Search

Lithium Battery State of Charge Limits in 2025 and 2026

Posted on 10/21/2024 by Lion Technology Inc.

Lithium Batteries: IATA Rules and Recommendations for 2025, 2026

For the 2025 Edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA added new recommendations related to lithium ion batteries in air transportation. IATA now recommends that shippers of lithium-ion batteries packed in or with equipment (UN 3481), or in vehicles (UN 3556), abide by a limit on state-of-charge in air transportation.

Effective January 1, 2026, some of the currently recommended state-of-charge limits become mandatory requirements. A 30% state-of-charge limit already applies to lithium batteries shipped alone by air (UN 3480). 

Lithium Battery State of Charge Limits in 2025 and 2026

Recommended Limits for 2025

As of this year, the IATA DGR recommends that shipments of the following be offered for transport at a state of charge not exceeding 30% of their rated design capacity:

  • UN 3481, lithium ion batteries packed with equipment  
  • UN 3481, lithium ion batteries contained in equipment * 
  • UN 3556, Vehicle, lithium ion battery powered * 

* An "indicated battery capacity" not exceeding 25% is also acceptable. 

Mandatory Limits in Effect January 1, 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, shipments of the following must be offered for transport at a state of charge not exceeding 30% of their rated design capacity: 

  • UN 3481, lithium ion batteries packed with equipment where the cells/batteries have a Watt-hour rating greater than 2.7 Wh. 

Starting January 1, 2026, shipments of the following must be offered for transport at a state of charge not exceeding 30% of their rated design capacity or an indicated battery capacity not exceeding 25%:  

  • UN 3556, Vehicle, lithium ion battery powered where the battery has a Watt-hour rating greater than 100 Wh. 

While the mandatory limits apply to some lithium battery shipments only starting in 2026, IATA will continue to recommend that all shipments referenced above be offered a state of charge not exceeding 30%.

The official summary of significant changes to the IATA DGR for 2025 is available. IATA Packing Instructions (PI) 965, 966, and 967 for lithium ion battery shipments were updated to reflect the new recommendations (and 2026 requirements):

Significant Changes and Amendments in the 66th Edition DGR (2025)
New: Significant Changes and Amendments in the 67th Edition DGR (2026) 


Online Training to Ship Lithium Batteries shipping lithium batteries online training hazmat training

The Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course provides hazmat general awareness, security awareness, and function-specific training to help satisfy US DOT (49 CFR), IATA DGR, and IMDG Code training mandates for logistics leaders and hazmat employees involved in shipping lithium batteries by ground, air, and/or vessel. 
 

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

As always, Lion never disappoints

Paul Resley

Environmental Coordinator

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Decrease spill, release, and injury risk and increase savings with these "source reduction" strategies to prevent unused chemicals from becoming regulated as hazardous waste.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.