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IATA Updates Lithium Battery Guidance for Passengers

Posted on 4/13/2018 by Roger Marks

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released updated guidance this week for airline passengers who carry lithium battery-powered devices or spare lithium batteries aboard aircraft.

The new guide lists size limits for spare lithium batteries, batteries in electronic devices, and batteries in medical devices packed in both carry-on and checked luggage.

Get full dangerous goods training to ship lithium batteries by ground, air, or sea. The Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course covers the latest 49 CFR, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code rules you must know to prepare lithium-metal or lithium-on batteries for domestic or international transport. 

IATA’s updated 2018 document also includes requirements for spare lithium batteries, electronic cigarettes (i.e., e-cigs, vape pens) containing lithium batteries, and “smart luggage.”


Spare lithium batteries and e-cigarettes

Spare lithium batteries—which are prohibited in checked luggage—must be protected against short circuit. Travelers can protect lithium batteries by placing them inside the original retail packaging or a plastic bag. Or, passengers can insulate (i.e., cover) the battery terminals with tape.

“Vape pens” and e-cigarettes likewise are restricted to carry-on baggage only. Charging these devices in flight is not permitted, and passengers must “take measures to prevent accidental activation.” 


“Smart luggage” powered by lithium batteries  

“Smart luggage”—bags that contain lithium batteries for various applications during travel, i.e., geo-tracking, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi access, or charging other devices—pose a conundrum for airlines. 

Luggage-Blog.jpgTo check “smart luggage,” passengers must remove the lithium battery from the bag and carry it aboard the plane. Alternatively, passengers can carry the entire bag on board (if allowed).

From the new guidance document: “Baggage where the lithium battery is designed to charge other devices and cannot be removed is forbidden for carriage.”

See the full IATA lithium battery guidance document.


IATA DGR Hazmat Training

Join a Lion instructor live on May 1 for the IATA Air Shipper Certification Webinar. Build on your 40 CFR knowledge and learn the keys to compliance with IATA’s 2018 DGR for hazmat/dangerous goods air shipments. This expert-led training is designed to help satisfy the training requirement for DG air shippers at IATA DGR 1.5.
 


Shipping Lithium Batteries—Online or Live in North Jersey!

Full hazmat training to ship lithium batteries by ground, air, or vessel is now available as both an online course and an exclusive classroom workshop at Lion’s New Jersey Training Center. Meet US DOT, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code DG training rClass-9-Label-white-background-LITHIUM-BATTERIES.pngequirements and build the knowledge and skills to keep your shipments in compliance.



Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course

Train online anytime and benefit from exercises and interactive learning tools that help you retain what you learn. Build in-depth expertise on how to class, package, mark, label, loading, unload, and document lithium battery ground, air, and vessel shipments. Plus, get free lithium battery safety training at Lion.com when you enroll now!
 

Tags: DGR, IATA, lithium batteries, shipping lithium batteries

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