Air transport battery restrictions—DGR 67th Edition + 30% State of Charge (SoC) + UN38.3 (Source: IATA): Basis: IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) 67th Edition, effective January 1, 2026 (Source: WTO/FTA); Strict Rule: Lithium-ion SoC must not exceed 30% (Source: DHL)—Core Requirements: Watt-hour (Wh) limits + UN numbers + test reports (Source: ICAO).
I.
Watt-hour (Wh) Limits
Lithium-ion: Max 100Wh (Source: ICAO); Operator Approval: 100–160Wh requires approval (Source: ICAO); Lithium Metal: Lithium content max 2g (Source: ICAO); Medical Devices: Relaxed rules for medical electronics (Source: ICAO); Determination: Based on configuration + Wh/lithium content (Source: IATA)—Limits: 100Wh/2g (baseline threshold).
II.
State of Charge (SoC) Limits
30%: Lithium-ion SoC max 30% (Source: IATA); 25%: Or indicated capacity max 25% (Source: IATA); 2026 Mandate: Mandatory from January 1, 2026 (Source: DHL); Exemptions: Exceeding 30% requires approval from the State of Origin and the operator (Source: IATA); Vehicles: SoC limits for battery-powered vehicles (Source: WTO/FTA)—SoC: 30% threshold (mandatory in 2026).
III. UN Numbers
UN3090: Lithium metal cells or batteries (Source: IATA); UN3480: Lithium-ion cells or batteries (Source: IATA); UN3551: Sodium-ion cells or batteries (Source: IATA); Marking: Battery marking must include the UN number (Source: IATA); Label: Lithium battery handling label (Source: IATA)—Number: 3090/3480/3551 (corresponding to the marking).
IV.
Test Reports
UN38.3: Lithium battery transport testing (Source: DHL); Summary: Digitized test summary (Source: DHL); QR Code: Digital access via QR code (Source: DHL); Validity: Test report validity period; Requirement: Shipment prohibited without report (Source: DHL)—Test: UN38.3 + QR code (digital evidence).
V.
Loading Restrictions
Spare Batteries: Carriage as checked baggage prohibited (Source: IATA); Carry-on: Limit of 2 spare lithium-ion batteries for carry-on (Source: IATA); Passenger Aircraft: UN3480 partially prohibited on passenger aircraft (Source: IATA); Cargo Aircraft: Restrictions on IA/IB packages (Source: IATA); Quantity: ≤4 cells or 2 batteries per package (Source: DHL)—Loading: Carry-on + Cargo aircraft (subject to aircraft type).
VI. 2026 New Regulations
End of Grace Period: Grace period expires on January 1, 2026 (Source: DHL); Appendix H: Incorporation of UN TDG 24th Revised Edition (Source: WTO/FTA); Sodium Batteries: New regulations for sodium-ion batteries (Source: WTO/FTA); Hybrid Vehicles: New dangerous goods entries for hybrid vehicles (Source: IATA);
Regulation: ICAO emergency amendment regarding power bank controls (Source: CAAC)—New rules: End of grace period + Sodium batteries (ongoing monitoring).
VII. Procurement Recommendations
First, check Watt-hours (100Wh threshold); second, control State of Charge (30% SoC); third, obtain UN38.3 (test report); fourth, label UN numbers (3090/3480);
fifth, follow packing instructions (PI 966-970)—Air transport of batteries: Limits + SoC + Reports (three-point closed-loop control).
