{
  "name": "Lithium battery shipping limits (49 CFR 173.185)",
  "description": "Watt-hour and lithium-content thresholds, quantity limits and packaging conditions for shipping lithium cells and batteries under US hazardous materials regulations. Deliberately NOT a compatibility table \u2014 this is regulatory prose with numeric triggers, and it tests whether the pipeline handles a non-tabular asset.",
  "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/",
  "licence": "Public domain (US Government, eCFR)",
  "last_verified": "2026-08-03",
  "stale_after": "2027-01-30",
  "sources": [
    "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185"
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "provision": "(c)(1)(i)",
      "applies_to": "a package containing lithium cells or batteries, or lithium cells or batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment",
      "threshold": "20 Wh",
      "requirement": "The Watt-hour (Wh) rating may not exceed 20 Wh for a lithium ion cell",
      "id": "a-package-containing-lithium-cells-or-batteries-or-lithium-cells-or-batteries-pa-c-1-i",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/a-package-containing-lithium-cells-or-batteries-or-lithium-cells-or-batteries-pa-c-1-i/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( i ) The Watt-hour (Wh) rating may not exceed 20 Wh for a lithium ion cell or 100 Wh for a lithium ion battery."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(6)",
      "applies_to": "cell or battery prepared for transport",
      "threshold": "35 kg",
      "requirement": "may have a mass exceeding 35 kg gross weight when transported by cargo-only aircraft",
      "id": "cell-or-battery-prepared-for-transport-6",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/cell-or-battery-prepared-for-transport-6/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( 6 ) Irrespective of the limit specified in Column (9B) of the <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-172.101> \u00a7 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table, the cell or battery prepared for transport in accordance with this paragraph may have a mass exceeding 35 kg gross weight when transported by cargo-only aircraft;"
    },
    {
      "provision": "(5)",
      "applies_to": "each lithium ion battery",
      "threshold": "0 Wh",
      "requirement": "each lithium ion battery must be marked with the Watt-hour rating on the outside case.",
      "id": "each-lithium-ion-battery-5",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/each-lithium-ion-battery-5/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( 5 ) Beginning May 10, 2024, each lithium ion battery must be marked with the Watt-hour rating on the outside case."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(b)(3)(vii)",
      "applies_to": "each package",
      "threshold": "30 kg",
      "requirement": "Each package must not exceed 30 kg (66 pounds) gross weight",
      "id": "each-package-b-3-vii",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/each-package-b-3-vii/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( vii ) Except when lithium cells or batteries are packed with, or contained in, equipment, each package must not exceed 30 kg (66 pounds) gross weight."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(5)",
      "applies_to": "Lithium batteries, including lithium batteries contained in equipment",
      "threshold": "12 kg (26.5 pounds)",
      "requirement": "may be packed in strong outer packagings, in protective enclosures (for example, in fully enclosed or wooden slatted crates), or on pallets or other handling devices, instead of packages meeting the UN performance packaging requirements",
      "id": "lithium-batteries-including-lithium-batteries-contained-in-equipment-5",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/lithium-batteries-including-lithium-batteries-contained-in-equipment-5/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( 5 ) Lithium batteries, including lithium batteries contained in equipment, that weigh 12 kg (26.5 pounds) or more and have a strong, impact-resistant outer casing, may be packed in strong outer packagings, in protective enclosures (for example, in fully enclosed or wooden slatted crates), or on pallets or other handling devices, instead of packages meeting the UN performance packaging requirements in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185#p-173.185(b)(3)(ii)> paragraphs (b)(3)(ii) and <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185#p-173.185(b)(3)(iii)> (iii) of this section."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(c)(3)(i)",
      "applies_to": "lithium battery mark",
      "requirement": "The package must display the lithium battery mark.",
      "id": "lithium-battery-mark-c-3-i",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/lithium-battery-mark-c-3-i/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "The number of cells or batteries in each package is limited to the minimum number required to power the piece of equipment, plus two spare sets, and the total net quantity (mass) of the lithium cells or batteries in the completed package must not exceed 5 kg."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(c)(4)(i)",
      "applies_to": "lithium cells or batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment",
      "threshold": "5 kg",
      "requirement": "The total net quantity (mass) of the lithium cells or batteries in the completed package must not exceed 5 kg.",
      "id": "lithium-cells-or-batteries-packed-with-or-contained-in-equipment-c-4-i",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/lithium-cells-or-batteries-packed-with-or-contained-in-equipment-c-4-i/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "The number of cells or batteries in each package is limited to the minimum number required to power the piece of equipment, plus two spare sets, and the total net quantity (mass) of the lithium cells or batteries in the completed package must not exceed 5 kg."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(b)(3)(i)",
      "applies_to": "lithium ion battery",
      "threshold": "100 Wh",
      "requirement": "The Watt-hour (Wh) rating may not exceed 100 Wh",
      "id": "lithium-ion-battery-b-3-i",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/lithium-ion-battery-b-3-i/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( i ) The Watt-hour (Wh) rating may not exceed 20 Wh for a lithium ion cell or 100 Wh for a lithium ion battery. After December 31, 2015, each lithium ion battery subject to this provision must be marked with the Watt-hour rating on the outside case."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(b)(3)(i)",
