As adoption of electric cars, e-bikes increase and lithium batteries become lighter and last longer, the number of products relying on batteries will only continue to grow. 

Though a practical and efficient way to store energy, batteries, if not properly designed, tested and manufactured can fail and catch fire. In addition, the stored energy and flammable electrolyte in the battery means that they must be prepared properly for shipping to reduce the potential risk to the transport system.

To help address this, we’ve put together the BSR; a manual with all the information manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, freight forwarders and others in the supply chain need to ensure compliance when shipping  batteries.

What's inside the BSR?

Making a mistake with marking, labelling or packaging products with batteries can at best cause delays. At worst, the battery could fail or short circuit causing a fire. The BSR covers all aspects of the shipping process from packaging requirements, labelling, marking and what to do if something goes wrong en route.

  • Applicability (definitions, shipper responsibilities, caution, training, dangerous good security)
  • Regulations (international legislation, dangerous goods carried by passengers, variations by state and operator, UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, subsection 38.3)
  • Classification (UN Numbers, Class 9 substances, classification scenarios, testing)
  • Identification (list of dangerous goods, special provisions)
  • Packing (combination packaging, quantity limits, UN specifications, overpacks, instructions, examples)
  • UN specification packaging performance tests (test frequency, drop test, stacking test, reports, suppliers)
  • Marking and labelling (marks, specifications, shipper’s responsibilities, examples)
  • Documentation (declaration form instructions and examples, waybills)
  • Acceptance (checklists, refusals)
  • Emergency response

 

Still not sure if the BSR is for you? Download the full table of contents:

Stay up-to-date

Significant Changes and Amendments to the 13th edition (2026) of the Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) include:

  • Amendment of section 4.2: List of dangerous goods to include new entries for battery-powered vehicles, including hybrids, which appear in light text, to give air carriers and operators clearer guidance to assess risks associated with transporting hybrid vehicles.
  • Revision to indicate that lithium ion cells and batteries which are packed with equipment, must now be offered at a state of charge not exceeding 30% of their rated capacity, or an indicated battery capacity not exceeding 25%, with specific provisions for State Approvals.
  • Inclusion of packaging, marking and labelling, and documentation examples for batteries contained in and packed with equipment, All Packed in One outer packaging.
  • Inclusion of an aide memoire for ELI and ELM batteries to help shippers perform their own checks for compliance before offering batteries for transport by air.
  • New and improved battery classification tool in the BSR digital format, featuring sodium ion battery classification, to help shippers determine the correct classification for different battery chemistries and configurations including those contained in and packed with equipment.
  • Introduction of a definition for Safety Data Sheet and inclusion of additional text regarding the context, purpose and rationale of Safety Data Sheets.