UN 3481: MORE THAN 2 LITHIUM ION BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT (2020 SCOPE); BY DOMESTIC ROAD, RAIL & VESSEL

REMINGTON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORT DATA SHEET

COMMODITY:

A) 2020 Scope, or More Than 2 Small Lithium Ion Batteries In Equipment
B) Equipment with batteries not installed, but packed with it.

MODE OF TRANSPORTATION: Domestic Road, Rail & Vessel

OVERVIEW

PROPER SHIPPING NAME:Lithium ion batteries contained in equipmentLABEL:No
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:UN 3481PLACARD:No
HAZARD CLASS/DIVISION:9EMERG. INFO:No
PACKING GROUP:NoneTRAINING:No
DOCUMENT:SpecialPACKAGING:Non-spec
MARKING:Special

HAZMAT TABLE

(1)Sym-bols(2)Hazardous materials descriptions and proper shipping names(3)Hazard class or Division(4)Identifi-cation Numbers(5)PG(6)Label Codes(7)Special provisions(§172.102)(8)Packaging (§173.***)(9)Quantity Limitations(see §§173.27 and 175.75)(10)Vesselstowage
Excep-tionsNon-
bulk
BulkPassenger aircraft/ rail
Cargo aircraft onlyLoca-
tion
Other
(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8A)(8)(8C)(9A)(9B)(10A)(10B)
GLithium ion batteries contained in equipment including lithium ion polymer batteries
9UN30919A54, A101
1851851855 kg35 kgA

CLASSIFICATION

Lithium cells and batteries must meet requirements of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. The manufacture must record the test results and maintain them (indefinitely).

This transport data sheet uses some of the small cells and batteries exceptions in 49 CFR 173.185(c). The criteria are:

  • may not exceed lithium ion batteries of 100 Watt-hours (Wh) each, or lithium ion cells not exceeding 20 Wh each.
  • Starting in 2016 lithium ion batteries using this exception must be marked with the watt-hour rating

The 2020 Scope has 4 batteries; only two batteries are allowed in the equipment to eliminate package marking or documentation. However, normal marking and documentation do not apply, and are replaced with special limited requirements.

Citation: 49 CFR 173.185(a), 49 CFR 173.185(c)

PACKAGING INFORMATION

Packaging must meet the general requirements of 49 CFR 173 Subpart B. Lithium batteries must be packaged in a manner to prevent short circuits, movement within the outer package and accidental activation of the equipment. Specification packaging does not apply.

Citation: 49 CFR 173 Subpart B, 49 CFR 173.185(b), 49 CFR 173.185(b)

SHIPPING PAPER REQUIREMENTS

Normal documentation requirements are waived and replaced with specific requirements. The text is performance-based, and not prescribed other than it must contain the following information:

(A) An indication that the package contains “lithium metal” or “lithium ion” cells or batteries, as appropriate;

(B) An indication that the package is to be handled with care and that a flammable hazard exists if the package is damaged;

(C) An indication that special procedures must be followed in the event the package is damaged, to include inspection and repacking if necessary; and

(D) A telephone number for additional information.

A document could be purchased, or the following text could be produced on Avery labels:

Citation: 49 CFR 173.185(c)(3)(iii)

CARTON MARKING

This handling label is required for air and can be used for all modes. The same information can be used in a different format for other modes, but it is recommended just to keep one sticker and use it for all shipments.

A phone number must be provided on the handling label. It could be an emergency phone number as required for many other hazardous materials, but this is not required, and it could be an office phone number. It should have the country code for international shipments.

The handling label must be at least 120 mm (4.7 inches) wide by 110 mm (4.3 inches) high. However, markings of 105 mm (4.1 inches) wide by 74 mm (2.9 inches) high may be used on when the package is too small for the larger mark.

Citation: 49 CFR 173.185

OVERPACKS

There are no hazardous materials marking or labeling requirements for overpacks of packages of equipment containing lithium cells or batteries when shipped according with this transport data sheet. This can be deduced from the fact that the air mode portion of 173.185 has overpack marking requirements, but it is not included in the general requirements for all modes. 

It may be easier for comprehension of personnel to adhere to standard overpack marking protocols in 173.25, unless there is enough extra labor to merit training about this peculiarity, and mark the overpack as follows:

Citation: 49 CFR §173.185(c)(4)(ii)§173.25