One-page reference for shipping lithium-battery diagnostic equipment from China to Australia/New Zealand. Pin it next to your booking process. Full explanation in the DG shipping guide.
Classification Quick Table
| What you’re shipping | UN No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery inside the device (tablet, VCI) | UN 3481 | Most common case for diagnostic tools |
| Battery packed with (not in) equipment | UN 3481 | Different packing instruction than “contained in” |
| Spare battery packs alone | UN 3480 | Strictest air rules; cargo aircraft only; SoC limits |
Document Pack (collect BEFORE booking)
- UN 38.3 test summary — matching the exact battery model and manufacturer
- Battery MSDS / SDS
- Packing list with battery model, watt-hours and quantity per carton
- DG declaration (where required for the mode/classification)
Carton Requirements
- Lithium battery mark with correct UN number on the outer carton, visible, not taped over
- Quantities within the per-package limits for the mode and classification
- Batteries protected against short circuit and movement
Five Mistakes That Stop Shipments
- UN 38.3 summary missing or for a different battery model
- Spares mixed into an “equipment only” declaration
- Factory prints the wrong (or old) battery mark on cartons
- Booking air freight for goods that exceed passenger-aircraft provisions
- Telling the forwarder “no batteries” because the commercial invoice says “diagnostic tool”
Note: Rules live in the current IATA DGR (air) and IMDG Code (sea) editions and change periodically — confirm specifics with your forwarder each season. Updated July 2026.