Must-Save for Foreign Trade Professionals: A Detailed Guide to Battery Transport Packaging, Certifications, and Destination Restrictions

In battery foreign trade business, “transport compliance” is a critical factor determining the success of orders. Unlike ordinary goods, batteries are classified as dangerous goods due to the risk of thermal runaway. Their packaging, certification, and destination access rules are interlocking—oversights in any link may result in detained goods, fines, return shipments, or even affect the enterprise’s subsequent market access qualifications. According to China Customs statistics, losses caused by compliance issues in China’s battery foreign trade exports exceeded 3 billion yuan in 2023, with 32% from non-compliant packaging, 29% from missing certifications, and 27% from insufficient understanding of destination restrictions. This article is tailored for foreign trade professionals, systematically sorting out battery transport packaging standards, essential certifications, and restrictions in key markets to form a actionable compliance manual.

I. Packaging Compliance: Precise Adaptation by Battery Type to Secure the Safety Bottom Line

The core requirement for battery packaging is to “isolate risks and prevent thermal runaway.” Packaging specifications vary significantly by battery type, and must strictly comply with the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) and specific requirements for corresponding transport methods (sea/air/land transport).

(I) Core Packaging Principles (Applicable to All Batteries)

1. Short-Circuit Prevention: Electrodes must be insulated to prohibit direct contact between positive and negative terminals (insulating tape can wrap electrodes or anti-static bags for sealing);
2. Collision Prevention: Single batteries must be individually packaged, with buffer materials (EPE foam, bubble wrap, flame-retardant foam) filled in gaps to avoid extrusion deformation during transport;
3. Leakage Prevention: Batteries containing electrolytes (e.g., lead-acid batteries) require leakage-proof packaging, placed upright with a “This Side Up” label;
4. Flame Retardancy: Packaging materials must have flame-retardant properties; flammable materials (e.g., ordinary cartons without flame-retardant coating) are prohibited;
5. Complete Labeling: Outer cartons must be affixed with corresponding labels (hazard class, UN number, orientation mark, emergency contact), with label size not less than 10cm×10cm, pasted firmly without obstruction.

(II) Detailed Packaging Specifications by Battery Type (High-Frequency Foreign Trade Scenarios)

(III) Foreign Trade Packaging Pitfall Avoidance Guide

1. Reject “Simplified Packaging”: Some foreign trade professionals directly pack multiple lithium batteries into ordinary cartons without individual insulation and buffering to save costs—such shipments will be 100% detained during customs inspections;
2. No Mismatched Labels: UN numbers must match battery types (e.g., pure lithium batteries cannot be labeled UN 3481). A foreign trade enterprise once labeled UN 3480 (pure lithium batteries) as UN 3481 (equipment containing batteries), resulting in a $250,000 fine from US Customs;
3. Certified Packaging Materials: Dangerous goods packaging for sea/air transport must be UN-certified products (outer cartons printed with “UN + number + packaging class”). Uncertified packaging will be deemed non-compliant even if protection measures are in place;
4. Weight Limits for Bulk Orders: Pure lithium batteries have a maximum gross weight of 30kg per carton for sea transport and 15kg per carton for air transport. Split packaging for bulk foreign trade shipments to avoid overweight rejection.

II. Certification Compliance: Precise Matching by Destination to Open Access Channels

Battery foreign trade certification requirements are strongly “destination-oriented”—each country/region has exclusive mandatory certifications. Missing any core certification will result in failed customs clearance. Below is a list of essential certifications and application key points for high-frequency foreign trade destinations.

(I) Globally Universal Core Certifications (Required for All Foreign Trade Orders)

1. UN 38.3 Test Report:

• Application Scenario: International transport of all lithium batteries (pure batteries, equipment containing batteries), a mandatory document for customs and carriers;
• Test Content: 8 core items including altitude simulation, thermal testing, vibration, impact, short circuit, overcharge, and forced discharge;
• Application Requirements: Issued by ISO 17025-accredited laboratories (e.g., SGS, TÜV Rheinland, Intertek), valid for 2 years. Re-testing required if product design or raw materials change;
• Foreign Trade Tip: Complete testing before shipment, attach a copy (stamped with enterprise seal) with goods to avoid customs clearance delays due to missing reports.

2. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):

• Application Scenario: All dangerous goods batteries (UN 3480, UN 3090, UN 2800, etc.);
• Core Requirements: Compliant with target country standards (e.g., ANSI Z400.1 for US exports, REACH for EU exports), including 16 sections (chemical and enterprise identification, hazard identification, composition information, first-aid measures, etc.);
• Foreign Trade Tip: MSDS must use the official language of the destination (e.g., Japanese for Japan exports, English + local language for EU exports) to avoid rejection due to language issues.

