Do not request an air-freight quote for “electronics with batteries” as if that were a complete commodity description. The first task is to identify the cell or battery, its chemistry and rating, whether it ships alone, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment, and whether the product and package meet the rule used by the airline and route.
The 2026 IATA guidance adds important state-of-charge controls for certain lithium-ion and sodium-ion configurations. Those changes do not create one universal rule for every battery shipment. The applicable UN number, packing instruction, section, quantity, aircraft limitation, and state variations must be determined for the actual product.
Start with the battery configuration
| Configuration question | Why it changes the plan |
|---|---|
| Lithium ion, lithium metal, or sodium ion? | Chemistry affects classification and the applicable transport provisions. |
| Cell or battery? | Ratings, quantity limits, and documentation may differ. |
| Shipped alone, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment? | Each configuration can map to a different UN number and packing instruction. |
| New, prototype, damaged, defective, waste, or recalled? | Special or prohibited handling may apply; ordinary commercial rules may not be available. |
| Watt-hour rating or lithium content? | The rating is a core input for classification and quantity limits. |
| Passenger or cargo aircraft route? | Some packages are restricted to cargo aircraft or face different limits. |
Do not infer these answers from a product photo. Obtain them from the manufacturer or responsible technical party and preserve the supporting records.
Build the evidence pack
A practical pre-booking file normally includes:
- manufacturer and exact model of the cell or battery;
- chemistry, nominal voltage, capacity, watt-hour rating, and battery mass;
- product model and the way the battery is installed or packed;
- UN 38.3 test summary for the specific battery type;
- current safety data or technical information where requested, while recognizing that an SDS is not a substitute for the UN 38.3 test summary;
- photographs or drawings showing terminals, inner packaging, cushioning, equipment protection, and outer packaging;
- package quantity, gross mass, dimensions, and number of packages;
- proposed UN number, proper shipping name, packing instruction, section, marks, labels, and declaration status, reviewed by a competent dangerous-goods professional;
- manufacturer and shipper contacts for technical questions.
If a supplier cannot connect the test summary to the battery model inside the product, stop the release and resolve the identity gap.
What changed for 2026 state of charge
IATA's 2026 guidance states that, from January 1, 2026, lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment and vehicles powered by lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries are to be offered for air transport at a reduced state of charge unless the relevant State authorities approve otherwise under the referenced provision. The exact application depends on the classification and packing instruction.
The operational response is not to write “30%” on every shipment. Instead:
- identify the exact battery configuration;
- determine the applicable 2026 packing instruction and section;
- confirm whether the reduced state-of-charge requirement applies;
- define how state of charge is measured, recorded, and controlled;
- obtain any required approval before the warehouse packs or offers the cargo;
- reconfirm airline and State variations for the selected route.
Packaging is a release control, not decoration
The package must protect against short circuit, unintended activation, movement, damage, and the specific hazards of the configuration. Terminal protection, equipment switches, cushioning, inner packaging, outer packaging, marks, labels, and documentation should be checked against one approved packing instruction.
A warehouse visual check can confirm that the approved method was followed. It does not replace dangerous-goods classification, testing, training, or carrier acceptance.
Obtain route-specific acceptance before dispatch
Airlines and States can impose variations beyond the baseline IATA rules. A booking request should include the evidence pack, origin and destination airports, transit points, number of packages, dimensions and weight, aircraft limitation, and requested schedule. Do not move the cargo to an airport merely because a general rate was quoted.
For small non-battery goods, compare the air small parcel workflow. For a route combining ocean and air legs, use the hybrid shipping decision guide and apply the dangerous-goods rules to every relevant leg.
Frequently asked questions
Is an SDS enough to ship lithium batteries by air?
No. An SDS can provide useful technical information, but it does not replace the UN 38.3 test summary or the classification, packing, marking, labeling, documentation, and acceptance work required for the shipment.
Do all lithium-ion batteries have to ship at 30% state of charge in 2026?
No. State-of-charge requirements depend on the battery configuration and applicable rule. The 2026 changes affect specified packed-with-equipment and vehicle configurations, among others. Check the current packing instruction and route variations.
Can a fulfillment warehouse decide the UN number?
The warehouse should work from a classification approved by the responsible technical and dangerous-goods parties. It can verify that the received model and packing work match the approved instruction, but it should not invent missing classification data.
What is the most common pre-booking failure?
A frequent control gap is an evidence pack that does not identify the exact battery model inside the product. Generic test reports, incomplete ratings, or mismatched model names prevent reliable classification and acceptance.
Does carrier acceptance guarantee customs or product compliance?
No. Air-transport acceptance addresses the carrier's transport requirements. Customs classification, import admissibility, product safety, and destination-market obligations remain separate.
Sources and verification links
Operational rules can change. Check the linked primary sources and confirm shipment-specific requirements before booking.