I. Obtaining the Air Transport Identification Report for Consumer Electronic Batteries (Summary)
How do you obtain an air transport identification report for consumer electronic batteries? (UN38.3 / Civil Aviation) UN38.3 refers to Section 38.3 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, comprising 8 tests: T1 Altitude Simulation, T2 Thermal Test, T3 Vibration, T4 Shock, T5 External Short Circuit, T6 Impact/Crush, T7 Overcharge, and T8 Forced Discharge.
Requirements: Application form, specifications, packaging photos, 20+ samples, CNAS/CMA accredited laboratory; valid for 1 year. Air Transport Identification: Lithium batteries fall under Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods (UN3480 for lithium-ion batteries; UN3481 for batteries contained in/packed with equipment). Requirements: Application form, MSDS, UN38.3 report, product photos, packaging details.
Process: Review by a Civil Aviation-recognized agency based on IATA DGR standards; applicable to cargo and passenger aircraft; valid for one year. Dual reporting (UN38.3 + Air Transport Identification) is mandatory. Processing time: 2–3 working days (expedited: 6–24 hours).
Note: The 2026 IATA DGR (67th Edition) has tightened state-of-charge (SoC) regulations.
Key takeaways: UN38.3, Air Transport Identification, dual reports, CNAS/CMA accreditation, and IATA compliance.
II.
What is UN38.3?
How do you obtain an air transport identification report for consumer electronic batteries?
UN38.3 (Guangdong Energy Storage / Civil Aviation Administration).
Definition: Section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (part of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods). It is the core international standard for lithium battery transport safety, ensuring that transport poses no risk to personnel, property, or the environment. Valid test summary documentation is required for IATA/ICAO air transport and IMDG maritime transport.
Scope: Covers single cells, battery packs, batteries installed in equipment, and batteries packed with equipment (including lithium-ion, lithium-metal, and consumer batteries for mobile phones or laptops).
Testing: 8 items—T1 Altitude Simulation (11.6 kPa, 6 hours); T2 Thermal Cycling (75°C to -40°C, 10 cycles); T3 Vibration (7–200 Hz, 3 hours); T4 Shock (150g, 18 shocks); T5 External Short Circuit (55°C); T6 Impact/Crush; T7 Overcharge; T8 Forced Discharge. Failure in any test constitutes a total failure; retesting is required. Exemptions: Conditional exemptions exist for small-capacity cells (2.7 Wh) and lithium-metal cells (1 g);
refer to the latest IATA edition.
Report: Includes product name, model, battery type, rated parameters, test items, pass/fail status, agency information, and completion date (validity: 1 year). Application requirements: Application form, specifications, packaging photos, and 20+ samples;
testing performed by a CNAS/CMA-accredited lab (12 test items). UN38.3 Selection: Configure based on needs (cell/pack, installed in equipment, 8 tests) and report requirements (CNAS/CMA, 20 samples, 1-year validity).
III.
Air Transport Identification Report
How to obtain an air transport identification report for consumer electronic batteries?
(Reference: CCPIT/Sohu).
What it is: An air transport identification report (e.g., DGM Dangerous Goods Management) issued by an authorized agency after testing and assessment to confirm suitability for air transport. It is a mandatory document for airline booking, airport security screening, customs declaration, and dangerous goods declaration; without a compliant report, sensitive goods cannot be shipped by air.
Hazard Classification: Lithium batteries are Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods (UN3480 Lithium-ion batteries; UN3481 Lithium-ion batteries packed with/installed in equipment; UN3090 Lithium-metal batteries; UN3091 Lithium-metal batteries packed with/installed in equipment). Packaging must comply with IATA Packing Instructions 965–970.
Air Transport Classification Report: Complete the application form; provide the MSDS, UN38.3 report, product photos, and packaging details; submit to a CAAC-recognized agency. The agency reviews the submission against IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) to determine the classification (general cargo vs. restricted dangerous goods) and aircraft type (cargo-only vs. passenger aircraft);
the report is valid for one year. Dual Reporting: For lithium batteries, both the UN38.3 report and the air transport classification report are mandatory; missing either prevents shipment, and new regulations enforce strict inspections.
2026 Update: IATA DGR 67th Edition introduces strict limits on the State of Charge (SoC) for lithium batteries and updates requirements for packaging stacking tests, labeling, and MSDS versions; older reports will gradually become invalid.
Selecting the Classification Report: Configure based on specific needs (UN3480/UN3481, cargo/passenger aircraft, dual reporting) and ensure compliance with new regulations (IATA DGR 67, SoC limits, packaging stacking).
