Light-up hairbands, flashing pins, or glow-in-the-dark costume gear look fun—but batteries inside them can turn a routine shipment into a customs or airline issue fast.
To legally ship battery-powered accessories, brands must follow international rules on lithium battery classification, packaging, labeling, and carrier declarations—especially for air freight.
At AceAccessory, we help clients navigate these battery shipping challenges while keeping their glow-in-the-dark collections safe, compliant, and on time.
What are the rules for shipping batteries?
Shipping batteries—especially lithium ones—is highly regulated due to their fire risk. This applies to both loose batteries and batteries installed in accessories.
Battery shipping rules depend on the type, size, quantity, and shipping method. Most lithium batteries require special packaging, labeling, and documentation—especially for air transport.
Key battery classifications and rules:
| Battery Type | Common In Accessories | Shipping Rules Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline (AAA, AA) | Yes | Usually unrestricted, but still need labeling |
| Lithium-ion (rechargeable) | Yes | Strict rules: max 100Wh, must prevent short circuit |
| Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) | Sometimes | Limits by weight; special labels and UN codes needed |
| Button Cell (coin) | Yes | Usually exempt if installed, but watch quantity |
If you’re using lithium batteries, you must declare them under UN3481 (contained in equipment) or UN3091 (packed with equipment). Without this, air freight carriers may reject or delay the shipment.
Is it OK to ship something with batteries in it?
Yes—but only if you follow the correct packaging, marking, and documentation procedures. Many global retailers refuse suppliers who skip these steps.
It is permitted to ship products with batteries inside, but only under strict international air and sea transport regulations—including limits on battery power, type, and documentation.
When accessories with batteries are allowed:
- If the batteries are fully installed in the product (e.g. light-up hairpin with fixed battery case)
- If battery size is within airline-approved limits (typically under 100 watt-hours)
- If each package is correctly labeled with “Lithium battery” handling sticker or IATA-compliant notice
- If carrier and forwarder are notified in advance with correct MSDS and packing declaration
We regularly ship light-up costume headbands with lithium coin cells pre-installed. To stay compliant, we use foam-lined inner trays, flame-retardant liners, and bilingual hazard labels.
How do you ship electronics with batteries?
Shipping electronics like light-up or sound-enabled accessories is a multi-step process. It requires coordination with the factory, freight forwarder, and customs broker.
To ship electronics with batteries, package them securely, label boxes with proper UN codes, provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and notify your logistics provider early.
Our battery shipping checklist at AceAccessory:
-
Battery Type Confirmation
- Identify battery chemistry and placement (in product or packed with it)
-
Get the MSDS and UN Classification
- We create a Material Safety Data Sheet for the battery and determine if it’s UN3481 or UN3091
-
Use Approved Inner Packaging
- Bubble wrap or plastic clamshell to prevent movement
- Conductive material separation to prevent short circuits
-
Apply Correct Shipping Labels
- Lithium battery label + cargo aircraft only label if needed
- Include English and Chinese warnings
-
Notify Freight Forwarder in Advance
- Book space on flights that allow battery cargo
- Provide documents for customs clearance
When needed, we also help clients ship test samples via express courier using batteries under exemption rules, allowing for fast prototype review without waiting for full compliance filing.
What are the rules for transport of batteries?
Transport rules come from international aviation and maritime regulations. These include IATA (air), IMDG (sea), and local customs.
Battery transport rules vary by shipping mode, but all require proper labeling, quantity limits, and certified packaging to prevent fire or leakage during transit.
Battery regulations by mode:
| Transport Type | Rule Authority | Key Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Air Cargo | IATA DGR | Strictest rules, requires UN label, max 2 batteries per box |
| Sea Freight | IMDG Code | Allows more quantity, still requires outer packaging labels |
| Courier (DHL/UPS) | Internal rules | Often limit lithium shipments or charge extra fees |
| Land Freight | DOT (USA) | Less strict but still follows UN number and label guidelines |
We once had a European customer whose Halloween order was delayed because their forwarder didn’t pre-declare lithium coin cells inside flashing hair bows. Since then, we’ve built a full battery checklist to help each client avoid this mistake.
Conclusion
Battery-powered accessories make your products shine—literally. But shipping them wrong can stop them from ever leaving the port. That’s why we stay ahead on battery transport rules at AceAccessory—so your glow-in-the-dark clips and light-up pins arrive safely and on time.
