Blog Details

Shipping Batteries and Electronics Safely from China

Electronics and battery-powered items are some of the most popular products people import from China, but they are also some of the most misunderstood when it comes to shipping.

Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This means they pose a fire risk if damaged or short-circuited, requiring special handling, strict packaging, and proper documentation before they can legally travel by air. This is exactly why many inexperienced forwarders turn these shipments away. We do not.

What You Need to Know
Documentation: To ship batteries, we require specific documents, most notably the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and the UN38.3 transport test summary. We will guide your supplier on how to provide these.
Packaging Rules: Batteries must be packed in specific inner packaging to prevent short circuits, and placed in robust outer packaging that meets UN standards.
Product Types: Shipping a standalone power bank is treated differently than shipping a laptop with a battery installed inside it. We know exactly how to classify your specific product.

Timelines and Transparency
Because the process is more thorough and requires specialized cargo space, shipping batteries usually takes a little longer—around 1 to 3 weeks by air. However, this ensures your goods are shipped legally and safely, arriving without issues. (For very large bulk orders, we can also arrange specialized sea freight for electronics).

If you are planning to import anything with a battery inside, the best thing you can do is tell your forwarder upfront. That way, everything is prepared correctly from the very first step, instead of running into costly problems once your goods reach the airport.