UN 38.3 Testing — Lithium Battery Transportation Safety Compliance
UN 38.3 testing refers to safety and performance tests required for lithium cells and batteries under Section 38.3 of the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria.
UN 38.3 compliance is mandatory for the transportation of lithium batteries by air, sea, rail, or road.
All lithium batteries must successfully pass UN 38.3 testing before being shipped commercially.
Regulatory Background
UN 38.3 is developed by the United Nations and adopted globally by international transportation regulations, including:
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (air transport)
IMDG Code (sea transport)
ADR / RID (road and rail transport)
UN 38.3 test results are recognized worldwide and form the foundation of lithium battery transport compliance.
Products Subject to UN 38.3 Testing
UN 38.3 testing applies to:
Lithium-ion cells and batteries
Lithium metal cells and batteries
Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries
Batteries installed in equipment
Batteries packed with equipment
Both standalone batteries and battery-powered products may require evaluation.
UN 38.3 Test Requirements
A standard UN 38.3 test program consists of eight tests designed to simulate transportation conditions:
T1 — Altitude Simulation
T2 — Thermal Test
T3 — Vibration
T4 — Shock
T5 — External Short Circuit
T6 — Impact / Crush (cells only)
T7 — Overcharge
T8 — Forced Discharge (primary cells)
Test selection depends on battery type and configuration.
Typical UN 38.3 Testing Workflow
1) Battery Classification and Technical Review
Evaluation of battery chemistry, capacity, design, and configuration to define applicable test scope.
2) Sample Preparation and Preconditioning
Preparation of representative samples in accordance with UN requirements prior to testing.
3) Laboratory Testing Execution
Testing is conducted under controlled conditions following UN test procedures and acceptance criteria.
4) Data Review and Compliance Evaluation
Results are reviewed to confirm compliance or identify failure modes requiring corrective action.
5) Test Report and Summary Documentation
A UN 38.3 test report and summary are issued to support transportation and regulatory requirements.
Deliverables
Typical UN 38.3 deliverables include:
UN 38.3 test report
UN 38.3 Test Summary (mandatory for transport)
Technical data records and test conditions
Support documentation for carriers and logistics providers
These documents are required by airlines, freight forwarders, and shipping companies.
Why UN 38.3 Compliance Matters
Non-compliant lithium batteries may result in:
Transport refusal by carriers
Customs delays or shipment rejection
Safety incidents during transport
Legal and commercial liability
UN 38.3 testing is essential to ensure safe and compliant global transportation of lithium batteries.
Start Your UN 38.3 Testing Project
Provide your battery specifications, cell chemistry, capacity, and transport scenario to receive a UN 38.3 testing plan and quotation. Our team supports end-to-end UN 38.3 compliance, from test planning to report and summary issuance.