Direct answer: A dangerous-goods/lithium-battery transport page cannot just say "we can ship batteries by air/sea." It should state which products contain batteries or are dangerous goods, the UN number, whether a UN38.3 test summary exists, how the SDS/MSDS and labels are provided, what packaging/UN marks/export packaging certificate are used, which rules apply to air/sea/road/courier, what transport documents are needed, whether the carrier accepts the shipment, how damaged/recalled/waste batteries are handled, and which countries/channels are excluded. Otherwise, when a customer asks "can this battery ship by air, what documents, why did the courier reject it," the answer becomes an ad-hoc explanation.
This guide is for export, logistics, customs, quality, EHS and website teams at manufacturers in Changzhou and nearby industrial areas. It explains how to build and accept a dangerous-goods/lithium-battery transport page. Information is current to 2026-11-03. It is a review of public regulations and project practice, not dangerous-goods transport, packaging, customs or legal advice; the specific classification, UN number, packaging, documents, limits and carrier requirements depend on the rules in force, the carrier and the competent authority.
Lithium batteries are usually Class 9 dangerous goods; UN38.3 is a test series/test summary, not a "certificate". SDS, UN packaging, lithium-battery marks, transport documents and carrier approval are all required. Air, sea, road and courier rules/limits differ; the specific packing instruction/state of charge/quantity follows the rule version and carrier and must not be hard-coded on the website. Damaged, swollen, recalled or waste batteries cannot be shipped as ordinary goods.
How does the dangerous-goods page relate to packaging, export-document and manual/label pages?
The packaging/marks/delivery page answers "how to pack, mark, trade terms and risk"; the export-document page answers "invoice/packing list/B/L/certificate of origin/customs"; the manual/label page answers "product labels/languages/warnings"; the dangerous-goods/lithium page answers "can it be shipped, under which rules, with what documents/packaging/marks, and which channels are excluded." The packaging page is "how to ship ordinary goods"; the dangerous-goods page is "how to ship regulated goods compliantly."
The common break is: sales says "we can ship it" and the shipment is rejected at the airport; the UN38.3 summary is expired or does not cover the model; the SDS is old/wrong language; batteries packed with equipment and batteries shipped alone are confused; the packaging has no UN mark/lithium mark; air shipment lacks a DGD/carrier approval; damaged/swollen batteries are returned as ordinary goods; the customer's destination customs asks for an export packaging certificate/MSDS. A page that states product scope, UN number, tests, SDS, packaging, documents, channels and limits gives sales, logistics, customs and EHS one playbook.
| Page/entry | Answers | Audience | Cannot replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packaging/transport | Packaging, marks, trade terms, risk | Customer, logistics | Dangerous-goods classification/documents |
| Export documents | Invoice/packing list/B/L/CO/customs | Customs, forwarder | Dangerous-goods declaration |
| Dangerous goods/lithium | UN number, UN38.3, SDS, packaging, documents, channels | Customer, logistics, EHS | Carrier approval/authority permit |
| Manual/labels | Product labels, languages, warnings | Customer, quality | Transport labels/marks |
This page map is editorial; dangerous-goods classification/names are in GB 6944-2025 and GB 12268-2025.
Which products are dangerous goods/lithium batteries?
Four common UN numbers: UN3480 (lithium-ion batteries shipped alone), UN3481 (lithium-ion batteries packed with/in equipment), UN3090 (lithium-metal batteries shipped alone), UN3091 (lithium-metal batteries packed with/in equipment). Sodium-ion batteries, fuel cells, dry ice, gas cylinders, paints/adhesives/cleaners are also often mistaken for ordinary goods. The judgment depends on whether the product contains a battery, battery type/capacity, whether it is packed with equipment, whether it is damaged/recalled, and the transport mode—not "contains a battery = all the same."
Batteries installed in equipment, packed with equipment and shipped alone may have different UN numbers/packing requirements; state the three states separately. Product pages should state "contains lithium battery/battery type/Wh or lithium content/UN number/air eligibility", but must not publish the formula/customer data. If unsure, do a classification assessment/ask the carrier—do not guess.
| Type | Common UN number | What to state | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li-ion alone | UN3480 | Battery type/Wh/alone | Treated as ordinary |
| Li-ion with equipment | UN3481 | Packed with/installed in equipment | Confused with alone |
| Li-metal alone | UN3090 | Lithium content/alone | Type unknown |
| Li-metal with equipment | UN3091 | Packed with/installed in equipment | Confused with alone |
| Other dangerous goods | Per GB 12268 | Name/class/UN | Missed |
UN numbers/classification are an editorial summary; specifics follow GB 12268-2025, GB 6944-2025 and carrier rules.
