Identify the Physical Shipment Before Choosing the UN Number

Begin with the battery's physical relationship to the equipment—not the preferred service, commercial product name or wording from a previous shipment.

1. Shipped on its own: The package contains lithium metal cells or batteries without the equipment they are intended to power. The likely entry is UN3090. For air transport, the starting point is PI 968.
2. Packed with equipment: The lithium metal cells or batteries and their intended equipment are in the same package, but the batteries are not installed. The likely entry is UN3091. For air transport, begin with PI 969.
3. Contained in equipment: The lithium metal cells or batteries are installed in the equipment during transport. The likely entry is UN3091. For air transport, begin with PI 970.

This three-part test is an orientation tool, not a legal classification. Vehicles, cargo transport units, hybrid batteries, prototypes, damaged or defective batteries, and batteries moving for disposal or recycling may require a different or additional review.

UN3090 vs UN3091 at a Glance

These descriptions follow the configuration logic in the IATA 2026 Battery Guidance Document and the PHMSA Lithium Battery Guide. The PHMSA guide explains the same physical distinction in the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations context. It should not be treated as the law for every international shipment.

Confirm Lithium Metal Chemistry First

Lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries are different transport categories. IATA describes lithium metal batteries as generally non-rechargeable and containing metallic lithium. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and contain lithium in ionic form.

The first classification record should identify:

• manufacturer and exact cell or battery model;
• whether the battery is primary/non-rechargeable or rechargeable;
• battery chemistry stated by the manufacturer;
• nominal voltage and capacity information;
• lithium content for each cell and complete battery;
• the number of cells and batteries in the product, package and consignment;
• whether the battery is alone, beside the equipment or installed in it;
• new, used, returned, prototype, damaged, defective, recalled, waste or recycling status.

Do not select UN3090 merely because an invoice says “lithium battery.” A rechargeable lithium-ion battery will ordinarily start with UN3480 or UN3481 instead. See the separate UN3480 vs UN3481 guide for that chemistry.

Lithium metal batteries also should not be evaluated only by Watt-hour rating. For the IATA air-classification pathways, lithium content is the relevant size measure for lithium metal cells and batteries. Use verified manufacturer data rather than calculating or guessing the value from a similar model.

Some battery designs combine primary lithium metal cells with rechargeable lithium-ion cells. These hybrid designs require a specific current-rule review. They should not be assigned to a standard entry solely from the word “hybrid” or the chemistry of one component.

What Does UN3090 Mean?

UN3090 is the ordinary entry for lithium metal cells and batteries—including lithium alloy batteries—when they are shipped without the equipment they are intended to power. In practical freight language, they are standalone batteries.

Possible commercial examples include:

• cartons of primary lithium cells supplied to an assembler;
• replacement lithium metal batteries shipped as inventory;
• industrial primary battery packs shipped separately from their equipment; and
• spare batteries shipped without the intended device.

Examples do not decide the classification. A product described as a “spare,” “module” or “power supply” still needs verified chemistry, lithium content, configuration and condition.

For air transport, UN3090 points to Packing Instruction 968. The IATA 2026 guidance shows that UN3090 packages are forbidden as cargo on passenger aircraft under the baseline framework. Eligible shipments therefore require a cargo-aircraft pathway and all applicable preparation and operator conditions.

“Cargo aircraft only” does not mean “automatically accepted.” The applicable section, lithium content, battery and package quantity, net battery weight, package performance, marks, labels, documentation, route, State variations and airline policy still need review. Some operators or routes may not accept the shipment even when the baseline regulatory conditions can be met.

What Does UN3091 Mean?

UN3091 covers two related but distinct configurations: lithium metal batteries packed with equipment and lithium metal batteries contained in equipment. They share the UN number, but the physical arrangement, air packing instruction and practical package review differ.

UN3091 Packed with Equipment

“Packed with equipment” means the lithium metal battery and the equipment it is intended to power are in the same package, but the battery is not installed in that equipment.

For air transport, this configuration points to PI 969. The package review must address the battery as a separate item within the package, including protection from short circuit, movement, damage and contact with the equipment or conductive materials as required by the applicable instruction.

The relationship between the battery and the equipment must be genuine. Placing a token device beside a commercial quantity of spare batteries should not be presented as a method for avoiding UN3090. The battery quantity, equipment quantity and intended use must satisfy the applicable provisions and carrier review.

UN3091 Contained in Equipment

“Contained in equipment” means the lithium metal battery is installed in the device or apparatus during transport. For air transport, this configuration points to PI 970.

The equipment can form part of the battery's physical protection, but installation does not make the battery ordinary cargo. The product and outer package still need to protect the battery from damage and short circuit, control movement and prevent unintended operation where required.

Not every battery-powered product belongs under UN3091 contained in equipment. Vehicles, battery-powered cargo transport units and certain other articles have separate entries or provisions. A commercial description such as “machine with battery” is not enough. Product function, construction, photographs and technical documentation may be needed to identify the correct pathway.

Use a Six-Question Classification Workflow

1. What is the verified battery chemistry?

Confirm whether the cells are lithium metal, lithium alloy, lithium-ion, sodium-ion or another chemistry. Ask for the exact model and manufacturer documentation. Product category alone does not answer this question.

