Lithium Battery Air Shipping from Korea: 2026 Guide

Korea is one of the world’s largest producers of lithium batteries and battery-powered products, yet moving them by air is where many shipments stall. Lithium batteries are dangerous goods, and airlines will only accept them when classification, packaging, state of charge and paperwork all line up.

This checklist covers what has to be settled before you book. It is a practical overview, not a substitute for the regulations: the binding rules are the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), currently the 67th edition for 2026, plus each airline’s own variations. IATA’s free Lithium Battery Guidance Document is the best starting point.

1. Identify exactly what you are shipping

Everything follows from two questions: what chemistry, and how are the batteries packed?

Shipment	UN number	Packing instruction
Lithium-ion batteries on their own	UN 3480	PI 965
Lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment (in the same box, not installed)	UN 3481	PI 966
Lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment (installed)	UN 3481	PI 967
Lithium metal batteries on their own	UN 3090	PI 968
Lithium metal batteries packed with equipment	UN 3091	PI 969
Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment	UN 3091	PI 970

“Packed with” versus “contained in” is not always obvious. A battery that the user can easily remove may be treated as packed with equipment rather than contained in it. Get the classification confirmed before you print labels.

Each packing instruction is further split into sections based on size — for lithium-ion, the watt-hour (Wh) rating; for lithium metal, the lithium content. Larger batteries fall under fully regulated Section I rules; smaller ones may qualify for the reduced requirements of Section II, within quantity limits per package.

2. Check the state of charge — the 2026 change

Lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own (UN 3480, PI 965) have had to travel at a state of charge (SoC) of no more than 30% of rated capacity for some years.

From 1 January 2026, the 30% limit also became mandatory for lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment (UN 3481, PI 966) — for Section I, and for Section II batteries rated above 2.7 Wh. For batteries contained in equipment (PI 967), a SoC of 30% or less is currently a recommendation rather than a requirement.

Charging above these limits is only possible with approval from the relevant authorities, which is rarely practical. In practice: ask your manufacturer to confirm the SoC in writing before the goods leave the factory, because recharging or discharging stock in a warehouse is not a realistic fix.

3. Passenger or cargo aircraft only

UN 3480 (lithium-ion batteries alone) and UN 3090 (lithium metal batteries alone) are forbidden on passenger aircraft and must travel on cargo aircraft, with the “Cargo Aircraft Only” label. That limits the available flights and routes — plan for it when you quote lead times to your customer. Batteries packed with or contained in equipment have more options, subject to the quantity limits for each section.

4. Testing and paperwork

• UN 38.3 test summary. Every lithium cell and battery type must have passed the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, section 38.3, and the manufacturer must make the test summary available. Ask for it with your purchase order; airlines and forwarders will.
• Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS). Most forwarders and airlines ask for it to confirm the chemistry and ratings.
• Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods. Required for fully regulated shipments (Section I and UN 3480/3090), signed by someone trained in dangerous goods.
• Commercial invoice and packing list that match the declaration — the same UN numbers, quantities and Wh ratings everywhere.

5. Packaging, marks and labels

Fully regulated batteries need UN specification packaging, the Class 9 lithium battery hazard label, the UN number and proper shipping name, plus handling labels such as “Cargo Aircraft Only” where applicable. Section II shipments use the lithium battery mark instead, within strict limits. Batteries must be protected against short circuit and against movement inside the package.

6. Airline variations

Airlines can be stricter than the DGR. Some restrict certain UN numbers on specific routes, require advance approval, or set their own SoC or quantity limits. Your forwarder should check the variations for the carrier on your route before you commit to a ship date — this is a common reason for last-minute rebooking.

Quick pre-booking checklist

• Chemistry and configuration confirmed (alone / packed with / contained in)
• UN number, packing instruction and section identified
• Wh rating or lithium content per cell and battery listed
• SoC confirmed by the manufacturer where the 30% rule applies
• UN 38.3 test summary and SDS on file
• Packaging and labels match the packing instruction
• Airline variations checked for the route
• Commercial invoice and packing list consistent with the DG declaration

How ANS can help

ANS ships lithium batteries and other dangerous goods by air from Incheon Airport. We are glad to take battery cargo — standalone batteries, batteries with equipment and battery-powered products — and we check the SDS, UN 38.3 summary and packaging before booking so the shipment is accepted the first time.

Send us your battery details — UN number if you know it, Wh rating, quantities and destination — and we will confirm the requirements for your route.