What is UN38.3, and what should the test summary contain?
UN38.3 is the lithium-battery transport test series in Section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (T.1-T.8, simulating altitude, temperature, vibration, shock, short circuit, impact/crush, overcharge, forced discharge). Passing the tests supports transport classification. After passing, provide a UN38.3 test summary—not a "UN38.3 certificate"; the summary should cover the cell/battery model, manufacturer, test laboratory, test items/results and version. Customers/carriers may require the summary + test report + SDS.
The summary must cover the model: if the cell/battery model, BMS or structure changes, re-test/reassess; using an old summary for a new model is a common cause of rejection. UN38.3 is not "permanently valid"; rule/product changes may require reassessment. Keep the summary/report traceable to the model/batch. The page can say "UN38.3 test summary/report available", but must not publish the full report/customer models.
| Item | What to confirm | Evidence | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test series | T.1-T.8 applicable | Test report | Partial tests |
| Model coverage | Cell/battery model | Summary | Old summary |
| Manufacturer | Actual production site | Summary/report | Mismatch |
| Laboratory | Qualification/report | Report | Unqualified |
| Change | BMS/structure/material | Assessment | No reassessment |
| Version | Rule/summary version | Document | Expired |
UN38.3 is in Section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (UNECE Rev.8); specific test/summary requirements follow the current version and carrier.
How should SDS/MSDS, labels and marks be provided?
The SDS (safety data sheet, often called MSDS) should be provided per product/model/revision, covering composition/hazards/transport information/emergency measures; language per customer/destination. Transport labels/marks at least include: UN number, proper shipping name, Class 9 label where applicable, lithium-battery mark, orientation marks, package/overpack marks; labels must be clear/durable/correctly placed. Product labels (nameplate/warnings) and transport labels are not the same.
An SDS is not a "generic template": update it when battery type/capacity/UN number changes; transport information must match the declaration; customers/carriers may require English/destination-language versions. Labels must not be handwritten/altered; lithium-battery mark size/content follows the rule version. The page can say "SDS/transport labels available", but must not publish the formula/customer information.
| Document/mark | What to include | Evidence | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDS/MSDS | Composition/hazard/transport/emergency | Revision | Generic template |
| Language | English/destination language | Revision | Chinese only |
| UN label | Class/UN number | Photo | Handwritten/wrong |
| Lithium mark | Per rules | Photo | Missing |
| Orientation/package | Orientation/overpack | Photo | Wrong position |
| Consistency | SDS/declaration/labels match | Check | Contradiction |
SDS/label requirements are editorial; specifics follow GB/T 16483, transport rules and destination requirements.
How should packaging, UN marks and the export packaging certificate be described?
Dangerous goods packaging should use UN packaging (or an equivalent allowed by the rules) with UN package marks/batch; lithium batteries may need a lithium-battery mark, sturdy outer packaging, short-circuit/movement protection. Export dangerous-goods packaging usually requires an export packaging certificate (packaging performance test result/use appraisal), depending on customs/packaging requirements. An ordinary carton/wooden case is not UN packaging; strength/closure/cushioning must match the transport mode.
"Export packaging certificate" is not the same for all batteries/modes: it depends on classification, packaging type, export/domestic and air/sea; the forwarder may ask for the performance certificate + use appraisal + UN mark photos. The packaging used must match the certificate/mark—not "the certificate says UN box but we use an ordinary box". The page can say "UN packaging/export packaging certificate per rules", but must not publish certificate numbers/customer information.
| Item | What to do | Evidence | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| UN packaging | Compliant/mark/batch | Mark photo | Ordinary box |
| Lithium mark | Apply per rules | Photo | Missing |
| Short-circuit protection | Terminal protection/inner packaging | Packaging drawing | Bare cells |
| Export certificate | Performance/use appraisal | Certificate | Mismatch |
| Consistency | Certificate/packaging/declaration match | Check | Mixed use |
| Destination | Destination/carrier requirements | Confirmation | Assumed |
Packaging/export-certificate requirements are editorial; specifics follow transport rules, customs/packaging requirements and the carrier.
How do air, sea, road and courier rules differ?
