In short
- There is no single "lithium battery" entry. The rules sort them by chemistry and by how they travel: cells alone, batteries alone, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment.
- UN38.3 is the test series every design type must pass, and the test summary is the document carriers ask for first.
- Two practical thresholds matter constantly: whether a cell or battery falls under the small-capacity exceptions, and whether equipment is packed with or containing the cells.
Four numbers, four situations
| UN number | What it covers | Typical case |
|---|---|---|
| UN3480 | Lithium ion batteries shipped alone | Bare packs or cells in a carton, not installed in anything |
| UN3481 | Lithium ion batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment | Devices with cells fitted, or spares shipped alongside |
| UN3090 | Lithium metal batteries shipped alone | Primary cells such as button cells in bulk |
| UN3091 | Lithium metal batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment | Devices running on non-rechargeable lithium cells |
Fitted versus spare The same product can move under two different numbers depending on whether the cells are installed or shipped loose alongside. Fix that detail before the booking.
UN38.3: what it tests and why carriers ask
It is a design-type test series rather than a per-shipment test, and the summary is what proves the design was tested.
- The series subjects cells and batteries to altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact and overcharge (for rechargeable types), and forced discharge.
- Manufacturers issue a test summary; carriers normally ask for this rather than the full laboratory report.
- Small-capacity exceptions exist — below the applicable watt-hour or lithium-content thresholds, and with cell count limits, the shipment may qualify for reduced requirements.
- Even under exceptions, the goods are still class 9: labels, documentation and carrier acceptance still apply in reduced form.
Charging state and packaging change acceptance
- State of charge matters for cells shipped alone: carriers apply limits to how charged a battery may be, because charge level affects thermal runaway behaviour.
- Packaging must prevent short circuit — individual protection, separation of terminals, and inner packaging that survives the journey.
- Equipment must be secured against movement and protected from accidental activation during transit.
- Damaged or defective batteries are a different case entirely and are refused by most carriers; they must not be shipped under standard provisions.
Where shipments actually go wrong
- Declaring a device with a fitted battery as general cargo because "it is a machine, not a battery".
- Treating spare batteries bundled with equipment as part of the equipment rather than as UN3481 / UN3091.
- Relying on a test summary that covers a different cell model from the one actually shipped.
- Assuming the small-capacity exception applies without checking both the watt-hour threshold and the cell count limit.
Before booking Confirm three things: WH rating or lithium content, cells fitted or spare, and whether the test summary covers this exact design. Then book.
On the Indonesia side
- Lithium batteries remain dangerous goods at destination: unloading, storage and last-mile delivery follow the same class 9 handling rules.
- End-of-life and defective batteries are a separate regulatory matter in Indonesia and should not be mixed into a normal import.
- For equipment imports, the battery content can affect both classification and the declarations filed with customs.
Related pages
This page summarizes field practice and publicly available Indonesian import rules for general business reference only—it is not legal, customs, or pricing advice. Customs provisions, tariff rates, and licensing requirements keep changing, so the rules in force at the time and the official processing result always prevail. Wuhan Freedom International Logistics Co., Ltd. · Licensed PPJK in Indonesia · Jakarta / Semarang / Wuhan.