2. Where is the battery in relation to the equipment?

Use photographs and a packing diagram to answer one physical question:

• no intended equipment in the package points toward UN3090;
• the battery beside its intended equipment in the same package points toward UN3091 packed with equipment; and
• the battery installed in its intended equipment points toward UN3091 contained in equipment.

3. What is the verified lithium content?

Collect the lithium content per cell and per complete battery from the manufacturer. The IATA 2026 classification flowchart uses 1 g per cell and 2 g per battery as important thresholds when separating lithium metal air-shipping pathways. A value at or below a threshold does not create a general exemption from every requirement.

4. How many cells or batteries are being shipped?

Record quantities per product, inner package, outer package and consignment. Extra spare batteries, mixed models and multiple equipment units can change the applicable preparation.

5. Is the battery in an ordinary condition?

Disclose whether the goods are new, used, returned, prototypes, damaged, defective, recalled, waste or intended for recycling. Special conditions can trigger prohibitions, approvals or different packing instructions. They should not be discovered after a booking request is submitted.

6. Which mode, route and carrier are proposed?

Air, sea, road and rail rules are not interchangeable. Identify the pickup point, destination, transfer points, preferred mode, shipment date and every operating party that must accept the cargo. Review the edition and variations in force on the actual shipment date.

Why the Difference Changes Air-Shipping Preparation

The IATA classification flowchart for lithium metal batteries separates the three configurations as follows:

The 2026 flowchart also separates cells above or at/below 1 g lithium content and batteries above or at/below 2 g lithium content. Those thresholds help identify a possible section and preparation path, but they are not a complete shipping table.

Depending on the applicable instruction and section, an air shipment can involve:

• UN specification or other qualifying packaging;
• protection against short circuit and damage;
• limits on cell, battery and package quantity;
• passenger- or cargo-aircraft restrictions;
• the lithium battery mark;
• the Class 9 lithium battery hazard label;
• the Cargo Aircraft Only label;
• a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods;
• an air-waybill compliance statement;
• dangerous-goods training or documented adequate instruction; and
• State and operator variations.

Not every item applies to every shipment. Conversely, meeting one condition does not waive the others. The complete packing instruction and current variations must be checked by the responsible, appropriately trained parties.

IATA's current Batteries portal also notes that air requirements depend on configuration and, for non-rechargeable lithium batteries, lithium content. It identifies an additional packaging-performance requirement introduced for specified lithium batteries packed with or contained in equipment. This is another reason not to reuse an old package procedure without checking the current instruction.

For service-planning context rather than classification alone, see shipping lithium batteries by air from China.

How Sea Shipping Uses the Same Configuration Distinction

The standalone-versus-equipment distinction remains relevant for international sea freight, but IATA packing instructions and aircraft restrictions do not govern an ocean shipment.

The International Maritime Organization states that the IMDG Code 2024 Edition, incorporating Amendment 42-24, became mandatory on 1 January 2026. The current maritime framework must be used for the actual sailing date and route.

UN3090 and UN3091 still provide the ordinary configuration starting points for lithium metal cells and batteries. The rest of the maritime preparation—including any applicable special provision, packaging, marks, labels, documentation, stowage, segregation and container conditions—must be assessed under the current IMDG Code and the requirements of the origin, transit and destination parties.

Ocean freight is not automatically unrestricted. Acceptance can depend on the battery model and condition, lithium content, package, quantity, container plan, carrier, port, terminal, inland legs and destination arrangements. A previous shipment does not guarantee that the next carrier or sailing will accept the same cargo.

See the separate guide to shipping batteries by sea for modal planning. Do not use an air packing instruction as a substitute for the current maritime requirements.

Equipment, Vehicles and Hybrid Batteries Need Careful Boundaries

Equipment is not a decorative addition

For “packed with equipment,” the battery should be intended to power the accompanying equipment. The applicable quantity and packing provisions must support the relationship. Adding equipment only to obtain a preferred entry is not a defensible classification method.

A vehicle may have a separate entry

The IMDG Amendment 42-24 text distinguishes equipment under UN3091 from lithium-metal-battery-powered vehicles under UN3557. Self-propelled apparatus designed to carry people or goods can fall within the vehicle framework. Confirm the product function and current modal definition before treating an electric bicycle, mobility device, machine or similar product as ordinary equipment.

A cargo transport unit can follow another pathway

Under IMDG Amendment 42-24, lithium batteries installed in a cargo transport unit and designed only to provide power external to that unit can be assigned to UN3536. A containerized power product therefore should not be assigned to UN3091 merely because the batteries are physically installed.

Hybrid batteries require specific review

The current IMDG amendment includes provisions for qualifying batteries containing both primary lithium metal cells and rechargeable lithium-ion cells. The applicable UN entry and limits depend on the actual design and current rule text. Obtain manufacturer technical data and do not classify a hybrid battery using only the simple three-configuration table on this page.

UN38.3, SDS, Marks and Shipping Documents Answer Different Questions

These records are often sent together, but they do not perform the same function.