Air follows IATA DGR/carrier rules (stricter, may require a DGD, carrier approval, specific packing instructions/state-of-charge limits); sea follows the IMDG Code (UN number/class/packaging/marks/declaration); road follows JT/T 617/the Measures for Road Dangerous Goods Transport (shipping list, qualified vehicles/personnel); courier/postal follows the carrier's prohibited/restricted list, and many channels do not accept batteries shipped alone. The same product may need different packaging/documents/limits by mode—"one set of documents for all channels" does not work.
Specific packing instructions (PI), state of charge (SoC) and limited/except quantities change with the rule version/carrier; do not hard-code "30%/965" on the website; write "per the current IATA DGR/IMDG/JT/T 617 and carrier" and ask the customer/forwarder to confirm. Air also depends on country/airport/airline; sea on destination port/shipping line acceptance; courier on battery/Wh limits.
| Mode | Main rules | Common documents/limits | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air | IATA DGR/carrier | DGD/approval/packing instruction/SoC | Treated as ordinary |
| Sea | IMDG Code | Declaration/marks/packaging | No declaration |
| Road | JT/T 617/road measures | Shipping list/qualified vehicle | Ordinary truck |
| Courier/post | Carrier prohibited/restricted list | Acceptance list/Wh | Assumed all accepted |
| Multimodal | Rules of each leg | Interface/documents | Only one leg considered |
Mode rules are editorial; specifics follow the current IATA DGR, IMDG, JT/T 617, road measures and carrier requirements, and this article does not reproduce the rules.
How should transport documents and carrier acceptance be verified?
Common documents: UN38.3 test summary/report, SDS, export packaging certificate (if applicable), air DGD, sea/road declaration/shipping list, commercial invoice/packing list, carrier approval/booking confirmation, destination requirements (MSDS/labels/registration). Document information must match: UN number/name/quantity/weight/packaging/shipper/consignee/emergency phone; the DGD must not be filled by sales—it should be signed by trained/authorised personnel. Confirm with the carrier whether it accepts the shipment, pure batteries, and the destination—do not sell first and ask later.
"The customer says it can ship" is not carrier acceptance: air/courier prohibited lists, destination import requirements and transit airport/port restrictions can cause rejection/return. The page can say "arranged after carrier confirmation", but not "global shipping/all batteries accepted". Keep documents version-controlled; do not publish customer data/certificates.
| Document/confirmation | What to confirm | Evidence | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| UN38.3 | Summary/model coverage | Document | Expired/not covered |
| SDS | Version/language/transport info | Document | Generic template |
| Export packaging certificate | Performance/use appraisal | Certificate | Missing |
| DGD/declaration | Authorised/consistent | Signed copy | Sales fills |
| Carrier | Acceptance/route/destination | Booking confirmation | Sell first, ask later |
| Destination | Import/labels/registration | Customer confirmation | Not confirmed |
Document/carrier requirements are editorial; specifics follow transport rules, the carrier and the destination authority.
| Party | Responsibility | Evidence | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipper/manufacturer | Classification/test/packaging/declaration/truthful documents | UN38.3/SDS/DGD | Misdeclaration |
| Carrier | Acceptance/transport/inspection | Booking confirmation | Not confirmed |
| Forwarder | Routing/documents/interface | Mandate | Over-promise |
| Customer/consignee | Destination import/labels/permits | Confirmation | Not confirmed |
| Training/authorisation | DGD/declaration personnel qualification | Training record | Sales fills |
This responsibility split is editorial; specifics follow transport rules, contracts and carrier/forwarder agreements.
How should damaged, recalled, waste and sample batteries be handled?
Damaged/swollen/leaking/recalled batteries are higher risk; many rules/carriers prohibit or strictly restrict transport—they cannot be returned as ordinary goods/courier. Isolate/assess first, follow dangerous-waste/recall procedures, and use a qualified transporter/disposer where needed; customer returns require carrier/packaging/document confirmation in advance. Sample batteries/small quantities also follow the rules—"it is only a sample" is not an exemption.
"Waste batteries" are not ordinary trash: hand them to a qualified unit under hazardous/solid-waste and local rules; storage/transport must prevent short circuit/leakage/fire. Recalled batteries must be notified/segregated/recorded per customer/regulator. The page can say "damaged/recalled batteries follow a dedicated procedure", but not "can be returned/ordinary return".
| Scenario | What to do | Evidence | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaged/swollen | Isolate/assess/dedicated transport | Record | Ordinary courier |
| Recall | Notify/segregate/record | Recall record | Mixed shipment |
| Waste | Qualified hazardous-waste unit | Manifest | As trash |
| Return | Carrier/packaging/documents | Confirmation | Return directly |
| Samples | Per rules/limits | Documents | "Sample is exempt" |
| Storage | Fire/short-circuit/leak prevention | Site | Mixed storage |
Damaged/recall/waste handling is editorial; specifics follow transport rules, hazardous/solid-waste regulations and customer requirements.
