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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.
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The BSR is available in English in print and digital formats. All versions are updated annually. Digital products come with automatic updates for the year and a search function that makes finding up-to-date information easy. And, they're cheaper.
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2025 Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR)
2025 Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR)
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
The significant changes that were made to the 12th edition of the BSR include:
- The expansion of lithium battery regulations to cover new battery types, including sodium ion batteries, marking a significant shift for 2025.
- Crucial changes to packing instructions PI 965 and PI 966, including new safety measures for shipping batteries with a reduced State of Charge (SoC).
- The 30% SoC rule will become mandatory for lithium batteries packed with equipment by 2026, with specific provisions for State Approvals.
- New requirements for shipping batteries, including updated guidance for batteries in equipment under PI 967.