You can ship lithium batteries – and the equipment containing them – in an ocean container, but the restrictions are getting tighter. So how do you know when you can ship lithium batteries in an ocean container?

From toothbrushes to Teslas, lithium batteries power countless items that support everyday life. The lithium-ion battery market was valued at $87.1 billion in 2025, according to Future Market Insights, and is projected to reach $377.6billion by 2035, a CAGR of 15.8%.

Unlike standard alkaline batteries, most lithium batteries manufactured today contain a chemical cocktail with incredibly high energy density that makes them hazardous to ship. And while all modes of transport remain possible, improper packaging or handling can cause lithium batteries to overheat and ignite – potentially resulting in large-scale thermal events with severe consequences.

Whether shipping a single battery, a palletized load of batteries, or a battery-powered device, the safety of the package – and those who handle it along the supply chain – depends on compliance with a stack of government regulations and carrier requirements.

Importantly, new, stricter regulatory requirements for transporting lithium-ion batteries in ocean containers are covered in the IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) code, which is developed and maintained by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These new requirements, which went into effect Jan 1, 2026, will be explained later in this article.

Lithium Ion vs. Lithium Metal

There are a number of “recipes” for lithium cells and batteries, but for transportation purposes, they all fall into one of two families: lithium ion or lithium metal. Both battery types are characterized by a higher concentration of energy than alkaline, nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride chemistries.

Lithium-ion batteries are generally rechargeable and found in devices like smartphones, tablets and electric vehicles.

Lithium metal batteries are generally non-rechargeable and one-time use, but have a longer life than standard alkaline batteries. They’re commonly used in hearing aids, wristwatches, smoke detectors and key fobs.

Both lithium-ion and lithium metal cells and batteries are hazardous to ship, and they’re subject to roughly the same regulatory requirements, depending on mode of transport (i.e., ocean vs. air).

Proper Packaging of Lithium Batteries in an Ocean Container

All lithium cells and batteries are considered Class 9 Dangerous Goods by the U.S. Department of Transportation, regardless of size or quantity. However, stand-alone batteries are of course packaged differently than smartphones or heavy machinery.

There are three key packaging categories, each with their own set of requirements from the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA):

Standalone. Packages containing only lithium cells/batteries must be:

• Protected against short circuiting.
• Placed in non-metallic inner packaging that completely encloses the cell or battery and separates them from contact with electrically conductive materials (e.g., metal).
• Packed to prevent shifting that could cause damage to the cells or batteries.

Packed with/contained in. Batteries shipped with or inside other equipment must adhere to all of the above, plus:

• Outer packaging must be made of a strong material like wood, fiberboard or rigid plastic that can endure a 1.2 meter drop without damage or shifting that might allow battery-to-battery contact.
• Equipment must be secured to prevent damage caused by shifting within the outer packaging, and be packed to prevent accidental operation during transport.

Vehicles. Lithium batteries contained in vehicles, engines or mechanical equipment must be securely fastened in the battery holder and protected against short circuits. Additionally:

• Other hazardous materials within the vehicle (e.g., compressed gas accumulators) must be securely installed.
• If the vehicle or machine might be tipped, laid on its side, tilted, or turned during transport, then it must be packed in a way that prevents movement or damage.

For many carriers, certain lithium batteries are totally off limits. Container shipping giant MSC will not allow customers to ship lithium batteries in an ocean container if they’ve been used or damaged. Meanwhile, CMACGM has banned shipment of electric and hybrid vehicles older than seven years.

In general, there has been an industry-wide shift toward tighter protocols and documentation checks for ocean freight with lithium or high‑voltage battery content due to the risk of dangerous fires onboard. Carriers are demanding more comprehensive safety data and test reports before acceptance.

Labeling

Shippers are responsible for ensuring that lithium cells and batteries are clearly identified and correctly labeled, or risk their freight being rejected.

On the outer packaging, carriers are looking for:

• Proper shipping name mark (e.g., “Lithium-ion batteries”)
• Class 9 Lithium Battery label
• UN identification number
• Consignee (shipper) or consignor (recipient) name and address

Shippers must also provide:

• Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)
• Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Battery Test Summary

Battery Test Summaries

Before leaving the factory, lithium batteries are subject to a series of tests that measure transportation impacts like heat, altitude, vibration and more. But until 2022, downstream shippers and consumers often struggled to confirm if or how these tests actually took place.

