Abstract: For battery manufacturers and exporters, updating the Air Transport Identification Report from the end of each year to before the Spring Festival is a crucial compliance task. This article clarifies the core reasons for the annual report update, the streamlined application process, and key timelines—helping your battery products seamlessly connect with the Spring Festival logistics peak and ensuring the smooth operation of global supply chains.

I. Why Must Your Air Transport Identification Report Be Updated Annually?

The Cargo Transport Condition Identification Certificate (commonly known as the air transport identification report) is an indispensable "pass" for battery products to be transported by air. Unlike product certification certificates, this report has a clear validity period, usually one year from the date of issuance.

Annual updates are primarily based on the following three core reasons:

1. Mandatory Regulatory Requirements

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations clearly stipulate that identification documents used for transport must remain up-to-date. Airlines and airport cargo terminals will strictly verify the validity period of the report when accepting goods; expired reports will be directly deemed invalid, resulting in cargo rejection.

2. Reflection of Dynamic Compliance

Even if your battery products themselves remain unchanged, international transport regulations, packaging requirements, and aviation safety policies may be adjusted at any time. The annual update mechanism ensures that your transport documents always comply with the latest regulatory requirements, serving as a key reflection of fulfilling the shipper’s safety responsibilities.

3. Mitigation of Supply Chain Disruption Risks

The period around the Spring Festival is a critical time for global logistics. An identification report that is about to expire or has expired will directly lead to your cargo being detained, fined, or even returned at the airport—causing significant economic losses and damage to business reputation. Timely updates are the cornerstone of ensuring supply chain stability.

II. Efficient Updates: Which Scenario Applies to Your Battery Products?

Understanding your product status and choosing the right update path can save time and effort.

Scenario 1: No Changes to Battery Products (Applicable to 90% of Customers)

If your battery’s model, specifications, materials, and production processes are identical to those of the previous year, and you hold a valid UN38.3 test report, the update process will be significantly streamlined:

Core Process: Submit old Air Transport Identification Report + valid UN38.3 report → Institution review → Issue new annual identification report.

Advantages: No need to re-submit samples for testing; the process is efficient, and the certificate is issued quickly—this is the most cost-effective update method.

Scenario 2: Changes to Battery Products

If your battery has undergone design improvements, capacity adjustments, or replacement of key materials in the past year, it may be regarded as a new product:

Core Process: A new UN38.3 test is required for the new product, and a brand-new Air Transport Identification Report must be applied for based on the new test report.

Recommendation: Before planning the update, be sure to communicate with our technical team to confirm whether the changes affect certification and avoid misjudgment.

III. Key Timelines: Why Must You Act Now?

We strongly recommend that you initiate the update process at least 1–2 months before the report expires. The reasons are as follows:

1. Avoid Year-End Peak Periods: The fourth quarter of each year to before the Spring Festival is the peak period for update applications. Testing institutions experience a surge in acceptance volume; handling the update in advance avoids queuing and waiting.

2. Reserve Buffer Time: Allocate sufficient time for potential document supplements and information verification. This ensures that the old report is still valid before the new report is issued, achieving "seamless connection."

3. Guarantee Shipping Plans: Ensure that the shipping plans for your last batch of goods before the Spring Festival and the first batch after the festival are not affected by any document issues.

Conclusion: Reserve Now to Secure an Efficient Update Channel

Time waits for no one, and logistics waits for no one. A valid Air Transport Identification Report is a "ticket" for your battery products to be shipped globally. Do not let your business be "paused" due to the temporary "invalidity" of documents.

Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. has opened a "Priority Green Channel for Air Transport Identification Report Updates" specifically for old customers, dedicated to providing you with professional review and fast certificate issuance services. We promise that for customers with complete materials and unchanged products, we will complete the update with industry-leading efficiency.

Please immediately check the expiration date of your report and make a priority reservation through the official website customer service!