Most freight forwarders say no to battery cargo. We built our business on it. As a Shenzhen forwarder shipping lithium batteries, power banks and energy storage systems weekly to North America and Europe, here is what you actually need to know — without the scare stories.
1. Which Batteries Can Ship?
- UN3480 — Lithium ion batteries (standalone)
- UN3481 — Lithium ion batteries packed with / contained in equipment
- UN3090 — Lithium metal batteries (standalone)
- UN3091 — Lithium metal batteries packed with / contained in equipment
2. The Documents You Need (We Handle These)
UN38.3 Test Report
Batteries must pass the UN38.3 transport safety tests (altitude, thermal, vibration, shock, short circuit, impact, overcharge). The test report is the foundation of every battery shipment — HSJY reviews it before booking.
MSDS / SDS
The Material Safety Data Sheet describes the battery chemistry and hazards. We review it for accuracy against the actual product.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
For DG-classified batteries, a shipper's declaration and correct container/packing certificate are required. We prepare the paperwork and book with carriers that accept battery cargo.
3. Sea vs Air: Which Should You Choose?
- Sea freight: the standard for volume battery cargo. Transit China → US West Coast 13–20 days, China → Europe 30–40 days. Cost-effective for full containers and regular LCL.
- Air freight: available for smaller shipments of batteries ≤30% SOC on approved carriers. China → USA 5–10 days. Higher cost, used for urgent restocks.
- Rail: limited acceptance of DG batteries — confirm with your forwarder before planning.
4. Costs: What to Expect
Battery cargo typically carries a premium over general cargo due to DG handling and carrier requirements. Sea freight premiums are usually modest; air freight premiums are significant. A precise quote needs: battery type (UN number), quantity, weight, dimensions, SOC and destination.
Send those details through our quote form and we'll reply within 24 hours with a fixed price for your specific battery cargo.
5. Common Mistakes Importers Make
- ❌ Using an expired UN38.3 report (they are valid for a limited period — check the date)
- ❌ Shipping batteries at high state of charge (rejected by carriers)
- ❌ Declaring batteries as "electronic goods" to save cost (leads to delays, fines and blacklisting)
- ❌ Mixing battery models without a consolidated test report
6. Why Ship Batteries with HSJY?
- 🔋 Weekly battery & DG capacity — we don't "check with the carrier", we know which lanes and lines accept what
- 📋 In-house UN38.3 and MSDS review before you pay a cent
- 🚢 Partner carriers with approved DG allocations to USA, Europe and Southeast Asia
- ⚖️ Honest classification — if your product is DG, we tell you straight and handle it properly (no shortcuts that get cargo seized)
Shipping Batteries or Energy Storage?
Tell us the UN number, weight and destination — get a fixed DG quote within 24 hours.
Get Free Quote