How to Ship Sodium-Ion Batteries from China

Start with the Battery Chemistry and Shipment Configuration

Before comparing freight options, establish what will physically move.

A shipment could contain individual cells, battery modules, replacement packs, batteries packed alongside equipment, or equipment with batteries installed. A complete vehicle or containerized energy-storage system needs a separate assessment.

Ask the manufacturer to identify the electrolyte, rather than describing the product only as “sodium-ion.” IATA’s 2026 guidance distinguishes sodium-ion batteries with organic electrolyte from those with aqueous alkali electrolyte. The latter are identified under UN 2795 in that guidance. Source: IATA Battery Guidance Document, 2026

For the first review, collect:

• Manufacturer and exact cell or battery model.
• Chemistry and electrolyte description.
• Nominal voltage, capacity and rated energy.
• Product function and battery configuration.
• New, used, prototype, returned or other cargo condition.
• Photographs of the product, terminals, installed position and proposed packaging.

If the battery is part of a larger system, include the system specification and explain whether it will be shipped assembled or in separate packages.

For complete storage installations, see our guide to shipping BESS and energy-storage containers from China.

Understand UN3551 and UN3552

For sodium-ion batteries with organic electrolyte, the starting entries and air packing instructions depend on configuration:

This table is an orientation tool, not a complete packing instruction. Rating, condition, quantity and applicable provisions still require review. Source: IATA Battery Guidance Document, 2026, sodium-ion classification flowchart

Describe the configuration consistently throughout the shipment record. A battery photographed outside its equipment should not be described as installed merely because both products appear on the same purchase order.

Also distinguish between the battery’s transport classification and its customs classification. A UN number identifies a dangerous-goods transport entry; it is not an HS code.

Compare Air and Sea Freight Options

Start with the shipment’s size, urgency and destination, then establish which operators can accept it.

A useful comparison should use the same product details, packing dimensions, quantities and delivery scope. Otherwise, a lower quotation may simply exclude work included in another offer.

Air Freight

Air freight may be assessed for urgent commercial shipments when the battery configuration, packaging and route meet the applicable requirements.

For UN 3551 batteries shipped alone under PI 976, the standard state-of-charge limit is 30% of rated capacity. Shipping above that level requires the relevant State approvals under the applicable provisions.

For UN 3552 batteries packed with equipment under PI 977 or contained in equipment under PI 978, IATA’s 2026 guidance recommends a state of charge not exceeding 30%; it does not describe this as the same mandatory limit.

UN 3551 is normally restricted to cargo aircraft. Any proposed exception requires a separate approval assessment, and an approval does not oblige an airline to accept the shipment. Source: IATA Battery Guidance Document, 2026, pages 14–17

Provide the manufacturer’s information on state of charge and preparation for transport. Confirm the selected airline’s conditions before dispatch, and follow manufacturer-approved preparation procedures.

Sea Freight

For larger or less urgent consignments, request a sea-freight assessment using the actual carton, pallet or container plan.

The IMDG Code 2024 Edition, including Amendment 42-24, became mandatory on 1 January 2026. The amendment includes sodium-ion battery entries UN 3551 and UN 3552. Sea arrangements must be checked against the applicable maritime provisions rather than copied from an air packing instruction. Source: IMO and Hong Kong Marine Department.

For planning purposes, ask:

• Is an eligible consolidation service available, or should a full-container option be assessed?
• What battery and packaging information does the operator need before acceptance?
• Which origin, destination and local-handling charges are included?
• What are the document and cargo deadlines for the proposed sailing?

Courier, Road and Rail

Identify these as possible services to investigate, not automatic alternatives.

Give the reviewing party the UN entry, battery configuration, package details and destination. A courier brand, parcel weight or previously accepted lithium-battery shipment does not establish acceptance for the current sodium-ion cargo.

Where a journey includes several transport legs, ask who will confirm the requirements and acceptance for each leg. For the wider service overview, see battery shipping from China.

Prepare the Battery and Shipment Documents

Build a consistent record linking the physical battery to the supplied documents.

For applicable sodium-ion air shipments, IATA references UN Manual of Tests and Criteria subsection 38.3 testing. A test summary and a full test report are different records; establish what must be available and what the selected operator requests. Source: IATA Battery Guidance Document, 2026

Use the following checklist to organize the review. It is not a universal mandatory-document list.

Resolve Differences Before Dispatch

A difference between the invoice description and the manufacturer’s model number may be explainable, but the relationship should be documented.

