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Shipping basics

Shipping lithium batteries from China: UN numbers, documents and Gulf rules for 2026

Yes, you can ship lithium batteries from China by sea, road and rail, but only as declared Class 9 dangerous goods with the correct UN number, a UN38.3 test summary, a safety data sheet, approved packaging and a signed DG declaration. Two 2026 changes matter: IMDG Amendment 42-24 became mandatory on 1 January, and the Hormuz closure pushed Gulf cargo onto longer routes where several carriers limit DG bookings.

8 min readUpdated: Golden Way · Dubai · Guangzhou

Key points

  • Pick the UN number first: UN3480 batteries alone, UN3481 with or inside equipment, UN3556 for lithium-ion vehicles such as e-bikes.
  • No UN38.3 test summary and SDS, no booking: carriers and Chinese customs ask for both.
  • Since 1 January 2026, UN3171 can no longer be used for lithium-powered vehicles.
  • The 30% state-of-charge cap is an air rule; sea and road follow the IMDG Code and ADR.
  • In the Gulf, the product still needs local conformity (ECAS in the UAE, SABER in Saudi Arabia) on top of the DG paperwork.

Step one: find the right UN number

Classification depends on chemistry and on how the battery travels. A power bank on its own is a different entry from a phone with its battery fitted, and an e-bike is a vehicle, not equipment. The UN number drives packing, labels, carrier acceptance and the DG surcharge, so put it on the booking request, not after packing.

UN numberWhat it coversTypical products from China
UN3480Lithium-ion batteries shipped on their ownPower banks, spare laptop packs, battery modules, loose cells
UN3481Lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment, or contained in equipmentPhones, laptops, power tools, toys with a fitted pack, a tool sold with a spare battery
UN3090 / UN3091Lithium metal batteries alone / with or in equipmentCoin cells, primary cells, devices powered by them
UN3551 / UN3552Sodium-ion batteries alone / with or in equipmentNew sodium-ion packs and devices
UN3556 / UN3557Vehicles powered by lithium-ion / lithium metal batteriesE-bikes, e-scooters, electric cars
UN3171Vehicles powered by wet-cell, sodium metal or sodium alloy batteries onlyLead-acid powered vehicles; no longer used for lithium vehicles

Tap a card to flip it

The document pack carriers and customs ask for

Most rejected battery bookings fail on paperwork, not cargo. Get the full pack from your supplier before paying the balance, and check that the models on the UN38.3 summary match the invoice and packing list. A summary for another capacity or cell supplier does not cover your goods.

Lithium battery document checklist

0/9

Sea, road, rail and air: what changes by mode

  • Class 9 under the IMDG Code, Amendment 42-24 mandatory since 1 January 2026
  • Each line approves DG separately, with its own DG cut-off and surcharge
  • Terminals protected against short circuit, batteries secured against movement, strong outer packaging
  • Small cells and batteries may use SP188 if Wh limits, testing and marking are met
  • Damaged or defective batteries need special approval and are often refused
1 Jan 2026IMDG 42-24 mandatory
20 WhSP188 limit per lithium-ion cell
100 WhSP188 limit per lithium-ion battery
30%maximum state of charge by air

From the factory to the Gulf, step by step

  1. ClassifyConfirm chemistry, Wh rating, UN number and HS code with the supplier before production ends.
  2. Collect documentsUN38.3 summary, SDS and packaging certificates checked against the invoice models.
  3. Request DG bookingWe send DG details to lines that still accept Class 9 to your port; approval can take several days.
  4. Pack and labelUN packaging, terminal protection, Class 9 battery labels, shipping marks on two sides.
  5. Inspect in ChinaChina Customs may inspect DG packaging; the 危包证 is issued for the filled packages.
  6. Stuff and declarePacking certificate, placards, VGM, and the DG declaration filed before the DG cut-off.
  7. Sail and dischargeAs of November 2026, UAE cargo usually lands at Khor Fakkan or Sohar instead of Jebel Ali.
  8. Truck and clearBonded truck to Dubai, import declaration with SDS and conformity documents, then delivery.
Shenzhen factoryYantian portKhor FakkanDubai warehouse
SeaRoad

Gulf approvals: DG paperwork is not enough

The DG pack gets batteries onto the ship; it does not clear them into a Gulf market. In the UAE, chargers and power banks normally need an ECAS certificate from MOIAT, and wireless devices also need TDRA type approval. DG must be declared with an SDS at import, and some goods need Ministry of Interior or MOCCAE approval. In Saudi Arabia, the importer needs a SABER product certificate and a shipment certificate before clearance. Start these while the goods are being made.