What should the page say, and what must not be published?
A public page should include: battery-containing products/UN number range, how UN38.3/SDS/export packaging certificate are provided, packaging/marks, links to air/sea/road/courier rules, transport documents, carrier confirmation flow, damaged/recall/waste handling, destination restrictions and a contact route. Do not publish: customer names/models, full test reports/certificate numbers, formulas, prices, or undisclosed carrier agreements. Wording must be precise: "per UN38.3/transport rules and carrier confirmation", not "all batteries can ship/global free shipping/no declaration".
The page should distinguish "product description" and "transport compliance": the product page states battery/Wh/UN number; the transport page states documents/packaging/channels; do not put the full DGD/export certificate online. A customer audit wants documents/packaging/training/carrier confirmation, not slogans. Keep versions/dates when updating; review when rules/carriers change.
| Page wording | Problem | Suggested wording | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| "All batteries can ship" | Channel/rule limits | State UN/mode/carrier confirmation | Transport rules |
| "UN38.3 certificate" | It is a test summary | State test summary/model coverage | UN38.3 |
| "No declaration needed" | Dangerous-goods declaration duty | State DGD/declaration/documents | IATA/IMDG |
| "Global free shipping" | Destination/carrier limits | Arrange after confirmation | Carrier |
| Publishing certificates/reports | Customer/commercial information | Controlled provision | Confidentiality |
| "Damaged batteries returnable" | Transport restrictions | State dedicated procedure | Rules/hazardous waste |
These red lines are editorial; specifics follow transport rules, carriers and the competent authority, and this is not transport-compliance advice.
Go-live acceptance checklist
Ten checks: product/UN number, UN38.3, SDS/labels, packaging/export certificate, mode rules, documents/carrier, damaged/recall/waste, public boundaries, and updates/evidence. Each needs an owner, evidence and review date. The pass condition is not "the page says batteries can ship", but that the customer/forwarder can see the product scope, documents, packaging and channel limits, and the company executes the same rules.
Before go-live, run one battery-containing product through: classification → UN number → UN38.3/SDS → packaging/export certificate → air/sea/road documents → carrier confirmation → destination → damage/return. Any step that fails is a gap in the page or the process.
| Check | Pass condition | Evidence | If it fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product/UN | Type/UN number/alone or with equipment | Classification table | Add classification |
| UN38.3 | Summary/model coverage/version | Summary/report | Add testing |
| SDS/labels | Version/language/transport info match | Documents/photos | Add documents |
| Packaging/certificate | UN packaging/marks/certificate match | Photos/certificate | Change packaging |
| Mode rules | Air/sea/road/courier separately confirmed | Rules/confirmation | Add confirmation |
| Documents/carrier | DGD/declaration/booking | Documents | Add documents |
| Damage/recall | Dedicated procedure/qualified unit | Records | Add process |
| Boundaries | No customer/report/certificate disclosure | Page test | Remove |
| Update | Date/version/reviewer | Version record | Add update |
This checklist is editorial; specific dangerous-goods transport requirements follow the rules in force, the carrier and the competent authority.
Who should read this, who should not, and what decisions does it support?
It suits manufacturers in Changzhou and nearby areas whose products contain lithium batteries/battery packs and ship by air/sea/courier, and whose customers ask about UN38.3/MSDS/export packaging certificates—especially electronics, power tools, energy storage, auto parts, medical devices and consumer goods; it also suits procurement/logistics assessing a supplier's dangerous-goods capability. It does not suit businesses with no batteries/dangerous goods, ordinary goods only, or teams wanting one page to replace transport rules/carrier confirmation.
