Home / Logistics Knowledge / Battery UN Numbers: How Lithium and Other Batteries Are Classified
Batteries are regulated dangerous goods. The right UN number decides how your shipment is packed, declared, and accepted by airlines and carriers.
Every battery type that is regulated for transport carries a United Nations (UN) identification number. Carriers, airlines, and customs use this number to know the hazard class, packing instruction, and documentation required. Getting it wrong can get a shipment rejected at the origin warehouse or held at destination.
Lithium-ion cells and batteries are Class 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods under both IATA (air) and IMDG (sea) rules.
| UN number | What it covers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| UN3480 | Lithium-ion batteries shipped alone (not in or with equipment) | Loose battery stock, power banks |
| UN3481 | Lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment | Device plus separate battery in same package |
| UN3481 | Lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment | Battery built into the device |
Power banks and loose rechargeable packs are almost always UN3480.
| UN number | What it covers |
|---|---|
| UN3090 | Lithium metal batteries shipped alone |
| UN3091 | Lithium metal batteries packed with / contained in equipment |
These use metallic lithium and are typically primary (non-rechargeable) cells such as coin/button cells and some camera batteries.
| UN number | What it covers |
|---|---|
| UN2794 | Wet, spilled, containing liquid acid or alkali |
| UN2800 | Lead-acid, sealed, non-spillable |
| UN3496 | Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) / nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries |
| UN3028 | Dry charged batteries (cells) |
Sealed non-spillable lead-acid batteries (UN2800) are far easier to ship than traditional wet batteries (UN2794), which often require acid-resistant packaging and special handling.
Lithium-ion batteries are limited by watt-hour (Wh) rating; lithium metal by lithium content (grams). For air transport, single cells over 20 Wh or batteries over 100 Wh need stricter handling, and batteries above 160 Wh generally move as cargo only, not in passenger baggage. See our guide on calculating battery watt-hours.
A power bank is a lithium-ion battery shipped alone, so it is classified as UN3480 and must follow PI965.
Yes. A lithium battery contained in equipment is UN3481 (often Section II), still regulated but frequently eligible for simplified documentation.
Yes, under the IMDG Code. Sea transport has different packing and stowage rules but generally allows larger quantities than passenger air.
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