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Batteries alone often UN3480

Lithium-ion cells or packs shipped without equipment. This category often faces the strictest air controls.

Outer package holding separately protected batteries or cells, with no equipment inside.
Batteries or cells packed on their own. Schematic: batteries or cells alone in an outer package, each protected against short circuit and movement. Commonly UN 3480 (lithium-ion) or UN 3090 (lithium metal). Original schematic, not to scale.

In human terms

If the box contains only batteries (or cells) — not a laptop, tool, or device they power — you are usually in “batteries alone” territory. For lithium-ion, that is commonly UN3480.

Examples

  • Loose lithium-ion cells or battery packs for wholesale stock
  • Power banks shipped as standalone products
  • Spare batteries sold separately from devices
  • Battery modules without the host equipment

Mode notes

  • Air: Often SoC limits (e.g. ≤30% where applicable), possible CAO, stricter labels.
  • Sea: IMDG packing and documentation; frequently used for larger volumes.
  • Courier: Only if the carrier’s program accepts that battery type and packing.
Documents: Plan on UN 38.3 and SDS / MSDS from your side for review. We do not issue them.

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Disclaimer: Final acceptance depends on cargo specs, packing, route, carrier and destination requirements. We assist with review and DG declaration support; we do not guarantee carrier approval.

Standalone battery review

Data that changes the transport plan.

“Battery pack” is not enough. The following fields help separate a routine production shipment from an exception case.

  • Cell or battery model and chemistry
  • Rated capacity, nominal voltage and Watt-hours
  • Battery count and net battery weight per package
  • State of Charge for air planning
  • Normal / new condition versus damaged, defective or recalled
  • UN 38.3 test summary, SDS and packing photos

Common problems

Why standalone shipments are sent back for rework.

Power bank misdescription

A power bank is treated as a battery for transport—not as equipment merely because it charges other devices.

Model mismatch

The tendered model cannot be connected clearly to the supplied test summary or SDS.

Condition not disclosed

Used, swollen, damaged, defective or recalled batteries enter a very different restriction path.

Documents

Files to send with the enquiry

Documents

Standard document file

Standard file

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • UN 38.3 test summary
  • Safety data sheet (SDS)
  • Battery data
  • Packaging and label photos
  • DG declaration details
  • Importer details

Download the checklist (PDF, 1 page) Documents guidance

Anxin reviews documents supplied by the shipper and manufacturer; it does not issue UN 38.3 reports or SDS.
An electric bicycle with its battery mounted on the frame
A portable power bank connected to a smartphone
Warehouse with red racking and pallets of boxes

Shipping cells, packs, spares or power banks?

Send the model, Watt-hours, quantity, packing and route for a mode assessment.

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Condition is separate from configuration. Damaged, defective, recalled or untested batteries need a special-case review — they are not marketed as routine freight for this configuration. Open Battery Condition & Special-Case Review.
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