Air vs. Sea Shipping: Different Requirements for Transporting Batteries to Countries Worldwide

In battery foreign trade transport, “choosing the right transport method” is equally important as “understanding destination rules.” Air shipping excels in speed but is limited by strict dangerous goods control standards; sea shipping is the preferred choice for bulk orders due to cost advantages, yet faces longer declaration cycles and port inspection risks. More critically, for the same type of battery and target country, classification standards, packaging requirements, and prohibition red lines may vary completely due to differences in transport environments (high altitude and low pressure for air vs. sealed high temperature for sea). According to statistics from the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), 41% of global battery transport compliance disputes in 2023 stemmed from confusion about the differing requirements of air and sea shipping, with disputes in the U.S. and EU markets accounting for over 60%. This article will deeply analyze the core differences between air and sea shipping, combined with specific national regulations, to provide a precise and compliant transport guide for foreign trade professionals.

I. Core Differences: Comparison of Underlying Logic and General Rules Between Air and Sea Shipping

The differences in battery transport control between air and sea shipping essentially stem from variations in “risk transmission speed” and “emergency response capabilities”—aircraft cabins are confined with limited emergency resources, making thermal runaway accidents difficult to control; while sea shipping holds relatively open spaces that allow separate isolation of dangerous goods, slowing risk diffusion. This underlying logic determines the core differences in their general rules:

Key Supplement: Special Differences for “Equipment Containing Batteries”

• Air shipping: Equipment containing batteries (UN 3481) can be loaded on passenger aircraft; spare batteries must be individually packaged per pure battery standards (single-cell energy ≤100Wh);
• Sea shipping: Equipment containing batteries can be transported as ordinary goods without dangerous goods declaration, but must be accompanied by MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and meet collision prevention packaging requirements.

II. Country-Specific Breakdown: Differentiated Requirements for Air and Sea Shipping (2024 Updated)

Based on their own safety prevention and industrial policies, different countries have added exclusive restrictive clauses to the general rules of air and sea shipping. Below are the core differences for high-frequency foreign trade destinations:

(I) United States: Policy-Oriented Control, Stricter Air Shipping Restrictions

U.S. control over battery transport focuses on “safety certification + policy bans,” with air shipping restrictions far exceeding those of sea shipping:

1. Core Air Shipping Requirements (IATA DGR + US DOT Rules)

• Prohibition Red Lines:
• Lithium-ion batteries with single-cell energy ＞100Wh are prohibited from air shipping (regardless of cargo/passenger aircraft);
• Lithium metal batteries (UN 3090) are fully prohibited from air and land transport, and can only be imported by sea;
• Batteries not certified by UL (UL 1642/2054) or registered with the FDA are prohibited from entering via air shipping.
• Declaration and Packaging:
• Must submit Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) + copy of UL certification + UN 38.3 test report;
• Pure battery packaging must be labeled “Cargo Aircraft Only” with IATA certification marks on outer cartons;
• No more than 10 pure batteries per carton; spare batteries must be individually packaged and labeled “Spare Battery.”

2. Core Sea Shipping Requirements (IMDG Code + CBP Rules)

• Prohibition Red Lines: No explicit energy restrictions; only damaged/leaking batteries are prohibited;
• Declaration and Packaging:
• Submit dangerous goods declaration through the Automated Manifest System (AMS) 48 hours before shipment;
• Pure batteries use UN 1486 certified packaging, with outer cartons labeled UN 3480, Class 9, and “Lithium Ion Battery”;
• UL certification is not required, but MSDS (compliant with ANSI Z400.1 standards) must be attached to the goods.
• Special Note: Sea shipping of energy storage batteries requires additional provision of “anti-dumping duty payment certificate” (tax rate: 48.4%), otherwise, goods may be detained.

Foreign Trade Practical Case

A company exported 100 lithium-ion batteries with single-cell energy of 120Wh to the U.S. via air shipping, resulting in detention by Los Angeles Airport Customs—violating the “single-cell energy ＞100Wh prohibition” rule. The goods were ultimately returned, causing losses of over 200,000 yuan in shipping and port detention fees. If sea shipping had been chosen, normal customs clearance could have been achieved through compliant declaration and UN-certified packaging.

