Battery Shipping Packaging
If you’re looking for battery packaging, there are a few choices that stand out. Following current regulations should not come at the cost of packing quality, so choose wisely. Lithium-ion batteries have a lot of nuances associated with their shipping, with the packaging being a small part of it. Instead of getting wrapped up in a small part of the process, get familiar with the entirety of it.
Are you aware of the potential dangers posed by incorrectly packaging lithium-ion batteries? This is why they are classified as hazardous materials when shipping. Size factors into whether this is mandatory labeling, but chances are you will need to mark it as dangerous goods. Beyond the safety regulations attached to doing so, you want to also ensure that the packages are handled correctly.
There are four different states you can classify lithium batteries in before shipping. Series, prototype, waste and defective. Each battery state has its own packaging classification, and there are some extreme restrictions on specific ones. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can’t be transported by air, so you’ll have to look elsewhere for quick transport.
Ground service is the most common transportation of all lithium-ion battery states. Packaging relies heavily on correctly labeling, weight and associated materials. If you plan on packing the batteries with compatible equipment, the guidelines change. The important thing is to get all of the paperwork correct and to make sure that everything can be accounted for before sealing up the package.
Air, road, rail, and sea are all options for transporting lithium-ion batteries. You can’t use the same packaging for any type of run, so road will always be different from air. The same applies to the sea, where it will have completely different packaging than rail. This is why it is important to plan for packaging ahead since repackaging can be quite costly. It’s not just the materials that hit the bottom line when dealing with multiple lithium ion battery shipments. Companies that are used to one way of shipping are more likely to make a mistake when switching packaging methods.
An overpack is possible with some lithium battery shipments. Not only do overpacks save space, but they can be essential in keeping paperwork streamlined instead of cluttered. When the option presents itself to cut the number of physical packages in half, then it is smart to do so. Not all lithium ion battery shipments can be consolidated by using the overpack method. You still have to be within compliance, and for some shipments that aren’t possible with an overpack.
Lithium-ion batteries follow a regulated packing process and will always have extra eyes on them. How well you handle the packaging of lithium-ion batteries will come down to your understanding of the materials. There is a right way, and there is a quick and sloppy way. Doing it right the first time will prevent you from spending extra money on correcting previous mistakes.