Meaning
Transportation regulations governing the air shipment of lithium-ion cells require strict compliance with packaging and safety standards to prevent inflight incidents. For air cargo logistics, UN 38.3 PI 965 specifies the packing instructions for lithium-ion batteries shipped as standalone cargo. This standard restricts the state of charge to a maximum of thirty percent to minimize the severity of any potential thermal runaway.
Shipping Requirement
Compliance with this instruction demands that cells pass the standard UN 38.3 safety testing suite, which includes thermal and vibration tests. Under UN 38.3 PI 965, the packages must be designed to withstand a one point two meter drop test without damage to the cells. The shipment must also carry distinct handling labels and documentation to inform logistics personnel of the hazard.
Transport Security
Reducing the state of charge during transport lowers the active chemical energy inside the cells, which reduces the hazard level. Sourcing managers must align their production schedules with these shipping limitations because batteries cannot be shipped fully charged. This alignment ensures that cells arriving at distribution centers are prepared safely for international transit.
Logistic Consequence
Failing to meet these shipping requirements can result in severe financial penalties and shipment delays.