Prohibition of Lithium Ion Batteries on Passenger Aircraft

Effective April 1, 2016 Lithium ion batteries (UN3480) that are stand alone that fall under packing instructions 965 are FORBIDDEN as cargo on passenger carrying aircrafts. They are to be transported on cargo carrying aircrafts only. The prohibition of these do not apply to lithium ion batteries packed with equipment or lithium ion batteries contained in equipment.

UN3480 PI 965 Section IA and IB (stand alone lithium ion batteries) are forbidden for carriage on a passenger carrying aircraft. All of these packages must have the CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY label in addition to any other markings and labels required by IATA. These lithium ion cells and batteries must be offered for transport at a state of charge that exceeds 30% of the rated design capacity.

UN3480 PI 965 Section II (stand alone lithium ion batteries) are forbidden for carriage on passenger carrying aircraft. All packages must have the CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY label in addition to any other markings and labels required by IATA. These lithium ion cells and batteries must not be offered for transport at a state of charge that exceeds 30% of the rated design capacity. A shipper is not permitted to offer for transport more than 1 package prepared according to Section II in any single consignment. Not more than 1 package that has been prepared in accordance with Section II PI 965 may be placed into an overpack. When the package is placed in an overpack, the lithium battery handling label and Cargo Aircraft Only label required by this packing instruction must be clearly visible or the label must be affixed on the outside of the overpack with the word “Overpack.”