Check whether:

• Model names refer to the cell, battery pack or complete equipment.
• Energy ratings refer to one cell, one battery or the entire system.
• Package weights distinguish battery weight from total packed weight.
• Photographs show the proposed export packing rather than an unrelated retail sample.
• The declared cargo condition matches the physical goods.

BAT Logistics can review the supplied information for shipment planning. Test records, SDS documents and product evidence must come from the responsible manufacturer, customer or issuer.

Plan Packaging, Terminal Protection and Cargo Handling

Provide a packing proposal early enough for review before the goods leave the factory.

As a practical planning checklist, show how the proposed package addresses:

• Contact between exposed terminals and conductive materials.
• Movement of cells, batteries or equipment inside the package.
• Pressure on cables, connectors and vulnerable housings.
• Accidental operation of installed equipment.
• Handling of heavy modules and complete pallets.
• Access to package identification and required markings.

The selected transport requirements determine the final packaging, marks and labels. A carton described as “heavy duty” or a pallet wrapped in film is not enough information to establish suitability.

Record Dimensions at the Correct Level

For each packing level, provide the quantity, gross weight and external dimensions.

For example, distinguish the battery itself from its inner package, outer carton and finished pallet. State the measurement units and include the pallet base in the final dimensions.

If a unit needs mechanical handling, provide its lifting points, handling instructions and any restrictions supplied by the manufacturer.

Treat Prototypes, Returns and Damaged Batteries Separately

Identify unusual cargo conditions before requesting a routine freight quotation.

A prototype may lack the same evidence as a production model. A customer return may be unused, previously operated, faulty or damaged. These descriptions are not interchangeable.

For a returned or abnormal battery, explain:

• Why it is being moved.
• Whether it has been used or tested.
• Whether it has experienced impact, water exposure, overheating or other incidents.
• Whether there is swelling, leakage, an unusual smell or visible damage.
• Whether it is subject to a recall.
• Whether the destination is repair, analysis, reuse, recycling or disposal.

Do not place a questionable battery into a standard shipment while awaiting an answer. Obtain a condition-specific assessment and instructions from the responsible technical and transport parties.

Define Customs and Destination Responsibilities

Customs planning requires information about the product and transaction as well as the transport arrangement.

Provide the product function, technical specification, commercial value, origin, intended use and importer details. The applicable tariff classification should be assessed for the actual goods and destination.

Avoid copying an HS code from a lithium-battery invoice simply because the sodium-ion product has a similar shape or application.

Agree on the Delivery Scope

Before accepting a quotation, establish:

• Who acts as exporter and importer.
• Who supplies commercial and product information.
• Which customs services are included.
• How duties, taxes and additional destination charges are handled.
• Whether delivery ends at a port, terminal, warehouse or another address.
• Whether unloading, appointments or special receiving equipment are required.

If requesting DDP, identify the destination and importer arrangements at the beginning. Ask for the included work and exclusions to be stated in writing.

Transport acceptance also does not establish that a product meets every requirement for sale or use in its destination market. Importers should address product-market obligations separately.

Understand What Changes the Shipping Quote

A useful sodium-ion battery quotation depends on more than kilograms.

Ask for the quotation’s validity, assumptions, included charges and exclusions.

If the product, packing or quantity changes after quotation, send the revised shipment record before booking. An accepted sample movement should not be used as the sole basis for planning a production shipment.

Send One Complete Shipment Brief

A complete first message helps identify the questions that need resolving before a freight option can be discussed.

1. Product: Manufacturer, model and intended use.
2. Battery: Chemistry, electrolyte, voltage, capacity and Wh rating.
3. Configuration: Shipped alone, packed with equipment or installed.
4. Condition: New, used, prototype, return or other status.
5. Quantity: Units, cartons and pallets.
6. Packing: Photographs, gross weights and external dimensions.
7. Origin: China pickup city and address.
8. Destination: Country, city, postcode and delivery requirement.
9. Timing: Cargo-ready date and requested delivery window.
10. Documents: Available specifications, applicable test records, SDS and commercial information.

What Happens After the Initial Review?

BAT Logistics reviews the supplied information and identifies missing details relevant to the requested shipment.

Where a suitable option can be assessed, the next steps are to clarify operating-party requirements, quotation scope and booking conditions. Confirm the final shipment record before dispatching cargo to the agreed receiving location.