On January 1, 2026, the 67th edition of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) officially came into force, introducing more detailed rules on the State of Charge (SoC) for lithium battery air transport. Since the implementation of the new regulations, numerous non-compliance cases have occurred frequently, making strict adherence to the rules an unshakable bottom line for industry practitioners.

A 3C seller’s shipment of 5,000 Bluetooth speakers bound for Germany was fully seized by the airline at Pudong Airport. The reason: the spare batteries shipped in the same box as the devices had an SoC exceeding 30%, violating the mandatory requirements of PI966 Part II.

It is reported that cross-border platforms such as Amazon have simultaneously enforced the new regulations. Non-compliant goods are directly diverted to land transport, resulting in delivery delays of 20–45 days and soaring out-of-stock risks during peak seasons. Many sellers reported that their goods were stuck in warehouses and unable to be listed on FBA because they could not provide proof that the battery SoC was ≤ 30%, directly impacting store sales and ratings.

Such cases are not isolated. Since the new regulations took effect, multiple airports across the country have investigated and handled numerous lithium battery transport violations involving various goods such as 3C products, power tools, and small electric devices. Non-compliant enterprises have suffered varying degrees of losses, and these incidents have also caused unnecessary congestion and risks in the air freight chain.

I. Core Content of the New Regulations: SoC Requirements for Three Packaging Scenarios

The new regulations establish differentiated State of Charge (SoC) standards for lithium battery shipments under different packing instructions, distinguishing between mandatory and recommended requirements to precisely control transport risks.

Packing Instruction PI966: Lithium Ion Batteries Packed with Equipment (UN3481)

This category typically refers to shipments where lithium batteries are packaged separately from the host device but in the same outer box—for example, power drills, robot vacuums, and other equipment with lithium batteries.

• PI966 Part I: Mandatory requirement: SoC must not exceed 30% of the rated capacity. If the SoC exceeds 30%, dual approvals from the country of origin and the airline’s country of registration are required; otherwise, transport is prohibited.
• PI966 Part II: Tiered standards based on lithium battery energy (Wh)
  • Energy > 2.7Wh: Mandatory SoC ≤ 30%; dual national approvals are required for excess SoC.
  • Energy ≤ 2.7Wh: The new regulation sets a recommended requirement (SoC ≤ 30% is advised). No national approvals are needed for excess SoC, and normal transport is permitted.

Packing Instruction PI967: Lithium Ion Batteries Contained in Equipment (UN3481)

This is the most common type in daily life and office use, covering products with built-in lithium batteries such as mobile phones and tablets. The new regulations impose unified recommended measures for SoC with no mandatory limits:Applicable to both PI967 Part I and Part II, regardless of device type or lithium battery energy, it is only recommended that the SoC be ≤ 30% or the device’s displayed battery level be ≤ 25%.

Packing Instruction PI952: Vehicles Powered by Lithium Ion Batteries (UN3556)

For the air transport of electric vehicles such as e-scooters and small electric vans, the new regulations set differentiated requirements based on the 100Wh lithium battery energy threshold:

• Battery energy > 100Wh: Mandatory requirement: SoC ≤ 30% or displayed battery level ≤ 25%. If both exceed the limits, relevant national approvals are required before transport.
• Battery energy ≤ 100Wh: Only a recommended measure (SoC ≤ 30% or displayed battery level ≤ 25% is advised). No national approvals are needed for excess SoC.

II. Quick Reference to Key New Regulation Information: SoC Requirements by UN Number & Packing Instruction

For the convenience of practitioners to quickly query and verify, the SoC requirements corresponding to different UN numbers and packing instructions are summarized below:

III. Compliance Guide: Core Measures to Avoid Risks

For lithium battery-related enterprises and logistics providers, thoroughly understanding the details of the new regulations and optimizing operational processes is the only way to avoid transport losses. Combining the new regulatory requirements and practical experience, the following core compliance recommendations are put forward:

1. Pre-Shipment Testing & Adjustment: Strictly Control SoC

For scenarios with mandatory requirements—such as PI966 Parts I/II (> 2.7Wh) and PI952 (> 100Wh)—use professional equipment to reduce the lithium battery SoC to below 30% before factory shipment or packing. It is recommended that enterprises adjust production lines to control the battery level of ex-factory equipment at ≤ 25%, reserving buffer space for power fluctuations during transportation and eliminating excess risks from the source.

2. Standardize Documentation Declaration: Meet Airline-Specific Requirements

When cooperating with airlines with special labeling requirements (e.g., Korean Air, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Starlux Airlines), clearly indicate “State of Charge: ≤30%” in the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD). Some airlines require supplementary SoC testing information in the handling instructions section to ensure declared content is compliant and verifiable.

3. Scenario-Based Management: Retain Testing Records

For scenarios with recommended requirements—such as PI966 Part II (≤ 2.7Wh) and all PI967 categories—adjust the SoC flexibly based on transport efficiency and costs, but must retain lithium battery SoC testing records for inspection by airlines and platforms. Meanwhile, enterprises should update operation manuals and checklists, and complete dangerous goods transport training for all staff to ensure frontline personnel master the new regulatory requirements.

4. Follow Platform Rules: Align with Amazon Declaration Requirements

Amazon sellers must pay close attention to “SoC declaration” and truthfully report lithium battery SoC information. For combined products such as Bluetooth earphones + extra battery packs and remote-controlled cars + detachable lithium batteries, conduct separate SoC testing on spare batteries to avoid full shipment diversion to land transport due to non-compliant spare batteries.

IV. Conclusion: Balancing Safety & Efficiency – Compliance Is the Only Path Forward

The core logic of the 2026 IATA DGR lithium battery SoC regulations is to strike a balance between transport safety and logistics efficiency. Through differentiated tiered requirements, it strictly controls safety hazards of high-risk lithium battery shipments while facilitating the transport of low-energy, low-risk goods.

Practical cases show that non-compliant transport not only leads to goods seizure, logistics delays, and skyrocketing costs, but also damages corporate credit, restricts air freight qualifications, and even endangers aviation safety.

For industry practitioners, timely adjusting operational standards and adhering to compliance bottom lines is not only a necessary measure to respond to the new regulations, but also a core guarantee for the sustainable development of enterprises.