2021 Lithium Battery Shipping Guidelines Manual PDF

The IATA Lithium Battery Shipping Guidelines is a comprehensive guide designed to enable shippers of lithium batteries and equipment to meet their safety obligations by complying with the applicable transport regulations which govern the shipping of these articles. Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods under internationally recognised legislation based on the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Model Regulations). Consequently, lithium batteries are subject to specific requirements governing the design, testing, classification, packing, marking, labelling, packaging, documentation and handling.

This 8th Edition of the IATA Lithium Battery Shipping Guidelines is current as of 1 January 2021. The content of the Guidelines is based on the requirements contained in the 62nd Edition (2021) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and also includes requirements applicable to the transport of lithium batteries by road and international mail. In general, the requirements for the transport of dangerous goods by air are more restrictive than in surface transport (sea, road and rail), therefore compliance with the air regulations will, with some exceptions, be sufficient to meet other modal requirements.