China GB 31241-2022: Key Impact on Lithium Battery Shipments
To: All Valued Customers and Partners,
This notice serves to inform you of a critical regulatory update from China that directly impacts the international transportation of lithium-ion batteries and products containing them.
The new mandatory national standard, GB 31241-2022 "Safety Technical Specification for Lithium-ion Cells and Batteries Used in Portable Electronic Products," is now fully effective as of January 1, 2024, replacing the previous version GB 31241-2014. Crucially, the products within its scope are now subject to China Compulsory Certification (CCC).
Key Implications for Logistics and Transportation:
CCC Certification is Now Mandatory for Export:
Products such as lithium-ion batteries, battery packs, and power banks used in portable electronics (e.g., laptops, mobile phones, headphones, cameras) require CCC certification under the new standard. This certification is not only a market access requirement for China but is also a key document for proving product safety compliance during the export process. It may be requested to support Dangerous Goods Declarations for air freight (per IATA DGR) and ocean freight (per IMDG Code).
Enhanced Safety Testing Affects Transport Classification:
The revised standard introduces more stringent safety test requirements, including but not limited to thermal abuse, overcharge, crush, and vibration tests. This elevates the intrinsic safety of compliant batteries. From a transport perspective, while compliant batteries are still classified under Class 9 (Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods), their improved safety profile contributes to risk mitigation during handling and transit. Shippers must verify that their suppliers' batteries meet these updated standards.
Supply Chain Verification is Essential:
We strongly advise you to immediately contact your suppliers in China to confirm that the batteries in your purchased products have obtained CCC certification against GB 31241-2022. A transition period for certificate conversion is in effect until December 31, 2024. After this date, products without the updated certification may face production, customs clearance, and export barriers. Non-compliant or uncertified battery shipments are at high risk of being rejected during the dangerous goods acceptance process at origin.
How Your Freight Forwarder Can Assist:
Our role is to ensure your shipments move smoothly and in full compliance:
- Documentation Pre-check: We will highlight the need for and assist in verifying required battery compliance documentation during the booking process.
- Regulatory Guidance: We provide expertise on transport classification, packaging instructions (PI 965-970), and marking/labeling requirements for lithium battery shipments.
- Streamlined Declarations: We ensure harmony between your product certification data and the information declared for transport (e.g., UN number, Proper Shipping Name), facilitating seamless customs and carrier dangerous goods approval.
Recommended Action:
Please initiate a review with your product suppliers to validate the certification status of the lithium batteries in your supply chain. For future orders, specify batteries compliant with GB 31241-2022. When planning shipments containing these products, engage with us early to allow sufficient time for compliance verification and transport preparation.