2026 HAZMATEAM LITHIUM AND SODIUM ION BATTERY SHIPPING GUIDE

Need help getting a lithium or sodium ion battery shipment out the door?    The 2026 HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Shipping Guide summarizes lithium and sodium ion battery classification, package marks/labels, documentation and packaging requirements.  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD the free HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Shipping Guide (pdf).  See the LITHIUM BATTERY TRANSPORTATION NEWS section below for significant 2025 - 2026 updates to the HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Shipping Guide.     NOTE:  Some browsers may not support downloads; if this happens try switching to another browser.   For best results use Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Watch the video to see how to use the Guide:


 

            

           Additional courses offered: Dangerous Goods / HAZMAT Shipping, HAZWOPER & Lab Safety

LITHIUM BATTERY TRAINING COURSES

Training is required if you prepare a shipment of lithium batteries for transportation. HAZMATEAM offers several online and classroom lithium battery courses. The course you need is dependent upon which lithium battery you ship, the size of the battery and mode of transport. The grid below summarizes the online and classroom Lithium Battery courses offered at Hazmateam.
 
Course Battery Type Sizes Modes Approx. Duration
Lithium Batteries Rechargeable &
Non-Rechargeable		  All Sizes Ground (49 CFR), Air (IATA) & Vessel (IMDG)   11 - 13 hours
Lithium Batteries Ground & Air Rechargeable & Non-Rechargeable  All Sizes Ground (49 CFR) & Air (IATA)   9 - 11 hours
Small Lithium & Sodium Ion Batteries Rechargeable & Non-Rechargeable Small & Medium Ground (49 CFR) & Air (IATA) 8 - 9 hours
Lithium Ion Batteries by Ground Rechargeable Fully Regulated Ground (49 CFR) 6 - 7 hours
Classroom 8-Hour Transportation of Lithium Batteries Rechargeable & Non-Rechargeable All Sizes Ground (49 CFR) & Air (IATA) 8 - hours

* We offer an 8-hour classroom version of TRANSPORATION OF LITHIUM METAL AND LITHIUM ION BATTERIES that addresses ground (49 CFR) and air (IATA) transportation at the HAZMATEAM Training Center in Hudson, NH.

LITHIUM AND SODIUM ION BATTERY TRANSPORTATION NEWS

February 13, 2026 UPDATE

10-FEB-2026 PROPOSED HARMONIZATION RULE ISSUED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER

US DOT PHMSA finally released the proposed Harmonization Rule in the  February 10, 2026 Federal Register.    The comment period ends on April 13, 2026 and the final rule is anticipated sometime in the summer of 2026.

This is not a final rule, but here are the anticipated significant updates to 49 CFR 171-180 with regards to shipping lithium and sodium ion batteries:

New Proper Shipping Names in the Hazardous Materials Table, 49 CFR 172.101:

UN 3551, Sodium Ion Batteries

UN 3552, Sodium Ion Batteries Contained in Equipment

UN 3552 , Sodium Ion Batteries Packed with Equipment

UN 3556, Vehicle, Lithium Ion Battery Powered

UN 3557, Vehicle, Lithium Metal Battery Powered

UN 3558, Vehicle, Sodium Ion Battery Powered

UN 3171, Battery-Powered Vehicle is to be replaced with UN 3556 and UN 3557, as appropriate.

These proper shipping names align with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and the IMDG Code.   

30 % STATE OF CHARGE / 25% INDICATED BATTERY CAPACITY

Special provision A100 will be updated to align with 2026 IATA DGR rules for battery maximum 30 % State of Charge / 25% indicated battery capacity.   The following entries will be subject to these limits when shipping air transportation:

UN 3481, Lithium Ion Batteries Packed with equipment (if battery watt hour rating > 2.7 Wh)

UN 3556, Vehicle, Lithium Ion Battery Powered (if > 100 Wh)

UN 3558, Vehicle, Sodium Ion Battery Powered (if > 100 Wh)

UN 3480, UN 3481, UN 3551, Shipped per SP A54 or if a prototype (including “…contained in…”).

