Commodity Specific Requirements - Lithium Batteries

Lithium metal and lithium ion batteries are highly flammable and capable of ignition. Ignition can be caused when a battery short circuits, is overcharged, is heated to extreme temperatures, is mishandled, or is otherwise defective. A lithium metal cell can release a flammable electrolyte mixed with molten lithium metal, accompanied by a large pressure pulse, which can result in an explosive mixture. Halon 1301, the suppression agent found in Class C cargo compartments, is ineffective in controlling a lithium metal cell fire. A lithium metal cell explosion can damage cargo liners and activate pressure relief panels. For this reason, lithium metal cells are currently prohibited as bulk cargo shipments on passenger-carrying aircrafts.

Lithium batteries must be enclosed in inner packagings made of non-conductive material, separating batteries in a manner to prevent contact with other batteries or conductive materials, and ensuring that exposed terminals or connectors are protected with caps, tape, or other appropriate means. If packed in equipment, the equipment must be equipped with an effective means of preventing accidental activation, it must be packed in strong, rigid outer packagings, and it must be secured against movement within the outer packagings.

A lithium battery handling label must be used if the packages containing lithium batteries meet the requirements of Section II of Packing Instructions 965, 967, 968, 969, and 970. The lithium battery handling label is NOT required when a package contains no more than four cells or two batteries installed in equipment and is prepared in accordance with Section II of Packing Instructions 967 and 970. A new update provides further limitations on this exception. Beginning January 1, 2017, this exception only applies if there are no more than two such packages in the consignment.

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