What labels need to be affixed to lithium batteries during maritime transportation?
The complete set of labels for the outer packaging of lithium batteries for sea transportation are divided into four categories: mandatory safety labels for legal requirements, essential storage and transportation warnings for sea transportation, customs declaration marks, and optional supplementary markings. These labels are applicable to both pure batteries and batteries built-in in devices.
I. Mandatory Legal Labels (All must be present, inspected by shipping companies and customs)
1. Class 9 9A Hazardous Goods Diamond Warning Mark
Specification: 100mm × 100mm diamond shape, white background with black stripes + damaged battery fire pattern, bottom number 9
Application: UN3480 (Independent finished lithium batteries), UN3481 (Batteries installed inside equipment), UN3090/3091 Lithium Metal Batteries all mandatory
2. Exclusive Rectangular UN Mark for Lithium Batteries (Mandatory under IMDG)
Style: Red diagonal border on a white background, battery fire pattern, printed with corresponding UN number
UN3480: Individual finished lithium batteries, power banks, bare battery cells
UN3481: Lithium batteries installed / integrated into equipment (laptops, power tools, lighting products)
Hard requirement: The label must print the 24-hour emergency contact number for dangerous goods, with a minimum size of 120 × 110mm, and be placed side by side with the 9-class diamond warning mark
II. Shipping-specific Storage and Transportation Warning Labels (All shipments must be affixed, necessary for container storage)
1. Upward Arrow: HIS SIDE UP (Handle with care, do not tip over) Lithium batteries must not be rolled or tipped over. The risk of shipping stacking and compression is high. Standard.
2. Anti-moisture and Waterproof Mark: Stay away from high-humidity environments to prevent water ingress and short circuiting and fire.
3. Away from heat sources, prohibited from direct sunlight: Containers at high temperatures are prone to cause battery bulging and thermal runaway.
4. Be careful of fragile items / Avoid impact: Docking and multi-layer stacking are prone to puncturing the battery cells.
5. Stack Limit Weight Mark (Mandatory for shipping pallets and full containers): Indicate the maximum allowable stacking weight of the container to avoid damage to the battery from the weight of the upper layer.
III. Cargo Information Label (Required for customs declaration, clearance, and warehouse identification, not a hazardous label but mandatory to print)
Outer box printing / clear adhesive: Large UN number (font ≥ 12mm)
Standard product names in Chinese and English: Lithium-ion batteries / Lithium-ion batteries
Battery parameters: Model, voltage, capacity, watt-hour Wh
Net weight, gross weight, dimensions of outer box
Production batch, production date
Item number (e.g.: 1/20, 5/20)
Shipper, consignee label, destination port
Export additional: Customs declaration code, 24-hour emergency contact number
IV. Simple Label Combination for Distinguishing Two Types of Finished Battery Products
1. UN3480: Independent finished lithium batteries (power banks, bulk battery packs for shipping) 9-class diamond warning mark + UN3480 rectangular lithium battery mark + Upward / Anti-moisture / Stack limit weight full set of warnings + Cargo label + Marine pollutant mark (as needed)
2. UN3481: Battery integrated finished products (laptops, power tools, lighting products) 9-class diamond warning mark + UN3481 rectangular lithium battery mark + Upward / Anti-moisture / Stack limit weight warning + Cargo label + Marine pollutant mark (as needed)
V. Key Specifications for Shipping Labels
Label material: Waterproof and salt-resistant industrial non-stick adhesive, does not fade or fall off for several months at sea
Application position: Flat surface of the box, complete and exposed label, no coverage by wrapping film
Pallet shipment: Each independent cardboard box must have a complete set of labels, not just the outer frame of the pallet
Container exterior: Four sides of the container body need to be posted large 9-class warning mark + large UN sign (font size above 65mm), used for inspection by the terminal crane
Shipping does not require air transport-specific "Only for Cargo Aircraft" label. This label is only used for air transportation
