Use Case
Battery triage
Helps decide whether a shipment is batteries only, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment.
Freight Operations
IATA Lithium Battery Guidance (2026)
Operational quick sheet for classifying, preparing, declaring and checking lithium and sodium-ion battery consignments for air transport.
Quick guide
What you need to know before you move forward.
Start with the highlights below, use the checklist to prepare your shipment or paperwork, then jump to the chapter that matches the issue you are working through.
Identify chemistry and transport configuration before booking.
Check whether standalone cells are permitted on the intended service.
Prepare UN 38.3 and related support evidence before cut-off.
Rebuild paperwork whenever the shipping configuration changes.
Critical Control
Correct PI path
Packaging, labels and paperwork depend on the exact transport condition.
High-Risk Item
Power banks
Treat them as batteries, not generic accessories.
Classify
Confirm chemistry, UN number and whether the batteries travel alone or with equipment.
Validate
Check test evidence, state-of-charge limits and airline acceptance constraints.
Pack
Protect terminals, prevent movement and align marking to the applicable instruction.
Declare
Tender with the correct documentation set for the actual shipment condition.
Overview
This guide translates core points from IATA's 2026 lithium battery guidance into practical booking and pre-lodgement actions for Freightshop users. It is intended to reduce avoidable rework by helping shippers identify the correct battery category and declaration path before cargo arrives.
01
Safety focus
Scope and Battery Types
Lithium metal batteries (typically non-rechargeable), lithium-ion batteries (rechargeable), and sodium-ion batteries with organic electrolyte all require careful classification for air transport. In operational terms, the main distinction is not just battery chemistry, but whether batteries are shipped by themselves, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment.
Consumer items such as power banks are treated as batteries for transport purposes. They should not be treated as generic accessories when preparing declarations or determining packaging instruction pathways.
Why this matters
Lithium metal batteries (typically non-rechargeable), lithium-ion batteries (rechargeable), and sodium-ion batteries with organic electrolyte all require careful classification for air transport.
In operational terms, the main distinction is not just battery chemistry, but whether batteries are shipped by themselves, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment.
Content emphasis
Actions
Limits
Docs
Prep
This chapter leans most heavily on the topics with the tallest bars.
02
Operational focus
Key Air Transport Controls
Standalone lithium metal batteries are generally prohibited as cargo on passenger aircraft unless an applicable approval or exemption exists. Standalone lithium-ion batteries are subject to state-of-charge controls, including the common 30% threshold unless specifically authorised under relevant provisions.
Requirements can change materially based on shipment configuration. A consignment packed with equipment may have a different marking, labelling, packaging, or documentation path than a consignment of batteries only, even if the cells are identical.
Why this matters
Standalone lithium metal batteries are generally prohibited as cargo on passenger aircraft unless an applicable approval or exemption exists.
Standalone lithium-ion batteries are subject to state-of-charge controls, including the common 30% threshold unless specifically authorised under relevant provisions.
Content emphasis
Actions
Limits
Docs
Prep
This chapter leans most heavily on the topics with the tallest bars.
03
Documentation focus
Classification and Documentation
Always select UN number and packing instruction from the actual transport condition. Teams should validate test evidence availability, including UN 38.3 related records and battery test summary obligations, before dispatch dates are locked in.
A common failure point is reusing previous paperwork where shipment configuration has changed. If batteries move from contained-in-equipment to packed-with-equipment or standalone, declarations and handling details must be refreshed.
Why this matters
Always select UN number and packing instruction from the actual transport condition.
Teams should validate test evidence availability, including UN 38.3 related records and battery test summary obligations, before dispatch dates are locked in.
Content emphasis
Actions
Limits
Docs
Prep
This chapter leans most heavily on the topics with the tallest bars.
04
Handling focus
Packaging, Marking, and Handling
Packages must prevent short-circuit, accidental activation, and internal movement. Terminal protection and inner packaging stability are key controls, particularly where mixed items are consolidated for freight.
Marking and labelling should align to the exact applicable instruction section. When using overpacks, verify compatibility and segregation rules before consolidation to avoid acceptance delays at tender.
Why this matters
Packages must prevent short-circuit, accidental activation, and internal movement.
Terminal protection and inner packaging stability are key controls, particularly where mixed items are consolidated for freight.
Content emphasis
Actions
Limits
Docs
Prep
This chapter leans most heavily on the topics with the tallest bars.
05
Operational focus
Freightshop Pre-Lodgement Checklist
Why this matters
Freightshop Pre-Lodgement Checklist
What to check
- Identify battery chemistry and transport configuration before booking.
- Confirm piece count, net battery quantity, and applicable handling category.
- Prepare supporting documents (including SDS where required by service workflow) before cargo arrival.
- Flag uncertain or mixed cargo early so routing and acceptance can be assessed before cut-off.