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Checklist · Logistics & Safety

Shipping Lithium Batteries: UN 3480 and UN 3481 in Practice

UN 3480 covers lithium-ion batteries shipped alone; UN 3481 covers batteries packed with or contained in equipment.

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Daniel Okafor

Reverse Logistics Lead

3 min read Updated 2025-06-30
Thermal camera inspection of stacked battery modules, false-colour display visible but abstract

The short answer

UN 3480 covers lithium-ion batteries shipped alone; UN 3481 covers batteries packed with or contained in equipment. Both require class 9 labelling, tested packaging, a dangerous goods declaration and state of charge below 30% for most transport modes.

On this page4 sections

Key takeaways

  1. 1UN 3480 covers lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own; UN 3481 covers those packed with or inside equipment.
  2. 2Batteries for disposal or recycling have their own packing instructions and special provisions.
  3. 3Damaged or defective batteries move under stricter rules and some modes forbid them entirely.
  4. 4Correct marking, labelling and documentation are as important as the packaging itself.
01

Choosing the right entry

Lithium-ion batteries are Class 9 dangerous goods. A retired EV pack shipped on its own is normally UN 3480, lithium-ion batteries. If the battery is still installed in equipment, or packed with it, UN 3481 applies. Vehicles themselves have separate entries. Getting the entry right determines which packing instructions and special provisions apply.

The rules differ by mode: ADR for road in Europe and many other countries, RID for rail, the IMDG Code for sea and the ICAO Technical Instructions, applied through IATA rules, for air. National rules such as the US Hazardous Materials Regulations follow the same principles with their own details. Consignors must check the rules for every mode the shipment will use.

02

Batteries for recycling

Batteries carried for disposal or recycling are recognised as a distinct case. Under ADR, for example, special provisions and packing instructions such as P909 allow such batteries to be carried under specified conditions, while large batteries can use large packagings or be carried unpackaged in certain circumstances with appropriate protection. These provisions reflect the practical reality of moving used batteries in bulk.

Air transport is far more restrictive. Waste batteries and batteries for recycling are generally forbidden by air unless approved by the relevant authorities, and for most EV packs road and sea are the only realistic options. Planning logistics around that constraint avoids delays and non-compliant shipments.

SituationTypical references
Batteries for disposal or recyclingSP 377, P909, LP903/LP904 where applicable
Damaged or defective batteriesSP 376, P908, LP904
Damaged and liable to react dangerouslySP 376, P911, LP906
Large batteries in good conditionP903, LP903
Common ADR references for battery shipments

Field note

References are indicative — always confirm against the current edition of the regulations for your mode.
03

Marking, labelling and documents

Packages must carry the UN number and the appropriate Class 9 lithium battery hazard label, and vehicles may need orange plates or placards depending on quantities. The transport document must show the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group where applicable and quantity, together with any special provision notes required for waste or damaged batteries.

Drivers need appropriate dangerous goods training, and consignors, packers and loaders each have defined responsibilities. Emergency information and contact details should travel with the load. Keeping a standard pack of documents for every collection reduces the chance of a shipment being stopped.

  • UN number and Class 9 lithium battery label on each package
  • Transport document with the correct shipping description
  • Special provision references for waste or damaged batteries
  • Trained driver and emergency contact information
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Do batteries need to be discharged before shipping?

Discharging is strongly recommended and some provisions set state-of-charge limits, particularly for air. For road collection of EV packs, bringing the state of charge below 30% is standard good practice.

Is a UN 38.3 test summary needed for used batteries?

Test summaries are required for batteries in normal transport, but provisions for batteries shipped for disposal or recycling can exempt them from certain testing requirements. Check the provision that applies to your shipment.

Turn this into a plan for your packs

Send pack counts, chemistry and approximate state of health. You get an indicative value split, a slotted collection window and pre-filled dangerous goods paperwork.

Run the yield calculator
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