      "applies_to": "lithium ion cell",
      "threshold": "20 Wh",
      "requirement": "The Watt-hour (Wh) rating may not exceed 20 Wh",
      "id": "lithium-ion-cell-b-3-i",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/lithium-ion-cell-b-3-i/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( i ) The Watt-hour (Wh) rating may not exceed 20 Wh for a lithium ion cell or 100 Wh for a lithium ion battery. After December 31, 2015, each lithium ion battery subject to this provision must be marked with the Watt-hour rating on the outside case."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(b)(3)(ii)",
      "applies_to": "lithium metal battery",
      "threshold": "2 g",
      "requirement": "The lithium content may not exceed 2 g",
      "id": "lithium-metal-battery-b-3-ii",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/lithium-metal-battery-b-3-ii/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( ii ) The lithium content may not exceed 1 g for a lithium metal cell or 2 g for a lithium metal battery."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(b)(3)(ii)",
      "applies_to": "lithium metal cell",
      "threshold": "1 g",
      "requirement": "The lithium content may not exceed 1 g",
      "id": "lithium-metal-cell-b-3-ii",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/lithium-metal-cell-b-3-ii/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "( ii ) The lithium content may not exceed 1 g for a lithium metal cell or 2 g for a lithium metal battery."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(c)(5)(ii)",
      "applies_to": "packages",
      "threshold": "3 meters",
      "requirement": "Each package must be capable of withstanding, without damage to the cells or batteries contained therein and without any reduction of effectiveness, a force applied to the top surface equivalent to the total weight of identical packages stacked to a height of 3 meters (including the test sample) for a duration of 24 hours.",
      "id": "packages-c-5-ii",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/packages-c-5-ii/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "Each package must be capable of withstanding, without damage to the cells or batteries contained therein and without any reduction of effectiveness, a force applied to the top surface equivalent to the total weight of identical packages stacked to a height of 3 meters (including the test sample) for a duration of 24 hours."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(c)(5)(i)",
      "applies_to": "packages prepared in accordance with the size limits in paragraph (c)(1)",
      "threshold": "2.5 kg lithium metal cells or batteries, or 10 kg lithium ion cells or batteries",
      "requirement": "A package containing no more than 2.5 kg lithium metal cells or batteries, or 10 kg lithium ion cells or batteries, is not subject to the UN performance packaging requirements in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, when the package displays both the lithium battery mark in paragraph (c)(3)(i) and the Class 9 Lithium Battery label specified in \u00a7 172.447 of this subchapter.",
      "id": "packages-prepared-in-accordance-with-the-size-limits-in-paragraph-c-1-c-5-i",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/packages-prepared-in-accordance-with-the-size-limits-in-paragraph-c-1-c-5-i/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "A package prepared in accordance with the size limits in paragraph (c)(1) is subject to all applicable requirements of this subchapter, except that a package containing no more than 2.5 kg lithium metal cells or batteries, or 10 kg lithium ion cells or batteries, is not subject to the UN performance packaging requirements in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185#p-173.185(b)(3)(ii)> paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, when the package displays both the lithium battery mark in paragraph (c)(3)(i) and the Class 9 Lithium Battery label specified in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-172.447> \u00a7 172.447 of this subchapter . This paragraph does not apply to batteries or cells packed with, or contained in, equipment."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(c)(4)(iv)",
      "applies_to": "persons who prepare a package for transport containing lithium cells or batteries, packed with, or contained in, equipment",
      "requirement": "Each person must receive instruction on these conditions and limitations, corresponding to their functions.",
      "id": "persons-who-prepare-a-package-for-transport-containing-lithium-cells-or-batterie-c-4-iv",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/persons-who-prepare-a-package-for-transport-containing-lithium-cells-or-batterie-c-4-iv/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "Each person who prepares a package for transport containing lithium cells or batteries, packed with, or contained in, equipment in accordance with the conditions and limitations of this <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185#p-173.185(c)(4)> paragraph (c)(4) , must receive instruction on these conditions and limitations, corresponding to their functions."
    },
    {
      "provision": "(c)(4)(iii)",
      "applies_to": "shipments with packages required to display the paragraph (c)(3)(i) lithium battery mark",
      "requirement": "Each shipment must include an indication on the air waybill of compliance with this paragraph (c)(4) (or the applicable ICAO Technical Instructions Packing Instruction).",
      "id": "shipments-with-packages-required-to-display-the-paragraph-c-3-i-lithium-battery--c-4-iii",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/lithium-battery-shipping-limits/shipments-with-packages-required-to-display-the-paragraph-c-3-i-lithium-battery--c-4-iii/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185",
      "source_quote": "Each shipment with packages required to display the paragraph (c)(3)(i) lithium battery mark must include an indication on the air waybill of compliance with this <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.185#p-173.185(c)(4)> paragraph (c)(4) (or the applicable ICAO Technical Instructions Packing Instruction), when an air waybill is used."
    }
  ]
}