(II) Exclusive Certification List for High-Frequency Foreign Trade Destinations

(III) Foreign Trade Certification Pitfall Avoidance Guide

1. Certification-Product Consistency: Product model and specifications on certification documents must fully match actual exported products. A foreign trade enterprise once used UL certification for Model A batteries to export Model B products—goods were confiscated and the enterprise was blacklisted by US Customs;
2. Plan Certification Cycles in Advance: Certification processing takes 3-10 weeks. Avoid initiating certification near shipment to prevent order delays;
3. Reject “Agent-Issued Fake Certificates”: Some intermediaries claim “fast certification without testing”—such fake certificates are easily exposed during customs inspections with severe consequences;
4. Timely Certification Renewal: Most certifications are valid for 3-5 years, with regular standard updates (e.g., EU Battery Passport in 2027). Foreign trade professionals should establish a certification accounting book for timely renewal.

III. Destination Restrictions: Understand National “Red Lines” to Avoid Order Risks

Import restriction policies for batteries vary greatly by country/region. In addition to certification requirements, there are additional conditions such as quotas, prohibitions, and special declarations. Foreign trade professionals must clarify access rules for target markets before accepting orders.

(I) Restriction List for High-Frequency Foreign Trade Destinations (2024 Updated)

1. United States: Dual Restrictions of Policy + Safety

• Prohibition Red Lines:
• Importation of batteries without UL certification or FDA registration prohibited;
• Lithium metal batteries (UN 3090) prohibited for land and air transport;
• Government departments prohibited from purchasing products from 6 major Chinese battery enterprises including CATL and BYD (H.R.1166 Act);
• Energy storage batteries subject to 48.4% anti-dumping duty, essentially prohibiting low-cost products from entering.
• Foreign Trade Responses:
• Confirm if the customer is a government agency before accepting orders to avoid violating procurement bans;
• Prioritize sea transport for pure lithium batteries (many restrictions on cargo aircraft air transport), and complete Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) in advance;
• Accurately classify HS codes (starting with 8507) and reasonably use the “First Sale Rule” to reduce tariff costs.

2. European Union: Dual Thresholds of Environmental Protection + Compliance

• Prohibition Red Lines:
• Importation of power batteries without a Battery Passport prohibited from 2027;
• Importation of batteries with excessive carbon footprint (power batteries ＞80kg CO₂eq/kWh) prohibited;
• Comprehensive prohibition of batteries with lead content ＞0.01% or cadmium content ＞0.002%;
• Pure lithium batteries for land transport require ADR-certified vehicles with real-time temperature monitoring.
• Foreign Trade Responses:
• Connect with the EU Battery Passport Portal in advance to complete registration before 2027;
• Provide carbon footprint test reports (issued by EU-recognized institutions);
• Clarify environmental compliance costs to customers to avoid disputes over additional testing fees.

3. Southeast Asia: Quota + Local Content Restrictions

• Indonesia:
• Quota required for pure lithium battery imports (2024 quota is only 60% of 2023);
• Finished batteries not meeting “30% local content requirement” prohibited from participating in government project bidding;
• Lead-acid batteries subject to 20% import tariff.
• Malaysia:
• Comprehensive prohibition of used and refurbished batteries;
• Importation of equipment containing batteries requires “SIRIM certification + import license”.
• Foreign Trade Responses:
• Cooperate with local enterprises to build factories or purchase local raw materials to meet local content requirements;
• Apply for import quotas 3 months in advance to avoid order delays due to exhausted quotas;
• Clarify “quota risk” clauses in contracts, specifying solutions if customs clearance fails due to quota issues.

4. Japan: Dual Requirements of Technology + Labeling

• Prohibition Red Lines:
• Importation of batteries without PSE certification prohibited;
• Products with falsely labeled battery capacity (deviation exceeding ±10%) prohibited from sale;
• Comprehensive prohibition of mercury-containing batteries; cadmium-containing batteries require “toxic substance” warning labels.
• Foreign Trade Responses:
• Product labeling must include Japanese instructions (rated capacity, safety warnings, manufacturer information);
• Provide capacity test reports to ensure consistency between labeled and actual values;
• Select certification institutions with local agents in Japan to shorten PSE certification cycles.

5. Middle East: High-Temperature Adaptation + Certification Restrictions

• UAE:
• Batteries require ESMA certification and “high-temperature environment adaptability test report” (normal operation above 50℃);
• Special approval from the Civil Aviation Authority required for air transport of pure lithium batteries.
• Saudi Arabia:
• SASO certification is mandatory; uncertified products directly detained;
• Packaging must have high-temperature resistance (outer carton labeled “-20℃~60℃ Applicable”).
• Foreign Trade Responses:
• Consider high-temperature environments in product design and install heat dissipation devices;
• Complete SASO/ESMA certification in advance to avoid return shipments due to certification issues after goods arrive at ports.

(II) Foreign Trade Practical Skills for Destination Restrictions