Lithium Battery Shipping Labels
Lithium cells are regulated as dangerous goods. Which mark your parcel needs depends on the cell type, the watt-hour rating, and whether the battery ships alone, with equipment, or inside it — and the rules are revised regularly.
Two different things people call the same name
The lithium battery mark is the red-hatched-border rectangle showing a battery symbol, the UN number, and a contact telephone number. It is used for smaller cells and batteries shipped under the relevant excepted provisions.
The Class 9 hazard label is the black-and-white striped diamond used for fully regulated dangerous-goods shipments. Larger batteries, damaged or defective cells, and consignments that exceed the excepted thresholds require it, generally alongside shipping papers and a declaration.
Which one applies is determined by the watt-hour rating (or lithium content for primary cells), the quantity in the package, and the packing configuration — battery alone, battery packed with equipment, or battery installed in equipment. These three configurations have different UN numbers and different requirements, and they are the first thing to establish.
What the mark has to show
The lithium battery mark carries the applicable UN number or numbers and a telephone number for additional information. The telephone number must be reachable — it exists so an emergency responder or a carrier can get details about the shipment, and a number that goes unanswered defeats the purpose.
The mark has specified minimum dimensions and a specified border width. Regulators set these deliberately: a mark that is too small or has a thin border may be rejected at a carrier's dangerous-goods check, and reduced-size provisions exist only for packages whose dimensions make the full-size mark impractical.
The mark must be durable and legible, and it must remain so through the journey. Printing on plain paper and taping it to a box that will be handled in wet conditions is a realistic way to have it become illegible in transit.
Air versus ground, and why it matters
Air transport is significantly more restrictive than ground. State-of-charge limits apply to cells shipped by air, some configurations are forbidden on passenger aircraft entirely, and the documentation burden is higher.
Carriers also apply their own rules on top of the international regulations, and those are frequently stricter. A configuration permitted under the regulations may still be refused by a specific carrier, or require a pre-approved dangerous-goods account.
Damaged, defective, or recalled cells are a separate and much stricter category. They are generally prohibited from air transport and require specialised packaging designed to contain a thermal event. If you are returning a swollen or faulty battery, treat it as a specialist shipment rather than an ordinary one.
Confirm before you ship — these rules change
Lithium battery provisions are revised on a regular cycle by the international bodies that set them, and carriers update their published requirements accordingly. Thresholds, mark specifications, and state-of-charge limits have all changed within recent revision cycles.
Before shipping, check the current requirement in two places: the regulation applicable to your mode and route, and your specific carrier's published dangerous-goods guidance. Where they differ, the carrier's rule governs what they will accept.
If you ship batteries regularly, the training requirement is not optional — people preparing dangerous-goods shipments are required to be trained under the applicable rules. This page is general orientation, not a compliance determination for your shipment.
Common questions
Do I need a label for a battery inside a device?
It depends on the watt-hour rating, the number of cells, and the packing configuration. Batteries installed in equipment have different provisions from batteries shipped alone, and some small configurations have relief from marking. Confirm against the current regulation and your carrier's rules for your specific case.
What is the difference between the lithium battery mark and the Class 9 label?
The lithium battery mark is the red-bordered rectangle used for shipments under excepted provisions. The Class 9 label is the striped diamond used for fully regulated dangerous goods. Which applies depends on rating, quantity, and configuration.
Can I ship lithium batteries by air?
Some configurations, subject to state-of-charge limits, quantity restrictions, and carrier approval. Others are prohibited on passenger aircraft. Damaged or defective cells are generally forbidden by air. Always confirm with the carrier before booking.
Where do I put the mark on the package?
On the outer packaging where it is clearly visible and not obscured by tape, other labels, or the address block. If the package is handled in a way that could scuff it, position it on a face that will not take the worst of the wear.
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