(II) European Union: Dual Thresholds of Environmental Protection + Safety, New Carbon Footprint Requirements for Sea Shipping

EU control over battery transport focuses on “environmental compliance + transport safety.” Sea shipping has added carbon footprint requirements since 2024, while air shipping focuses on safety certification:

1. Core Air Shipping Requirements (IATA DGR + EU ADR Rules)

• Prohibition Red Lines:
• Lithium-ion batteries with single-cell energy ＞100Wh are prohibited from air shipping;
• Batteries not certified by CE (EN 62133 standard) are prohibited from entry;
• Airports in Germany and France require pure battery packaging to be equipped with real-time temperature monitoring labels (automatic alarm when exceeding 60℃).
• Declaration and Packaging:
• Must submit copy of CE certification + UN 38.3 test report + English MSDS;
• Spare batteries for equipment containing batteries must be individually packaged and labeled “Not Installed in Equipment”;
• Each shipment must be accompanied by the “EU Dangerous Goods Transport Compliance Declaration,” signed to confirm compliance with ADR rules.

2. Core Sea Shipping Requirements (IMDG Code + EU BPR Rules)

• Prohibition Red Lines:
• Since 2024, power batteries with carbon footprint exceeding 80kg CO₂eq/kWh are prohibited from entering via sea shipping;
• Batteries without the “EU battery recycling mark” are prohibited from import;
• Declaration and Packaging:
• Submit dangerous goods declaration through the EU Customs System (ICS) 48 hours before shipment, accompanied by a carbon footprint test report;
• Pure batteries use UN-certified packaging, with outer cartons labeled with recycling marks and carbon footprint values;
• Additional submission of electronic “Battery Passport” documents will be required from 2027, otherwise customs clearance will not be possible.
• Special Note: Ports in Spain and Italy have a high inspection rate for equipment containing batteries; ensure consistency between packaging labels and declaration information.

(III) Southeast Asia: Quota + Local Content Restrictions, High Dependence on Sea Shipping Quotas

Southeast Asian countries’ control over battery transport focuses on “industrial protection + safety prevention.” Sea shipping is significantly affected by quota restrictions, while air shipping has more limitations due to weak infrastructure:

1. Indonesia: Sea Shipping Quota-Driven, Almost Complete Ban on Pure Battery Air Shipping

• Air Shipping Requirements:
• Pure lithium-ion batteries (UN 3480) are fully prohibited from air shipping; only equipment containing batteries (e.g., mobile phones, power tools) is allowed;
• Air shipping of equipment containing batteries requires copy of SNI certification + special approval from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) (approval cycle: 2-3 weeks);
• Only 1 spare battery per device is allowed, with single-cell energy ≤100Wh.
• Sea Shipping Requirements:
• Annual quota application is required for pure lithium-ion battery imports (2024 quota is only 60% of 2023); insufficient quotas require waiting until the next year;
• Must meet the “30% local content requirement” (otherwise, a 20% additional tariff will be imposed);
• Declaration requires submission of quota certificate + SNI certification + UN 38.3 test report; packaging must be UN 1486 certified.

2. Malaysia: Lenient Air Shipping, Sea Shipping Requires Local Importer Endorsement

• Air Shipping Requirements:
• Pure lithium-ion batteries with single-cell energy ≤100Wh can be shipped by air (cargo aircraft), requiring SIRIM certification + English MSDS;
• No energy restrictions for equipment containing batteries; can be transported by passenger/cargo aircraft with packaging meeting collision prevention requirements.
• Sea Shipping Requirements:
• Sea shipping of pure batteries requires local Malaysian importers to apply for “dangerous goods import license” from customs in advance;
• Used and refurbished batteries are prohibited from sea shipping entry;
• Packaging must be labeled with SIRIM certification number, and outer cartons marked “Lithium Ion Battery, UN 3480.”

(IV) Japan: Strict Technical Standards, PSE Certification Required for Both Air and Sea Shipping

Japan’s control over battery transport focuses on “technical compliance + labeling specifications.” Certification requirements are consistent for air and sea shipping, but there are differences in packaging and declaration details:

1. Core Air Shipping Requirements (IATA DGR + JIS Rules)

• Prohibition Red Lines:
• Lithium-ion batteries with single-cell energy ＞100Wh are prohibited from air shipping;
• Batteries not certified by PSE (JIS C 8712 standard) are prohibited from entry;
• Batteries with falsely labeled capacity (deviation exceeding ±10%) will be detained.
• Declaration and Packaging:
• Must submit copy of PSE certification + Japanese MSDS + capacity test report;
• Pure battery packaging must use IATA-certified fireproof materials, with no more than 10 batteries per carton; electrodes must be wrapped with insulating tape and labeled “絶縁済み” (Insulated);
• Equipment containing batteries must be labeled with Japanese “電池付き機器” (Equipment with Batteries) on packaging to ensure batteries are securely fixed.

