Lithium-based batteries for disposal are forbidden from air transport unless approved by the appropriate authorities. Each shipping package must withstand a 1.2 meter (4 feet) drop in any orientation without damaging the batteries, causing them to shift or releasing the contents.
The transportation of lead acid batteries by road, sea and air is heavily regulated in most countries. Lead acid is defined by United Nations numbers as either: The definition of ‘non-spillable’ is important. A battery that is sealed is not necessarily non-spillable.
Effective 1 January 2015, lithium metal batteries will be restricted to cargo aircraft only. This only applies when shipping lithium metal batteries by themselves. Batteries packed with or contained in equipment can continue to be shipped on passenger aircraft. Cells and battery packs must be packed in a rigid outer packaging.
Larger Lithium batteries (1 kg or more) can also be distinguished from the more common lead acid batteries by their weight. Lithium batteries are much lighter than the equivalent sized lead acid batteries.
Batteries identified as defective and in danger of failing in transport are forbidden. Lithium-based batteries for disposal are forbidden from air transport unless approved by the appropriate authorities.
Safety is an ongoing concern, and an airline-pilot association asked the FAA to ban lithium batteries on passenger aircraft. This came into effect in 2016 and lithium batteries are now shipped in cargo airplanes only. Lithium batteries can only be transported after passing UN 38.3 testing requirements.
Lead-acid batteries rely primarily on lead and sulfuric acid to function and are one of the oldest batteries in existence. At its heart, the battery contains two types of plates: a lead dioxide (PbO2) plate, which serves as the positive plate, and a …