, to my knowledge, Air Canada cargo is the first to implement this document for Section II lithium batteries. I did speak with representatives of other carriers (KLM and Cathy Pacific) and they confirmed that these two air carriers don’t have any specific documentation requirements…yet. I also checked with a freight forwarder to see if they have been requested to provide a document when they offer Section II lithium battery shipments and he also said not yet. So, it looks like Air Canada cargo is leading the path on documentation requirement for anyone shipping Section II lithium battery shipments.
Note: Lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries, packaged by themselves (not contained or packed with equipment) are not permitted on a passenger aircraft.
We are here to help you out. Packaging, marking/labeling, and now the completion of this documentation to ship Section II lithium battery shipments. Let us know if we can assist!
Lithium Batteries – Section II – Shipper’s Transport Document link
Call us today at 1-888-977-4834 and ask how we can help you with your lithium battery shipments. Visit our website at www.thecompliancecenter. com today!
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