On December 15, 2004, the United States Department of Transport passed an Interim Final Rule regarding safe shipping and transportation procedures for Lithium-ion batteries. The new regulations apply primarily to transporting Li-ion batteries as cargo aboard passenger aircraft, but do include some stipulations for shipping Li-ion batteries on cargo aircraft as well. The ruling updates parts 171, 172, 173 and 175 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 (49 CFR 171-173, 175), and defines allowable amounts of lithium or lithium-equivalent by weight that may be transported before restrictions are applied.
It should be noted individuals transporting lithium-ion batteries for personal use in consumer electronics are not restricted by this ruling. Devices containing lithium or lithium-ion batteries (or spare batteries) may be brought on board passenger aircraft in carry-on or checked baggage without restriction. The ruling is intended to monitor and regulate the transportation of large shipments of lithium and lithium-ion batteries, and should not affect individual passengers.
In addition, although the ruling does not include secondary (rechargeable) lithium-ion batteries per se, the "FAA and RSPA have similar concerns with [them] in that they appear to have similar self-ignition characteristics as primary lithium cells and batteries when subjected to thermal and physical abuse conditions... RSPA and the FAA will continue to study the hazards associated with the transportation of secondary lithium batteries and we will initiate additional actions as necessary." (1) Alti-tech ships according to the industry standard "lithium-equivalent" system which gives lithium-ion batteries a lithium weight equivalency relative to primary lithium batteries. Currently, all Alti-tech products and batteries rate below the maximum allowable lithium-equivalence level and therefore need not be shipped with special documentation.
For more specific information regarding the transportation of Li-ion batteries and cells, please follow the links to the PDF files listed below:
CFR 49 178.185 Lithium batteries and cells (revised October 1, 2005)- Transport Rules and Regulations
- Research and Special Programs Administration - 49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173 and 175: Hazardous Materials; Prohibition on the Transportation of Primary Lithium Batteries and Cells Aboard Passenger Aircraft; Final Rule
(1) Federal Register, Vol. 69, No. 240 / Wednesday, December 15, 2004; Section IV.D