Shipping lithium button cells: UN38.3, air and sea in plain terms

Lithium button cells (CR series) are classed as dangerous goods in transport — but “dangerous” here does not mean an exemption-free product. It means a regulated one, and the paperwork list is shorter than most buyers fear when the supplier keeps it in order.

UN38.3: the test behind everything

UN38.3 is the United Nations test protocol for lithium batteries used in transport: altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact and forced discharge. A pass is the baseline document carriers and freight forwarders request before accepting a lithium shipment.

Air transport and maritime certificates

• Air transport certification — aligns with the DGR rules of the air transport regulations; needed for passenger or cargo flights.
• Maritime certification — required for sea shipments, since lithium batteries may not be loaded under general cargo conditions without the correct declaration and packaging.

What the buyer should check

1. The certificate matches the model — a UN38.3 report for CR2032 does not automatically cover CR1620. TIANQIU’s certification folder covers the full CR range from CR927 to CR2450.
2. The report is current — transport test results are periodically reissued; confirm the date covers your shipment window.
3. The packaging follows the rule — button cells ship in inner boxes inside regulated outer packaging with the correct labels; our trade team manages marking and documentation per destination.

Where it lands in your order

For a private label program, UN38.3 and the transport certificates travel with your order: the trade team prepares them at shipment time and forwards them to your forwarder, so an importer does not need to chase the paperwork separately.

One realistic expectation: with the documents in order, a lithium button cell order moves on the same timeline as an alkaline order — the test reports are the difference.