4. Application Process: How to obtain an air transport classification report for consumer electronic batteries?
(CCPIT/CAAC Second Research Institute).
Documentation: Business license, bilingual (CN/EN) MSDS, product specifications, composition ratio table, completed application form, UN38.3 test report (including specific battery parameters), and digital photos (clearly showing model labels and inner/outer packaging/unboxing views); specify the exact battery type (e.g., lithium-ion) and model name.
Agency Selection: Choose a legitimate laboratory recognized by the CAAC and registered with IATA; ensure the report is verifiable online and accepted by all airlines and airports;
avoid general testing agencies that issue invalid reports. Submission: Include UN38.3 test reports (covering 1.2m drop and 3m stacking tests); samples must match mass-produced goods; liquid/solid samples must meet weight and capacity standards.
Testing: Physicochemical analysis (flash point, corrosivity, flammability, magnetism) to determine transport conditions; standard turnaround is 3–5 working days (5–7 days for lithium batteries, subject to delays during peak logistics seasons); standard report collection in 2–3 days, with expedited options available (6–24 hours).
Verification—Ensure product name, hazard class, UN number, transport requirements, and customs declaration data match the shipping documents; ensure air transport certification is valid for the current year (re-testing required if crossing into a new year or if the chemical formula changes).
Process selection—Based on requirements (MSDS, specifications, UN38.3, CAAC-recognized agency, sample consistency) and turnaround time (lithium batteries: 5–7 working days; expedited: 6–24 hours; annual validity).
V.
How to Ensure Compliance
How do you obtain an air transport certification report for consumer electronic batteries?
How do you ensure compliance (CCPIT/CAAC/Sohu)?
Assess the cargo—Lithium batteries, lithium-containing products, power banks, Bluetooth headsets, laptops, power tools, and lithium battery packs (whether internal or external) require both air transport certification and a UN38.3 report.
UN38.3 requirements—8 tests (CNAS/CMA accredited), 20 samples, 1-year validity, and a test summary document.
Air transport certification—Issued by an IATA-registered agency recognized by the CAAC; reviewed according to IATA DGR; marked for cargo or passenger aircraft;
valid for the current year. Documentation—MSDS, UN38.3 report, specifications, and chemical composition ratios; clear identification of samples and battery models;
accurate cargo name and battery type. New regulations—2026 IATA DGR 67th Edition (State of Charge, packaging stacking, labeling, MSDS updates); old reports become invalid.
Compliance—QC (UN38.3 8 tests, air transport certification, dual reports, sample consistency, unified document information); standards (IATA DGR 67, ICAO TI, MH/T 1052-2025 CAAC, UN38.3); traceability (consistency across UN38.3 report, air transport certification, MSDS, customs declaration, and waybill). Tiered management—Dual air transport reports (UN38.3 + certification); Class 9 classification for lithium batteries;
quarterly reviews (IATA new regulations, formula changes) to optimize processing.
Conclusion
How do you obtain an air transport certification report for consumer electronic batteries?
In brief: UN38.3 (Core safety standard for lithium battery transport—Section 38.3 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods; meets IATA, ICAO, and IMDG requirements; includes 8 tests: T1 Altitude Simulation, T2 Thermal Test, T3 Vibration, T4 Shock, T5 External Short Circuit, T6 Impact/Crush, T7 Overcharge, T8 Forced Discharge; requires application form, specifications, packaging photos, and 20 samples; CNAS/CMA accredited; valid for 1 year) → Air Transport Identification Report (Mandatory document for airline booking, airport security screening, and customs declaration; covers Class 9 Dangerous Goods: UN3480 Li-ion, UN3481 Packed with/Contained in Equipment, UN3090 Lithium Metal; requires application form, MSDS, UN38.3 report, and product photos; issued by CAAC-recognized bodies based on IATA DGR for freighter/passenger aircraft transport; valid for one year; dual air transport reports required) → Processing Workflow (Required docs: business license, MSDS, specifications, material composition; testing at CAAC-recognized/IATA-registered labs; turnaround: 5–7 working days, or 6–24 hours for expedited service;
product name, hazard class, and UN number must match customs declaration and waybill) → Compliance (Covers power banks, Bluetooth headsets, laptops, and internal/external battery packs; updates for 2026 IATA DGR 67th Edition regarding state-of-charge limits, packaging stacking tests, and MSDS standards; samples must match mass-produced goods; document information must be consistent).
Key takeaways: UN38.3 certification, Air Transport Identification Report, dual reports, CNAS/CMA accreditation, and IATA compliance.