UN 38.3 test summary

UN 38.3 addresses design-type tests for lithium cells and batteries. The test summary helps identify the tested design and provides traceability to the manufacturer and test information. It does not decide whether the physical shipment is standalone, packed with equipment or contained in equipment.

The IATA 2026 guidance says that, except for button cells installed in equipment (including circuit boards), manufacturers and subsequent distributors must make the test summary available for cells or batteries—and equipment powered by those cells or batteries—when the cells or batteries were manufactured after 30 June 2003. The summary does not normally need to travel as a paper document with every consignment unless a State or operator requires it. Review the dedicated UN 38.3 test-summary guide for the record itself.

SDS or MSDS

An SDS may support the chemistry and hazard review, but it is not a transport approval. It should match the exact manufacturer and battery model. An old, generic or supplier-edited sheet should not override verified product specifications or the applicable dangerous-goods rules. See lithium battery SDS/MSDS for shipping.

Marks and labels

Marks and labels communicate information about the prepared package. Their requirements depend on the UN entry, applicable instruction or provision, package and mode. Applying a UN3091 mark cannot convert standalone batteries into an equipment shipment. See the lithium battery marks and labels guide.

Declarations and shipping documents

Some pathways require a dangerous-goods declaration or other transport statement, while others have different documentation treatment. Ordinary commercial documents, battery records and transport documents should describe the same manufacturer, model, chemistry, configuration, quantity and package.

Use the lithium battery shipping documents checklist to organize the wider file. BAT Logistics does not issue UN 38.3 test summaries, SDS documents, test reports, certificates, permits or licences.

Special Conditions Leave the Ordinary UN3090/UN3091 Flow

The three-configuration comparison is for ordinary lithium metal cargo. Stop and request a separate review when the shipment includes:

• damaged, defective or safety-recalled cells, batteries or equipment;
• a prototype or low-production-run battery design;
• batteries intended for disposal or recycling;
• used batteries with unknown history or condition;
• batteries above ordinary mass or quantity limits;
• mixed battery models or chemistries;
• hybrid lithium metal/lithium-ion designs;
• vehicles or cargo transport units; or
• conflicting technical or shipping documents.

These conditions can change eligibility, approvals, packaging and carrier acceptance. Do not hide them to fit a preferred UN number or service. For condition triage, see the guide to damaged, defective and recalled lithium battery shipping.

Common UN3090 and UN3091 Mistakes

Choosing the UN number from the product name

“Primary battery,” “sensor,” “spare,” “machine” and “battery pack” are commercial descriptions. Confirm chemistry and physical configuration.

Calling every lithium battery lithium-ion

Lithium metal and lithium-ion use different UN entries and size measures. Verify the manufacturer's chemistry rather than relying on a marketplace listing.

Treating both UN3091 configurations as identical

Packed with equipment and contained in equipment share one UN number but point to PI 969 and PI 970 respectively for air transport.

Adding token equipment to avoid UN3090

The battery must have a genuine relationship to the accompanying equipment, and the applicable quantity provisions still need to be met.

Using Watt-hours as the only size threshold

Lithium metal pathways use lithium content. Watt-hour thinking from lithium-ion shipments should not be copied across without checking the current rules.

Assuming cargo aircraft automatically accepts UN3090

The passenger-aircraft prohibition is only one condition. Cargo-aircraft service still depends on the complete instruction, operator variations, route and acceptance.

Applying air instructions to sea freight

PI 968, PI 969 and PI 970 are air packing-instruction starting points. Maritime shipments require the current IMDG framework.

Treating one document as approval

A test summary, SDS, mark, label, old declaration or previous airway bill answers only part of the review. All shipment facts must agree.

Hiding returned, damaged, prototype or recycling status

Special conditions may trigger a different or prohibited pathway. Disclose them before route selection.

Classifying a vehicle as ordinary equipment

Vehicle and equipment definitions can lead to different UN entries. Verify the product function under the current modal rules.

Information to Send Before Requesting a Freight Plan

Provide one controlled shipment record with the following information.

Battery and product identity

• manufacturer and exact product and battery model;
• primary/non-rechargeable chemistry confirmation;
• nominal voltage and capacity;
• verified lithium content per cell and complete battery;
• number of cells and batteries in each product.

Physical configuration and condition

• standalone, packed with equipment or contained in equipment;
• photographs showing the battery's relationship to the equipment;
• number of batteries per inner and outer package;
• new, used, returned, prototype, damaged, defective, recalled, waste or recycling status;
• any event or storage history that may affect condition.

Package and shipment data

• inner and outer packaging description and photographs;
• package count, dimensions, gross weight and net battery weight;
• mixed models, spare batteries or other dangerous goods in the package or overpack;
• China pickup address and cargo-ready date;
• destination, proposed mode and transfer points.

Available records

• manufacturer-supplied UN 38.3 test-summary access;
• SDS/MSDS or product specification where available;
• package test or certification information when applicable;
• proposed dangerous-goods and commercial documents;
• any existing State, authority or carrier conditions relevant to the shipment.

Do not alter the product description or omit spare batteries to fit a preferred category. Clear facts make it possible for the responsible parties to identify a defensible route and preparation plan.