CountryProduct conformityWhat to plan for
UAEECAS (MOIAT); TDRA for wireless devicesDG declared with SDS at import; 5% duty on CIF plus 5% VAT
Saudi ArabiaSABER product certificate and shipment certificate (SASO)15% VAT; land entry via Batha with a SABER shipment certificate
OmanDGSM (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion)Sohar and Salalah are outside Hormuz; 5% duty and 5% VAT
KuwaitKUCAS (PAI)Access by sea is affected in 2026; often trucked from Saudi Arabia

Costs, duty and China-side changes to watch

Batteries cost more to ship than general cargo: DG surcharges, packaging, documents and longer lead times. UAE duty is 5% of CIF and VAT 5% on CIF plus duty. In China, the export VAT rebate on batteries fell from 9% to 6% on 1 April 2026 and is due to end on 1 January 2027, so expect FOB prices to move. Chinese export controls on certain high-energy lithium batteries and battery materials were suspended until 10 November 2026; as of late October no extension notice had been published, so our team checks the current status for cells, packs and materials.

CIF value–
Duty–
VAT–
Duty and VAT–

Most goods from China pay 5% GCC duty on CIF, once, at the first GCC entry. VAT is on CIF + duty. Estimate only.

A quick test before you book

Can you classify these battery shipments?

You import 2,000 power banks with no device attached. Which UN number applies?
A container of lithium-ion e-bikes leaves Ningbo in 2026. How is it declared?
Does the 30% state-of-charge cap apply to sea freight?
Your batteries have full DG documents. What else do you need to sell chargers in the UAE?

Frequently asked questions

Can lithium batteries be shipped from China by sea?

Yes, as Class 9 dangerous goods under the IMDG Code, with a UN38.3 summary, SDS, UN packaging, a DG declaration and carrier acceptance, which we check per booking in 2026.

What is the difference between UN3480 and UN3481?

UN3480 is lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own, such as power banks and spare packs. UN3481 is lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment or fitted inside it, such as phones and laptops.

What documents do I need to ship lithium batteries from China?

A UN38.3 test summary per model, an SDS, the correct UN number, UN packaging with the China Customs DG packaging certificate, and a signed DG declaration.

Is UN3171 still used for e-bikes and electric scooters?

No. Since IMDG Amendment 42-24 became mandatory on 1 January 2026, lithium-ion vehicles are declared as UN3556 and lithium metal vehicles as UN3557. UN3171 remains for wet-cell and sodium battery vehicles.

Do lithium batteries need approval to import into the UAE?

They must be declared as dangerous goods with an SDS. Products such as power banks and chargers also need ECAS conformity from MOIAT, and wireless devices need TDRA type approval.

Why is shipping batteries more expensive than general cargo?

DG surcharges, special packaging and certificates, earlier cut-offs and fewer accepting carriers. Rates change weekly, so our team quotes the all-in cost within one working day.

Was this article useful?

Sources

  1. IMO: IMDG Code publication page
  2. Maersk: IMDG Code 42-24 regulatory changes for battery vehicles (January 2026)
  3. Arkas Line: Regulatory update IMDG Code 42-24 (UN3171, UN3556–UN3558)
  4. UK P&I Club: CINS recommendations on SP188 lithium-ion batteries (August 2026)
  5. Lion Technology: new lithium battery state of charge limit in effect 1 January 2026 (IATA DGR)
  6. DHL: Lithium batteries dangerous goods checklist (sodium-ion UN3551/UN3552, UN38.3)
  7. UAE Federal Decree No. 97 of 2018 approving accession to the ADR (Lexis Middle East)
  8. Henan Provincial Government: China adjusts export tax rebates for photovoltaic and battery products (January 2026)
  9. Environment+Energy Leader: Rare earth truce is extended, but its legal deadlines stand (30 October 2026)
  10. Lloyd's List Intelligence: Strait of Hormuz Brief, 22 October 2026

General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.

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