Shipping Batteries, Magnets and Liquids from China

Yes, most products with batteries, magnets, liquids or powders can ship from China, but not on general-cargo terms. Each shipment needs its documents checked first — usually an MSDS, and for lithium batteries a UN38.3 test summary — and the airline, courier or shipping line must accept the goods for the chosen mode. Expect a personal quote rather than a published rate.

What counts as special goods?

Freight rules divide cargo into general cargo and dangerous goods. Air shipments follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR); sea shipments follow the IMDG Code. Some products are fully regulated dangerous goods, such as standalone lithium batteries or flammable liquids. Others can travel as general cargo once their documents show they are not hazardous, such as many water-based liquids. On top of the regulations, every airline, courier and shipping line adds its own acceptance rules, so the same product can be accepted on one service and refused on another.

That is why our published rates are for general cargo only. Goods with batteries, magnets, liquids or powders are checked first and then priced individually.

Lithium batteries: UN numbers and the UN38.3 test summary

Lithium batteries are the most common special goods from China, because they are inside phones, speakers, power tools, toys and e-bikes. The rules depend on the chemistry and on how the battery travels:

• UN3480: lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own
• UN3481: lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment or contained in equipment
• UN3090: lithium metal batteries shipped on their own
• UN3091: lithium metal batteries packed with equipment or contained in equipment

IATA's guidance treats power banks and similar power packs as batteries, not as equipment, so they fall under the strictest group. Lithium metal batteries shipped on their own may not travel as cargo on passenger aircraft.

Whatever the group, two documents come first. The UN38.3 test summary shows that the cell or battery design passed the UN safety tests; the battery or product manufacturer provides it. The MSDS (safety data sheet) describes the battery's composition and hazards. Also note the watt-hour (Wh) rating for lithium-ion batteries, or the lithium content for lithium metal, because thresholds in the rules depend on it.

What changed in 2026: the 30% state-of-charge rule

From 1 January 2026, under the 67th edition of the IATA DGR, lithium-ion cells and batteries packed with equipment (Packing Instruction 966) must be offered for air transport at a state of charge of no more than 30% of their rated capacity. Under Section II of PI 966 the limit applies to cells and batteries over 2.7 Wh. Standalone lithium-ion batteries (PI 965) already had the same limit. For batteries contained in equipment (PI 967), shipping at no more than 30% remains a strong recommendation rather than a requirement.

In practice, ask your factory to set the charge level during production and to confirm it in writing before the cartons are sealed. Batteries shipped at a higher charge need special approval from the authorities, which a normal shipment won't have.

Magnets, liquids and powders

Strong magnets — in speakers, motors, magnetic toys or loose magnets — can disturb aircraft instruments. Before air shipment they are often tested for magnetic field strength; goods that exceed the limits are regulated as magnetized material (UN2807) and may need shielding. Sea freight is less sensitive to magnetism.

Liquids and powders are judged on what they contain. Cosmetics, inks, adhesives, essential oils and perfume are common examples; anything flammable (perfume and many solvent-based inks are) is dangerous goods. Prepare an MSDS that states the flash point and ingredients. For air shipments from China, airlines and forwarders usually also ask for an air transport condition identification report issued by an approved testing institution.

Air, express or sea: which mode is easier?

Sea freight is generally the most accommodating mode, because ships can carry most dangerous goods classes when they are declared and packed under the IMDG Code — although some LCL consolidations refuse certain goods, and a full container booking may be simpler. Air freight can carry many battery products and identified liquids, but every airline sets its own limits, and fully regulated goods need dangerous-goods packaging, labels and a shipper's declaration. Express couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS apply their own account-level rules for batteries, which can be stricter than the regulations.

The right mode therefore depends on the exact product, the battery configuration and the destination. A small difference — a battery packed in the box instead of fitted in the device — can change the answer.

How to get a quote for special goods

1. Send the product name, model, photos and what the battery, magnet or liquid is.
2. Attach the MSDS, the UN38.3 test summary for batteries, and any test or identification reports you already have.
3. State the battery type, Wh rating and whether batteries are inside, packed with or separate from the product.
4. Give the quantity, total weight, carton count and destination.
5. Send it with the quote form — we check the documents and confirm whether and how the goods can ship, and at what price.

Our published rates are for general cargo; special goods always get a personal quote after this check. More answers are in our FAQ on special goods.