Note: UN 3480, Lithium Ion Batteries (all battery sizes) are currently subject to the 30 % maximum SoC requirement per SP A100.

For lithium ion and sodium ion batteries not described above, the 30 % maximum state of charge / 25% maximum indicated battery capacity is recommended.

Batteries and cells with a reduced state of charge are less prone to thermal runaway.

SMALL AND MEDIUM BATTERY EXCEPTION

The proposed rule adds sodium ion batteries to the small battery exceptions in 49 CFR 173.185(c).   The sizes and exceptions for sodium ion batteries are identical to those of lithium ion batteries.     

Note IATA has no exceptions for UN 3551, Sodium Ion Batteries.  Per the IATA DGR,  all UN 3551 are fully regulated for air transport.   This conflicts with the proposed rule which allows for a small UN 3551 via all modes of transport.   Let’s see what the final rule looks like….

WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE FINAL RULE IS ISSUED?

Again, this is a proposed rule and the updates are not yet described in 49 CFR 171-180.   In the meantime, if you are shipping sodium ion batteries or battery powered vehicles, follow the 2024 DOT Notice of Enforcement Policy.  Per a December 9, 2024 Notice of Enforcement Policy, DOT PHMSA allows the use of international standards (IATA DGR, IMDG Code) to ship these items domestically until the final harmonization rule is published.

The HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Shipping Guide summarizes the current shipping requirements for all modes of transportation.    Once the final rule is issued, the HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Shipping Guide will be updated and available for download.

JANUARY 1, 2026 UPDATE

IATA DGR  67TH Edition Update

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 67TH Edition (2026) of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) took effect on January 1, 2026.   The Sodium Ion Battery and the battery powered vehicle proper shipping names were incorporated into 66th Edition (2025) of the IATA DGR.  

What is new for 2026 with regards to shipping lithium or sodium ion batteries:

30% Maximum State of Charge (SoC) / 25 % Maximum Indicated Battery Capacity

Beginning in 2026 for air transport, the following cells and batteries must not exceed a 30% State of Charge or 25% Indicated Battery Capacity:

  • UN 3481, Lithium Ion Batteries Packed with Equipment
    (if the watt hour rating exceeds 2.7 Wh)
  • UN 3556, Vehicle, Lithium Ion Battery Powered
    (if the watt hour rating exceeds 100 Wh)
  • UN 3556, Vehicle, Lithium Metal Battery Powered
    (if rechargeable and the watt hour rating exceeds 100 Wh)
  • UN 3557, Vehicle, Sodium Ion Battery Powered
    (f the watt hour rating exceeds 100 Wh)

Note:   All sizes of UN 3480, Lithium Ion Batteries and UN 3551, Sodium Ion Batteries are subject to the 30 % maximum state of charge limits starting in previous editions of the IATA DGR.

For all other lithium or sodium ion battery entries not described above, the 30% maximum SoC or 25% maximum indicated battery capacity is recommended.

The HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Shipping Guide summarizes these limits.

JUNE 2025 UPDATE

USPS PUBLICATION 52 Update (US Postal Service)

The US Postal Service updated Publication 52 ( Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail | Postal Explorer ) to address, most notably, the removal of the telephone number on the lithium battery handling mark.

Several typographical errors related to package marks and labels were identified in Publicaiton 52.  The US Postal Publication 52 Revision: Miscellaneous Policy Updates webpage outlines corrections to the postal hazmat regulations.   Most notably, the page describes correcting the text marking in 349.244 to reflect “secondary” and “lithium ion batteries” as well as removing the telephone number requirement in PI 9D.

Here is a link to the Postal Bulletin article  Publication 52 Revision: Miscellaneous Policy Updates outlining those corrections.  

