Lithium Battery Guidance
Lithium-Ion Battery Shipping: Updated Carrier Requirements
Dear Readers,
Following our January 2026 customer advisory, ocean carriers have rolled out several updates to their lithium-ion battery policies — including some welcome easing of restrictions. Here's what shippers need to know to keep cargo moving safely and compliantly.
Used Lithium-Ion Batteries: Now Accepted (With Strings Attached)
The headline change: ocean carriers are once again accepting used lithium-ion batteries, though approval happens on a case-by-case basis and the documentation bar remains high.
This applies whether the batteries are shipped standalone, contained in equipment, or packed alongside equipment. In every case, they must be fully declared at the time of booking and backed by complete paperwork.
Required documentation:
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
UN 38.3 Test Certificate
End User Certificate
Letter of Indemnity (LOI) on shipper letterhead — required by some carriers, including MSC
Missing any of the above? Expect the cargo to be declined. No exceptions.
New Lithium-Ion Batteries: Declaration Is Non-Negotiable
All new lithium-ion batteries must be declared at booking — and a packing list alone doesn't cut it. Shippers are required to confirm in writing whether lithium-ion batteries are included in the shipment.
Required documentation:
Battery Test Certificate (UN 38.3 compliant, dated within the last 18 months)
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
One important reminder: several ocean carriers now require all lithium-ion batteries to be declared as hazardous cargo, regardless of quantity or any eligibility under IMDG Special Provision 188. When in doubt, declare.
The Stakes for Getting This Wrong
Compliance here isn't just paperwork — it's a cargo safety issue, and carriers are enforcing the rules aggressively. Shippers carry the responsibility for declaring cargo truthfully, accurately, and in full alignment with the IMDG Code and carrier-specific requirements.
Failure to comply can trigger:
Shipment delays
Cargo refusal or rollover
Discharge at origin or destination
Fines of USD $50,000 or more for mis-declared or undeclared hazardous cargo
When in Doubt, Ask First
Lithium-ion battery shipments are one of the areas where a five-minute conversation before booking can save weeks of headaches downstream. If you have any questions about documentation, classification, or carrier-specific quirks, reach out to Chain Logic before you book.
Our team is here to help ensure your shipments move safely, compliantly, and on schedule.
