Lithium Batteries: What Shippers Need to Know to Stay Compliant

Billions of batteries move through the global supply chain every year. Though many shippers are unaware that many batteries—particularly lithium batteries—are regulated under the IMDG Code. Lithium batteries have been responsible for fires in homes and at multiple points throughout the supply chain, prompting ocean carriers to introduce increasingly strict acceptance policies.

As a result, understanding both the regulations and individual carrier requirements is essential when transporting batteries by ocean.

To prevent undeclared hazardous materials, shipments of lithium ion and lithium metal batteries should never proceed until it has been verified whether a hazardous declaration (IMO) is required.

When is a Hazardous Declaration Required?

For ocean transport, a hazardous declaration is required if any of the following apply:

Definitions:

• Cell: A single unit that converts chemical energy into electrical energy
• Battery: A collection of cells

Where Do You Find This Information?

The key source is the UN 38.3 Test Summary Report. This document certifies that a lithium cell or battery has passed the minimum safety standards required for transport. The IMDG Code requires this report for most lithium cells and batteries, and many ocean carriers will refuse these shipments without it. Shared below are some examples:

Example 1:
A lithium metal cell with a lithium content (LC) of 0.09 g.
Since this is below the 1 g limit for a lithium metal cell, it may be shipped without a hazardous declaration provided all criteria of Special Provision 188 of the IMDG Code are met.

Example 2:
A lithium ion battery with a watt-hour rating of 915.10 Wh.
Because this exceeds the 100 Wh limit, the shipment must move under a hazardous declaration.

Carrier Policies: The Other Half of the Challenge

Knowing the IMDG Code is only part of the equation. Ocean carrier acceptance policies can be difficult to manage. Some carriers do not recognize Special Provision 188 in certain circumstances. Others require documentation detailing battery specifications even when a hazardous declaration is not required.

If the required documentation is not provided, carriers may impose significant fines. For instance, a carrier once issued a USD 6,000 penalty because a shipment of hair clippers with small lithium-ion batteries did not comply with their regulations. Similarly, another shipper faced a USD 30,000 fine for failing to prepare a hazardous declaration for a shipment that included batteries.

How Can Vanguard Logistics Help?

Battery shipments don’t have to be complicated. Vanguard Logistics can help you navigate both regulatory requirements and carrier-specific policies to ensure your shipments move smoothly.

If you have questions, please contact your local Vanguard representative.

Join our Complimentary Training Session: Shipping Lithium Batteries by Ocean

To further support our customers, we have organized a training session for May 19. Designed for freight forwarders and NVOCCs, this session will cover:

• How to identify and classify battery shipments
• Required documentation and compliance checks
• Practical steps to reduce rejections by ocean carriers

Session details:

• Date: May 19, 2026
• Time: 3:00 PM CST | 1:00 PM PST
• Duration: 30 mins

If you’re interested in attending, please register here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/WguFtF1qjb