USPS anticipates an update to Publication 52 in March of 2026 to incorporate these corrections.

The HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Shipping Guide summarizes the correct shipping requirements for shipping per the US Postal Service.

January 29, 2025 UPDATE

The 2025–2026 International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical Instructions) and Amendment 42-24 of the International Maritime Organization, International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) include several updates to lithium battery transportation regulations.    The 66th Edition (2025) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), which are based on the ICAO Technical Instruction, and Amendment 42-24 of the IMDG Code include the following:

  1. Adoption of a new battery chemistry, “Sodium Ion Batteries”.    These batteries are rechargeable and are similar to Lithium Ion Batteries.      There are 3 new shipping descriptions:

    1. UN 3551, Sodium Ion Batteries
    2. UN 3552, Sodium Ion Batteries Contained in Equipment
    3. UN 3552, Sodium Ion Batteries Packed with Equipment

For air and vessel transportation there are two sizes of batteries and cells:  “small” and “fully regulated”.     The sizes are based on the watt hour rating of the cell or battery.   Small cells have a watt hour rating no greater than 20 Wh and small batteries have a watt hour rating no greater than 100 Wh.   There is a noteworthy twist to all of this is for air transport of UN 3551, Sodium Ion Batteries (no equipment).  According to IATA PI 976, UN 3551 shipped air, there are no “small” cells and batteries.    Therefore, all UN 3551 cells and batteries shipped air transport, regardless of the watt hour rating, are “fully regulated”.

  1. Adoption of three new shipping descriptions for battery powered vehicles.     A “vehicle” is a self-propelled apparatus designed to carry one or more persons or goods.    The new shipping descriptions are:

    1. UN 3556, Vehicle, Lithium Ion Battery Powered
    2. UN 3557, Vehicle, Lithium Metal Battery Powered
    3. UN 3558, Vehicle, Sodium Ion Battery Powered 

These shipping descriptions are to be used instead of UN 3171, Battery-Powered Vehicle.   Although you may continue to use UN 3171 until 31-March 2025.

Most noteworthy battery powered vehicle updates are:

  1. Use of the “Class 9  Lithium or Sodium Ion Battery label”, instead of the “Class 9 label”.

  1.  For vessel transport, the exception for package marks/labels and placarding vehicles was eliminated in IMDG Amendment 42-24.      If a vehicle is packaged (the vehicle is not visible) and placed into a freight container, the package must be marked/labeled, and the freight container must be placarded.    This is described in updated IMDG special provisions 961 and 962.

  1. For air transport of UN 3556 and UN 3557, if the battery has a watt hour rating greater than 100 Wh, the battery state of charge should not exceed 30% of the rated design capacity or an indicated battery capacity not exceeding 25% capacity.   Effective 1-January 2026, “should not” will be replaced with “must not”.    This is described in IATA PI 952.

  1. Most notable updates to lithium ion batteries (UN 3480 and UN 3481) and lithium metal batteries (UN 3090 and UN 3091) are as follows:

  1. For air transport of all sizes of UN 3481, Lithium Ion Batteries Packed with Equipment, the battery state of charge should not exceed 30% of the rated design capacity.  Effective 1-January 2026, “should not” will be replaced with “must not”.    This is described in IATA PI 966.
  2. For air transport of all sizes of UN 3481, Lithium Ion Contained in Equipment, the battery state of charge should not exceed 30% of the rated design capacity.  This will remain a recommendation 1-January 2026.    This is described in IATA PI 967.
  3. For air transport of all sizes of UN 3481, Lithium Ion Batteries Contained in Equipment and UN 3091, Lithium Metal Batteries Contained in Equipment, the package must be capable of withstanding, without damage to the cells or batteries contained therein and without any reduction of effectiveness, a force applied to the top surface equivalent to the total weight of identical packages stacked to a height of 3 m (including the test sample) for a duration of 24 hours (the “stacking test”).    This is described in IATA PI 967 & 970.

