01   Definition and Classification of Lithium Batteries

 A lithium battery refers to a battery that uses lithium metal or lithium alloy as the negative electrode material and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. Lithium batteries can be roughly divided into two categories: lithium metal batteries and lithium-ion batteries. Lithium metal batteries are usually non-rechargeable and belong to primary batteries (cannot be recharged repeatedly). They generally use manganese dioxide as the positive electrode material, metallic lithium or its alloy metal as the negative electrode material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, such as button batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and belong to secondary batteries (can be recharged repeatedly many times). They generally use lithium alloy metal oxide as the positive electrode material, graphite as the negative electrode material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, such as mobile phone batteries

02  Hazardous Characteristics of Lithium Batteries 

The electrode materials and electrolytes of lithium batteries are all flammable substances. Battery short circuits may occur under conditions such as overcharging, extreme temperatures, and incorrect operations. A battery short circuit may cause the leakage of corrosive electrolyte, which in turn may lead to battery combustion. In extreme cases, it may even explode due to excessive pressure in the battery container. Since there are very few fire extinguishing agents applicable to lithium battery fires, especially when burning during flight, the halogenated hydrocarbon fire extinguishing agents used on aircraft cannot put them out, which may cause serious safety accidents. Therefore, the processing, storage, and use of lithium metal have high requirements for the environment. According to the provisions of the United Nations' Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations, batteries and battery packs, batteries and battery packs installed in equipment, or batteries or battery packs packaged with equipment that contain lithium in any form must be classified into the following 4 United Nations numbers as appropriate: UN3090 - Lithium metal battery packs (including lithium alloy battery packs); UN3091 - Lithium metal battery packs installed in equipment or packaged with equipment (including lithium alloy battery packs); UN3480 - Lithium-ion battery packs (including lithium-ion polymer battery packs); UN3481 - Lithium-ion battery packs installed in equipment or packaged with equipment (including lithium-ion polymer battery packs).        

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Customs regulatory requirements for exported lithium batteries

Article 17 of the Import and Export Commodity Inspection Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that enterprises that produce packaging containers for export of dangerous goods must apply to the commodity inspection authorities for performance appraisal of packaging containers. Enterprises that produce dangerous goods for export must apply to the commodity inspection authorities for identification of the use of packaging containers. Dangerous goods using packaging containers that have not been certified are not allowed to be exported. According to the above requirements, for lithium battery goods that need to be packaged with dangerous goods, not only must the packaging that has passed the performance inspection be used, but also the packaging use identification must be applied to the local customs.

(1) Packaging performance inspection of export lithium batteries.

The main body of application for packaging performance inspection of export lithium batteries is the manufacturer of packaging containers. The customs implements code management for this type of enterprise. Only after the enterprise applies to the local customs and obtains the code of the export dangerous goods packaging production enterprise can it apply to the customs for packaging performance inspection. The validity period of the performance inspection result sheet is determined according to the material nature of the packaging container and the nature of the goods contained. Lithium battery packaging is generally no more than 12 months from the date of production of the container. If the shipment is not exported within the validity period and the packaging is in good condition, the enterprise can re-apply for packaging performance inspection, and can continue to be used for export after passing the inspection. The re-issued "Entry-Exit Goods Packaging Performance Inspection Result Sheet" will be calculated from the inspection completion date and will be valid for no more than 6 months.

The production enterprise code consists of the capital letter C (representing "Customs") and 6 Arabic digits. The first 2 Arabic digits represent the directly affiliated customs in the area where the enterprise is located (for example, 42 represents Qingdao Customs), and the last 4 Arabic digits 0001-9999 represent the production enterprise. For example, in C420201,"42" stands for Qingdao Customs, and "0201" stands for enterprises in the customs area with the serial number 0201 compiled by Qingdao Customs.

（二）Appraisal for the use of packaging for exported lithium batteries.

 The applicant for the appraisal of the use of packaging for exported lithium batteries is the manufacturing enterprise of the goods. Before applying for the use appraisal, enterprises should mainly make the following preparations: 1.  The external part of lithium batteries should be marked with the watt-hour rating (W·h). Each battery or battery pack shall meet the requirements of various tests in UN38.3, Part III of the Manual of Tests and Criteria. The test items include altitude simulation, high and low temperature cycling, vibration test, impact test, external short circuit at 55℃, impact test, overcharge test, forced discharge test, etc. (Generally, these tests are conducted by professional institutions and test reports are issued).  2.  The packaging used shall pass the inspection and obtain the Inspection Result Form for the Performance of Entry-Exit Cargo Packaging.  3.  The packaging containers shall be marked with clear, firm and correct UN numbers, UN marks and Class 9 dangerous goods labels, and the marks and labels shall comply with relevant requirements.  4.  Information such as the name, specification and model (including tare weight) of the packaging container and the user unit shall be consistent with the performance inspection result form and relevant documents. The actually used packaging, packaging container marks and batch numbers shall be consistent with the declared certificates and documents.  5.  The commonly used packaging for exported lithium batteries is box-type. The packaging guidelines require that the container category must meet the performance indicators of Class II packaging. Batteries or battery packs in the containers shall be protected to prevent damage caused by movement or position change. For those with a total weight of more than 12kg, batteries or battery packs with strong and collision-resistant outer casings, as well as collections of such batteries or battery packs, shall be provided with strong outer packaging, protective covers or handling equipment such as pallets.  6.  When wooden boxes and fiberboard boxes are fastened with nails, the nails shall be driven firmly, the nail tips shall be bent over, and neither the nail tips nor the nail caps shall protrude; the box body shall be intact, and the strapping shall tightly hoop the box body. Corrugated cartons shall be intact, the sealing shall be flat and firm, and the strapping shall tightly hoop the carton body.  7.  There are two packaging forms for batteries and battery packs packed together with equipment: one is that the batteries and battery packs are placed in containers that meet the packaging regulations, and then placed in outer containers together with the equipment; the other is that the batteries are installed in the equipment and then placed in containers that meet the packaging regulations.  8.  Other special provisions in international regulations on the packaging of lithium batteries or lithium battery packs。

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