To address this issue, the DOT now requires manufacturers and distributors to provide “test summaries” to carriers using a standardized set of elements from the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria.

The requirement applies globally, and has been mandated by the International Maritime Organization since 2020. Formatting can vary by manufacturer, but the documentation must provide:

• Name of cell, battery or product manufacturer
• Manufacturer’s address, telephone number, email address and website
• Test laboratory’s name and contact information
• Unique test report identification number
• Date of test report
• Description of cell or battery containing:
  • Lithium-ion vs. lithium metal specification
  • Mass
  • Watt-hour rating
  • Physical description
• List of tests conducted and results (i.e., pass/fail)
• Reference to assembled battery testing requirements
• Reference to the edition of UN Manual of Tests and Criteria used
• Signature as an indication of the validity of information provided

New IMDG Requirements for Shipping Lithium Batteries in an Ocean Container

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, IMDG Amendment 42-24 significantly impacts U.S. importers of vehicles, engines and machinery containing lithium-ion batteries. Under the update, any products in these categories with lithium-ion, lithium-metal, or sodium-ion batteries can no longer be classified under UN3171, which previously covered a broad range of battery-powered vehicles. UN3171 will now apply only to vehicles powered by wet batteries, metallic sodium, or sodium-alloy batteries installed during transport.

This change is significant because it requires importers to reclassify shipments, update documentation, and ensure compliance with stricter lithium-ion transport regulations, including labeling, packaging, and dangerous goods declarations. Additionally, some carriers now mandate that containers be loaded by certified specialists rather than individuals, increasing oversight, compliance responsibility, and potentially logistics costs for importers handling these high-risk vehicles.

The new requirements tighten documentation, packaging, and handling procedures at both origin and import points, reflecting the growing emphasis on safety in hazardous materials transport. This includes evidence‑based compliance such as written certification for exemptions, and stronger packaging/labeling and stowage rules for lithium and sodium‑ion batteries.

“Most of this has to do with the fact that over the years people have been very careless with the way they declare and pack hazardous goods,” said Andrew Rozek, president of freight forwarder I.C.E. Transport. “If you’re a shipper of hazardous materials, you actually have to be licensed to sign all the dangerous goods paperwork, whether it’s batteries, aerosols, or paints.”

The INCOTERMS (international terms of sale) used for any transaction involving lithium-ion batteries impacts responsibility for IMDG compliance. For instance, under ExWorks, the buyer or importer is responsible for the dangerous goods declarations, proper packaging and labeling, carrier documentation, and ensuring that all applicable regulations are followed. Under other INCOTERMS such as DDP, CIF, and CFR, all of that responsibility falls on the supplier.

Rozek noted that hazard classification can vary by mode of transport — air, ocean, or road — so accurate UN numbers, class, and packing group are critical. Importers must ensure that shippers provide a complete Dangerous Goods Declaration to avoid regulatory violations. These changes increase compliance oversight and reinforce the importance of working with competent forwarders experienced in shipping hazmat cargo in ocean containers.

“The DGD will show you everything – the UN number, hazard class, and packing group,” Rozek said. “It will tell the forwarder whether it's considered hazardous everywhere, whether it's hazardous only in certain modes of transport, and the emergency contacts if there's an accident. Any competent forwarder should ask you for that before they quote you, or at least ask for the UN number, the class, and the packing group.”

Look to an Experienced Partner for Guidance

It’s always a good idea for shippers to consult their transportation partner for additional requirements. Air freight, for instance, is wrapped in far more red tape. For instance, passenger aircraft cannot carry most hazardous materials (flammables, compressed gases, lithium batteries over certain limits, explosives, etc.), while cargo aircraft can transport hazardous goods under IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and ICAO Technical Instructions, with packaging, labeling, and declaration compliance required.

Experienced providers, like I.C.E. Transport will understand the latest protocols for shipping lithium batteries – and protect shippers from short-circuiting their efforts.

Whether you’re wondering about shipping lithium batteries in an ocean container or just want to make sure you’re following carrier and regulator rules, feel free contact the shipping experts at I.C.E. Transport for answers.