These updates to the international regulations (ICAO/IATA & IMDG Code) have not yet been incorporated into 49 CFR 171-180.    However, according to a December 9, 2024 notice from PHMSA, if all or part of transportation is by air or vessel, PHMSA will allow use of these updated international rules.   For the full text of this notice please refer to:

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2024-12/Notice%20of%20Enforcement%20Policy%20Regarding%20International%20Standards%202024.pdf

As for ground transportation, DOT PHMSA has not made any updates to the lithium battery regulations.   Note that DOT PHMSA has not addressed ground shipments of Sodium ion batteries or the new battery powered vehicle shipping descriptions.    To ship Sodium Ion Batteries (UN 3551, UN 3552 or UN 3558), the December 9, 2024 PHMSA Notice allows the use of the IMDG Code for ground shipments.    As such, all of the ground shipping requirements in the HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Guide for sodium ion batteries are based on IMDG Code requirements.   Those who ship lithium ion or lithium metal battery powered vehicles should continue to use "UN 3171, Battery-Powered Vehicles" for ground only shipments until DOT PHMSA issues a final rule sometime in 2025 (mid year??).

DOT PHMSA does not anticipate release of any updates to 49 CFR in the foreseeable future.   Updates will likely occur sometime in mid-year 2025.         Stay tuned….

HAZMATEAM Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Shipping Guide Revision History

February 9, 2026 - IATA state of charge updates for UN 3481, UN 3556, UN 3556 and UN 3557.     Updates to USPS Publication 52 package marks and labels

January 29, 2025 - Sodium ion batteries (UN 3551 and UN 3552) and Vehicle, Lithium Ion Battery Powered (UN 3556), Vehicle, Lithium Metal Battery Powered (UN 3557) and Vehicle, Sodium Ion Battery Powered (UN 3558).

April 11, 2024 - Updated lithium battery handling marks (removal of telephone number) per DOT HM-215Q.   Also, emergency response information  (ERG Guide 147) was updated following the April 4, 2024 release of the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook.

January 1, 2024 - Addition of USPS hazmat rules.

January 19, 2023 - Correction to small UN 3091 air page

January 14, 2023 - Addition of activated tracking device rules; added a new OVERPACK guidance page; updates to the lithium battery handling mark; new markings according to 49 CFR 173.185 (c)(1)(iii)

January 1, 2022 - Removal of IATA PI 965/968 Section II

January 14, 2021 --- Emergency Response Guides information was updated to reflect the 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook.   A new “UN 3171, Battery-Powered Vehicle” section was added to the Guide.

January 3, 2020 --- Updated to reflect lithium battery test reports, use of the term ‘aggregate lithium content’ and segregation requirements if shipping per IATA PI 965 or 968.

March 18, 2019 … Updated to reflect HM-224I.  

October 21, 2018 ... Updated to reflect 2019 (60th Edition) IATA DGR and 2018, Amendment 39-18 of IMDG Code.  Shipping paper examples updated to reflect new IATA declaration format and hybrid battery description.

November 28, 2017 … Updated to reflect 2018 IATA DGR.   Sections added to the Guide: Package performance testing requirements and Emergency Response requirements.   We also doubled the number of shipping paper (BOL and declarations) examples and re-formatted the battery size definition sections for clarity.

March 31, 2017 … Incorporation of HM-215N following the re-release of the final rule on March 30, 2017.

March 15, 2017 … Incorporation of 27-Feb-2017 DOT Notice. Also, updated to clarify use of address labels on packages.

February 1, 2017… Removal of HM-215N requirements as a result of Regulatory Freeze executive memorandum

January 22, 2017…  Incorporated HM-215N DOT final rule

January 1, 2017 …Incorporated 2017 DOT, IMDG and IATA Updates

May 17, 2016 ... Incorporated 2016 ERG Guide pages; clarified scope of Guide; added disclaimer