Guangdong ESTL Technology Co., Ltd. | Interpretation of New Lithium Battery Air Transport Regulations
IATA DGR 67th Edition Implemented in 2026

Air Transport of Lithium Batteries Packed with Equipment Faces Strictest Supervision

Is Your Export Business Ready?

Attention!

Bluetooth devices, power tools, smart home products manufactured by your company...

If they contain spare batteries packed with the equipment, their transportation may have crossed the "non-compliance red line"!

New 2026 Regulations in Effect: 30% State of Charge Becomes Mandatory Standard

The 67th edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) officially came into force on January 1, 2026. It introduces clearer and more stringent mandatory requirements for the air transport of lithium-ion/metal batteries, especially those "packed with equipment".

Core Change: The previous recommendation of limiting the battery State of Charge (SoC) to no more than 30% has been upgraded to a mandatory rule. This means all lithium batteries with energy exceeding 2.7Wh, which are packed with equipment for air transport, must ensure their SoC is ≤ 30% before delivery.

1. Detailed New Regulations: Is Your Product Subject to Supervision?

Summary of Key New Regulation Information: A Table for Quick Reference to UN Number RequirementsTo facilitate quick inquiry and verification for practitioners, we have compiled the SoC requirements corresponding to different UN numbers and packing instructions based on the new regulations:
 

Products Explicitly Covered by the New Regulations:

• Equipment and batteries are packaged separately but placed in the same outer box (e.g., a power tool main unit and an independently packaged spare battery box).
• The battery energy exceeds 2.7Wh.
• The transportation method involves air freight.

Example:For an exported smart robot vacuum cleaner (with a built-in battery) that comes with a detachable 3000mAh spare lithium battery (approximately 11.1Wh) in the same package, this spare battery must comply with the new regulations by having its SoC controlled at 30% or below before factory shipment and transportation.

Scenarios That May Be Exempt from This Rule:

• Batteries are fully built into the device and non-detachable (e.g., smartphones, smart watches).
• Batteries are transported as standalone commercial goods (subject to UN3480 or UN3090 provisions).
• Batteries have energy ≤ 2.7Wh (e.g., small button cells).

2. Practical Impacts: Non-Compliance Leads to Transportation Disruptions and Commercial Losses

The new regulations have been simultaneously implemented by major airlines and logistics carriers worldwide. Meanwhile, e-commerce platforms such as Amazon have updated their FBA inbound policies, requiring sellers to provide SoC compliance certificates for relevant products.

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

• Airport Rejection: Goods will be rejected by airlines or ground handling agents at the origin airport and cannot be loaded onto aircraft.
• Mandatory Diversion or Return: Exported goods may be detained at transit hubs or destination ports, requiring conversion to sea or land transport, resulting in significant delays (20–45 days or longer).
• Platform Penalties: Products without compliance declarations may be restricted from FBA warehousing or sales, causing missed sales peak seasons.
• Cost Surge: Additional costs incurred for warehousing, transshipment, rectification, and management.

3. Compliance Guide: Three Steps to Ensure Smooth Supply Chain Operations

To ensure your products are exported smoothly and avoid supply chain disruptions, we recommend taking the following actions immediately:

Step 1: Internal Screening and Identification

• Conduct a full review of all product lines to identify categories that fall under the "batteries packed with equipment" scope.
• Review product packaging designs, factory shipment processes, and warehouse management procedures to locate SoC control checkpoints.

Step 2: Process Optimization and Quality Control

• Production End: Adjust the final assembly/packaging procedures to add precision discharge or low-SoC factory settings for spare batteries, ensuring the factory-shipped SoC is ≤ 25% (leaving a buffer for logistics).
• Warehouse End: Establish an independent SoC testing process to conduct random checks on inventory products, ensuring compliance before transportation.
• Documentation End: Update the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) to clearly indicate "State of Charge: ≤30%". Simultaneously, prepare battery test summaries (e.g., UN38.3 test reports) that meet airline requirements.

Step 3: Seek Professional Support and Certification

The new regulations involve complex classification, testing, and documentation requirements. Collaborating with qualified third-party testing and certification institutions is the most efficient and reliable path to compliance.

Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. – Helping You Cross the Compliance Threshold Smoothly

Faced with the increasingly stringent global regulatory environment for battery product transportation, you need an experienced and trustworthy compliance partner. As a professional battery and energy storage product testing laboratory in South China, Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. has in-depth expertise in domestic and international battery regulations and standards. We offer one-stop solutions to address the challenges posed by the new regulations:

• Professional Interpretation and Consulting: Our technical expert team provides detailed interpretations of the IATA DGR 67th edition, Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) rules, and destination country requirements, offering targeted compliance recommendations.
• Key Testing Services: Issue authoritative UN38.3 test reports (essential for air transport safety) and battery specification verification, providing core support for preparing complete transportation certification documents.
• Efficient Localized Services: Leveraging local laboratories, we provide fast testing cycles and convenient communication, fully supporting your product launch and export plans.

Take Action Now to Avoid Delays!

We recommend all manufacturers, brand owners, and exporters involved in battery product exports to initiate compliance assessments immediately. If you need to confirm whether your products are affected by the new regulations or require any testing and certification services, please feel free to contact us.

Official Website: [www.gdestl.com]Phone: [+86 13925598091]Email: [net03@gtggroup.com]