2. Core Sea Shipping Requirements (IMDG Code + Japanese Customs Rules)

• Prohibition Red Lines: No energy restrictions; only batteries exceeding mercury and cadmium limits are prohibited;
• Declaration and Packaging:
• Submit Japanese dangerous goods declaration form + copy of PSE certification 24 hours before shipment;
• Pure batteries use UN 1486 certified packaging, with outer cartons labeled UN 3480, Class 9, and Japanese safety warnings;
• Capacity test report is not required, but product specifications must be available for customs inspection verification.

(V) Middle East: High-Temperature Adaptation Requirements, More Complex Air Shipping Approval

Due to high-temperature environments, Middle Eastern countries have prominent “high-temperature adaptability” requirements for battery transport, with air shipping approval cycles longer than sea shipping:

1. Saudi Arabia: Air Shipping Requires SASO Certification + High-Temperature Testing, Sea Shipping Relatively Lenient

• Air Shipping Requirements:
• All batteries must pass SASO certification + high-temperature environment test (normal operation above 50℃);
• Pure lithium-ion batteries can only be shipped by cargo aircraft; advance application for “dangerous goods transport license” from Saudi Civil Aviation Authority is required (approval cycle: 4-6 weeks);
• Packaging must be made of high-temperature resistant materials, with outer cartons labeled “-20℃~60℃ Applicable.”
• Sea Shipping Requirements:
• Must submit copy of SASO certification + Arabic MSDS;
• Pure batteries use UN-certified packaging; high-temperature test report is not required, but “high-temperature resistant” label must be affixed;
• Port customs focus on verifying certification authenticity, with an inspection rate of approximately 20%.

2. United Arab Emirates: Air Shipping Requires ESMA Certification, Sea Shipping Requires Additional Customs Clearance Guarantee

• Air Shipping Requirements:
• Batteries must pass ESMA certification; pure lithium-ion batteries with single-cell energy ≤100Wh can be shipped by cargo aircraft;
• Equipment containing batteries must be labeled “Contains Lithium Battery” and ESMA certification number;
• Declaration requires submission of ESMA certification + English MSDS, with an approval cycle of 2-3 weeks.
• Sea Shipping Requirements:
• Local customs broker must provide “dangerous goods customs clearance guarantee” to confirm cargo compliance;
• Pure batteries use UN 1486 certified packaging, with outer cartons labeled ESMA certification number;
• High-temperature test report is not required, but “high-temperature environment adaptability” clause must be specified in MSDS.

III. Practical Guide: Selection Logic and Compliance Tips for Air vs. Sea Shipping

(I) How to Choose: Precise Matching Based on Order Scenarios

(II) Compliance Tips: Key Points to Avoid Pitfalls for Air and Sea Shipping

1. Three Key Points for Air Shipping Pitfall Avoidance

• Accurate Energy Calculation: Strictly calculate per “single-cell energy = voltage × capacity (Ah)”; prohibit “underreporting energy” (e.g., declaring 120Wh as 90Wh). Airports in the U.S. and EU are equipped with professional testing equipment;
• Reliable Packaging Certification: Pure batteries must use IATA-certified packaging (outer cartons printed with “IATA Dangerous Goods Packaging” logo); reject simple packaging of ordinary cartons + foam;
• Consistent Declaration Information: Battery type, UN number, and energy parameters in bills of lading, packing lists, and DGD declarations must be completely consistent to avoid inspection due to “information contradictions.”

2. Three Key Points for Sea Shipping Pitfall Avoidance

• Advance Quota and License Application: For countries with quota requirements such as Indonesia and Malaysia, apply for import quotas 3 months in advance to avoid exhausted quotas after goods arrive at ports;
• Complete Packaging Labels: Outer cartons must be labeled with UN number, hazard class, battery type, and English warning signs—missing any will result in detention (port customs often use “incomplete labeling” as a reason);
• Carbon Footprint and Environmental Documents: For power batteries exported to the EU and U.S., prepare carbon footprint test reports in advance. These must be attached to goods for sea shipping after 2024 to avoid customs clearance delays.

3. General Pitfall Avoidance Tips

• Prepare Certification Documents in Advance: Regardless of air or sea shipping, UN 38.3 test reports, MSDS, and destination-specific certifications (UL/CE/PSE, etc.) must be prepared in advance and reused within their validity periods;
• Clarify Compliance Clauses in Contracts: Stipulate that “liability for customs clearance failure due to non-compliant transport methods with destination rules shall be borne by the buyer” or “jointly negotiated by both parties” to avoid subsequent disputes;