Lithium Batteries on Aircraft — Complete IATA Transport Guide
Everything you need to know about lithium batteries on aircraft.
Types of lithium batteries in aviation
| UN | Description | Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| UN3480 | Lithium ion batteries (stand-alone) | Cargo aircraft only — most restrictive |
| UN3481 | Lithium ion batteries contained in / packed with equipment | Permitted on passenger & cargo under PI |
| UN3090 | Lithium metal batteries (stand-alone) | Cargo aircraft only — most restrictive |
| UN3091 | Lithium metal batteries contained in / packed with equipment | Permitted on passenger & cargo under PI |
Passenger aircraft vs cargo aircraft restrictions
| UN Number | Passenger aircraft | Cargo aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| UN3480 | Forbidden as cargo | Allowed (PI965) |
| UN3481 | Allowed (PI966 / PI967) | Allowed (PI966 / PI967) |
| UN3090 | Forbidden as cargo | Allowed (PI968) |
| UN3091 | Allowed (PI969 / PI970) | Allowed (PI969 / PI970) |
IATA packing instructions for lithium batteries
- PI965 — UN3480 stand-alone lithium ion (cargo aircraft only).
- PI966 — UN3481 lithium ion packed with equipment.
- PI967 — UN3481 lithium ion contained in equipment.
- PI968 — UN3090 stand-alone lithium metal (cargo aircraft only).
- PI969 — UN3091 lithium metal packed with equipment.
- PI970 — UN3091 lithium metal contained in equipment.
Lithium batteries in MRO — common situations
- ELT batteries — emergency locator transmitter packs, typically lithium metal.
- Emergency equipment — flashlights, megaphones, portable medical devices.
- Tools — cordless drills, torque tools, diagnostic tablets.
- Spare parts — avionics LRUs containing memory backup batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can lithium batteries travel on passenger aircraft?
It depends on the UN number and the State and operator variations. Lithium batteries packed with or contained in equipment (UN3481 and UN3091) are generally permitted on passenger aircraft under specific packing instructions. Stand-alone lithium ion batteries (UN3480) and stand-alone lithium metal batteries (UN3090) are forbidden as cargo on passenger aircraft and must travel on cargo aircraft only, with limited exceptions for low-energy cells.
What is the difference between UN3480 and UN3481?
UN3480 covers lithium ion batteries shipped on their own. UN3481 covers lithium ion batteries that are either contained in equipment (e.g. installed in a tool or device) or packed with equipment in the same outer package. The same logic applies to lithium metal: UN3090 for stand-alone, UN3091 for in or with equipment.
Do lithium batteries require a DGD?
In most cases yes. Stand-alone lithium batteries shipped by air require a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods. Some Section II low-energy shipments under PI965 / PI968 are exempt from the DGD but still require lithium battery marking, handling labels and a fully trained shipper.
What is the watt-hour limit for lithium batteries on aircraft?
For lithium ion cells, common Section II / Section IB thresholds are 20 Wh per cell and 100 Wh per battery. Above 100 Wh, batteries fall under Section I with more restrictive packing instructions. Lithium metal batteries are limited by lithium content (1 g per cell, 2 g per battery) rather than watt-hours. Always confirm against the current IATA DGR edition.
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This information is provided for guidance only. Always verify against the current IATA DGR edition. Final DGD must be validated by a certified DG specialist.