IATA DGR 67th Edition: Lithium Battery SoC Limits (2026 Implementation)

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IATA DGR 67th Edition: Lithium Battery State of Charge (SoC) Regulations for Air Transport

Editor:ESTL Category:Certification information Release time:2025-09-19 Click volume:7

Since ICAO introduced the mandatory requirement limiting the State of Charge (SoC) of pure lithium-ion batteries to no more than 30%, safety controls for lithium batteries in air transport have continued to strengthen. From January 1, 2026, the 67th edition of IATA's Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) implements new, more detailed requirements for lithium batteries shipped with or in equipment, covering different packing instructions and UN numbers.

I. SoC Requirements by Packing Instruction

1. PI966: Lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment (UN3481)

Typical scenario: Battery and device shipped in same box but not connected (e.g., power drill, robotic vacuum)

Part I: SoC must not exceed 30% of rated capacity. Exceeding 30% requires approval from both the origin country and the airline's country.
Part II: Based on battery energy (Wh):
- 2.7Wh: SoC must be ≤30% (approval required if exceeded)
- ≤2.7Wh: Recommendation only - ≤30% preferred but no approval needed if exceeded

2. PI967: Lithium-ion batteries installed in equipment (UN3481)

Typical products: Mobile phones, tablets, laptops with built-in batteries

Applies to both Part I and Part II
Recommendation only: SoC ≤30% or device display ≤25%
Not mandatory

3. PI952: Vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries (UN3556)

Examples: Electric scooters, small electric vehicles

100Wh: Must have SoC ≤30% or display ≤25% (approval required if exceeded)
≤100Wh: Recommendation only - ≤30% or display ≤25% preferred

II. Summary Table of Requirements

UN Number	Cargo Type	PI	Section/Energy	SoC Requirement	Nature
UN3480	Pure lithium-ion batteries	PI965	IA/IB	≤30%	Mandatory
UN3481	Packed with equipment	PI966	Part I	≤30%	Mandatory (approval if exceeded)
UN3481	Packed with equipment	PI966	Part II (>2.7Wh)	≤30%	Mandatory (approval if exceeded)
UN3481	Packed with equipment	PI966	Part II (≤2.7Wh)	≤30% or display ≤25%	Recommendation
UN3481	Installed in equipment	PI967	I/II	≤30% or display ≤25%	Recommendation
UN3556	Vehicles (lithium-powered)	PI952	>100Wh	≤30% or display ≤25%	Mandatory (approval if exceeded)
UN3556	Vehicles (lithium-powered)	PI952	≤100Wh	≤30% or display ≤25%	Recommendation

IV. Impact and Implementation Strategies

For lithium battery manufacturers and logistics providers:

Pre-shipment SoC management:
- For PI966 Parts I/II (>2.7Wh) and PI952 (>100Wh), ensure SoC ≤30% before shipping
- Implement battery conditioning processes at factory or warehouse
Documentation compliance:
- Clearly indicate SoC in Dangerous Goods Declaration when required
- Follow specific airline requirements (Korean Air, ANA, Asiana, StarFlyer)
Risk-based approach:
- For mandatory scenarios: Strict compliance with ≤30% requirement
- For recommendation-only scenarios: Balance operational needs with safety
- Maintain records of SoC measurements for airline verification

The 2026 IATA DGR lithium battery SoC regulations strike a balance between transportation safety and logistics efficiency through a risk-based approach. Companies should update their SOPs and ensure staff training to avoid shipment disruptions.

Label: 2026 aviation battery regulations lithium battery SoC limit UN3481 air transport UN3556 battery rules PI966 requirements PI967 regulations PI952 compliance IATA DGR 67

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