UN38.3 MSDS And Shipping Lithium Batteries By Sea

The two documents that travel with every shipment

MSDS, the material safety data sheet, describes the chemistry, the hazards and the handling requirements.

UN38.3 is the transport test summary. It certifies the cell or pack has passed the United Nations tests for altitude, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact, overcharge and forced discharge.

We hold MSDS and UN38.3 as the basis of any certificate.

Why UN38.3 is about the cell and the pack, not the brand

The test summary applies to a specific cell and a specific pack configuration.

Change the cell, and the summary no longer covers what is in the box. This is one practical reason to buy cell and pack from the same manufacturer rather than assembling from spot-market cells.

What your destination market adds

Beyond MSDS and UN38.3, each market applies its own requirements. We apply for the relevant certificate according to each market policy requirement.

Tell us the destination country at quotation stage, not at booking stage. Certification is a lead time, not a form.

Packing and state of charge

Cells and packs ship at a controlled state of charge, packed so terminals cannot short against each other or the packaging.

Our minimum order quantity normally starts from one 40 HC container, which keeps a shipment in a single, correctly documented consignment rather than split across mixed loads.

Where the lead time actually goes

First order within 60 days, and from the second order 30 days. Documentation runs alongside production rather than after it.

Payment is by TT or LC at sight depending on the market, and the documentation set is prepared with the shipping documents.

End of life is also a shipping question

Returning batteries for recycling is a dangerous goods movement in the other direction.

We hold national qualification for lithium battery recycling and are one of four nationally licensed lithium battery cell recycling enterprises, so return routing can be planned as part of a project rather than improvised at end of life.