Class 9

Class 9 - Miscellaneous dangerous goods contains various hazardous substances that do not fit into the other classes, but which present a danger during air transport. This includes aviation regulated solid or liquid substances with anesthetic, noxious, or similar properties that could cause extreme discomfort to crew members and could prevent them from performing their assigned duties. Other miscellaneous dangerous goods include dry ice, magnets, semi-processed polymeric articles, lithium batteries, and more.

The term lithium battery refers to a family of batteries with different chemistries, comprising many types of cathodes and electrolytes. They differ from other batteries in the high-charge density, which means they have a long lifespan and high cost per unit.

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are separated into two main categories: lithium metal batteries and lithium-ion batteries.

• UN 3090 Lithium metal batteries
• UN 3091 Lithium metal batteries contained in or packed with equipment
• UN 3480 Lithium ion batteries
• UN 3481 Lithium ion batteries contained in or packed with equipment
• UN 3536 Lithium batteries installed in a cargo transport unit

Lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable and capable of ignition. Ignition can be caused when a battery is overcharged, is heated to extreme temperatures, is mishandled, is otherwise defective, or short circuits.

Note that as of January 1, 2017, an additional document is no longer required to accompany consignments of Section II lithium batteries. Additionally, the lithium battery handling label, which is required on packages, has been replaced by a new lithium battery mark. The new mark is similar to the lithium battery handling label in dimension and color, but the new mark does not contain any words and the UN number is required to be applied. Shippers have been given a two-year transition period, which ends on December 31, 2018, to allow them to implement the new lithium battery mark.

To learn more about Function Specific topics for Shippers, Packers, Freight Forwarders visit our IATA DGR Shippers, Packers & Freight Forwarders Online Training web page.