Read it if you are in export, logistics, customs, quality, EHS or a website vendor; you are building a dangerous-goods/lithium page, handling rejection/return, preparing UN38.3/SDS/export packaging certificates, or confirming air/sea/courier; or you need to answer "can it ship, what documents, how to pack, which countries are excluded." Skip it if you treat "contains a battery" as ordinary goods, quote without UN38.3/packaging, or want a page saying "global shipping/no declaration". It supports self-review of classification, testing, SDS/labels, packaging, documents, channels and damaged/recall handling.
| Role | What to look at | Decision supported | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export/sales | Product/UN/channel limits | Quotation/lead time/customer communication | Promising all channels |
| Logistics/customs | Documents/packaging/carrier | Booking/declaration/routing | Approving for the carrier |
| Quality/EHS | UN38.3/SDS/hazardous waste | Testing/documents/disposal | Replacing rules with a page |
| Website vendor | Modules/boundaries/updates | Page acceptance/maintenance | Making transport conclusions |
This role split is editorial; specific duties follow the company's export/logistics/EHS policy.
Lingyi Information is a website development and enterprise AI project provider, not a dangerous-goods transport, packaging, customs or legal body. This article is not a substitute for transport rules, carrier confirmation or legal advice. Changzhou projects are delivered remotely or on site as confirmed per project; Lingyi is one candidate, does not claim a local office or team, and does not promise shipping acceptance, conversion or inquiries.
FAQ
Is UN38.3 a certificate?
No. UN38.3 is the lithium-battery transport test series in Section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria; after passing, a test summary/report is provided for the model. It is not a permanent certificate—model/structure/rule changes may require reassessment; customers/carriers may require the summary, report and SDS together.
Do lithium batteries always need an export packaging certificate?
It depends on classification, packaging, export/domestic and mode. Export dangerous-goods packaging usually requires a packaging performance test/use appraisal (commonly called the export packaging certificate); air/sea/road requirements differ, and the forwarder may ask for the performance certificate + use appraisal + UN mark. Confirm with customs/packaging requirements, transport rules and the carrier.
Can every courier ship lithium batteries?
No. Couriers/postal operators follow prohibited/restricted lists; many do not accept batteries shipped alone or limit Wh/quantity; air also needs a DGD/carrier approval/packing instruction. Confirm the channel/destination/product state first—do not sell first and ask later.
Is a battery installed in equipment different from a battery shipped alone?
Yes. UN3481/UN3091 (with/installed in equipment) and UN3480/UN3090 (alone) may have different classification/packaging/documents; state of charge/packing instructions also follow the rules/carrier. The product page must state "alone/with equipment/installed", not use one UN number for all.
Can damaged/swollen batteries be shipped?
Usually not as ordinary goods; many rules/carriers prohibit or strictly restrict damaged/recalled batteries. Isolate/assess and follow a dedicated procedure/qualified transporter/disposer; customer returns also need carrier/packaging/document confirmation. Do not treat them as ordinary returns/trash.
Should the website publish UN38.3/SDS?
Not the full report/certificate/customer model. The page can say "UN38.3 test summary/SDS/export packaging certificate available on a controlled basis"; provide them to customers/carriers as needed, and publish only product scope, UN number, document types and channel limits.
One-sentence takeaway
A Changzhou manufacturer's dangerous-goods/lithium-battery transport page should not say "batteries can ship". It should turn product/UN number, UN38.3 test summary, SDS/labels, UN packaging/export certificate, air/sea/road/courier rules, documents/carrier confirmation and damaged/recall/waste handling into a verifiable checklist—so a customer/forwarder can see whether it can ship, what is needed and how to pack.
Method and limitations
This is a review of public regulations and project practice, not dangerous-goods classification, packaging, transport, customs or legal advice on any company. No undisclosed customer models, test reports, certificates or carrier agreements were used. Classification, checklists, processes and the acceptance checklist are editorial suggestions, not transport-compliance conclusions. Specific classification, UN number, packaging, documents, limits and carrier requirements depend on the rules in force, the carrier and the competent authority.
Sources and scope
Information is current to 2026-11-03. The following are public official/standard pages; their scope, version and wording control.
- UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Section 38.3 (lithium-battery transport tests, Rev.8): UNECE. UN38.3 test series and test-summary requirements; the official PDF may return 403 to scripts but is accessible in a browser.
- GB 12268-2025, List of Dangerous Goods (in force 1 October 2025): National Standards Full-Text Public System. UN numbers, names, classes and packaging information for dangerous goods.
- GB 6944-2025, Classification and Code of Dangerous Goods (in force 1 October 2025): National Standards Full-Text Public System. Dangerous-goods classes, divisions, packing groups and numbering rules.
- Measures for the Safety Management of Road Transport of Dangerous Goods (MOT Order No. 29 of 2019, in force 1 January 2020): Ministry of Ecology and Environment (reprint). Consignment/carriage/loading, shipping list, qualified vehicles/personnel and training records.