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This update contains important information from IDX regarding the transportation of Lithium Ion batteries. The latest rules affect how Lithium Ion batteries are carried on-board passenger aircraft as well as the way they are classified, labeled, and packed when transported as air cargo or ground freight.

Guideline Summary of IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as of 1/1/09 - Commercial Air Travel

Lithium Ion Batteries less than 100Wh

You can safely carry on-board an unlimited amount of spare batteries, provided you take precautions by covering any exposed terminals with tape or put them in an insulated plastic bag. All IDX batteries comply within this category (including disengaged ENDURA ELITE cartridges).

Lithium Ion Batteries over 100Wh and less than 160Wh

You can safely carry on-board a maximum of two (2) spare batteries, taking safety precautions as noted above. You can carry on-board one (1) extra battery if it is physically installed or attached to a camera or other equipment.

Lithium Ion Batteries over 160Wh (Non-IDX products)

Carry-on of any spare battery over 160Wh is not allowed under any circumstances. You cannot carry-on or check-in this size battery, even if it is attached or installed in a camera or equipment. To transport batteries over 160Wh, you have to ship it as separate cargo and classified as Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods.

Lithium Ion Batteries as Check-In Baggage You cannot check-in any spare batteries as baggage regardless of the battery watt hour (Wh) rating. However, if the battery is less than 160Wh and is physically installed or attached to a camera or equipment, you can transport this as check-in baggage.

IDX Battery Rating Reference Table

Product	Wh Rating	PDF
ENDURA ELITE	136 Wh
*PC-14 Cartridge x 2	68 Wh x2
E-7S	68 Wh
E-10S	93 Wh
E-50	55 Wh
E-50S	55 Wh
E-80	82 Wh
E-80S	82 Wh
E-HL9	88 Wh
E-HL9S	88 Wh
NP-L7	68 Wh
NP-L7S	68 Wh
NP-L40	40 Wh
NP-L46	46 Wh
NP-L50	55 Wh
NP-L50S	55 Wh
SSL-VGB50	37 Wh
SL-VBD50	37 Wh
POWER CUBE - BLUE LABEL (STEADICAM)	84 Wh
POWER CUBE - BLACK LABEL (STEADICAM)

*ENDURA ELITE contains two removable PC-14 power cartridges at 68 Wh each. Its design allows simple removal of one cartridge from the battery casing prior to transport. Pack safely and re-install the cartridge after travel.

Luggage on passenger aircraft

- Carry-On Baggage

	Carry-on Baggage
	On Equipment	Spares
E-7/E-7S Qty. Allowed	Yes Unlimited
E-10/E-10S Qty. Allowed	Yes Unlimited
E-HL9/E-HL9S Qty. Allowed	Yes Unlimited
NP-L7/NP-L7S Qty. Allowed	Yes Unlimited
ELITE Qty. Allowed	Yes (1) ELITE on equipment plus (2) spare ELITE OR Unlimited PC-14 cartridges
SSL-VBG50/SL-VBD50 Qty. Allowed	Yes Unlimited

• Please confirm with your airline carrier to determine any local rules and policies before traveling.
• Please do not use PowerLink (batteries linked together) during transportation of equipment.
• Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuiting. (see details within this document)

There is no limit to the number of IDX batteries a passenger can carry as baggage onto a commercial airliner (each is less than 100Wh including the disengaged ENDURA ELITE power cartridge battery). IDX Lithium Ion batteries listed in the table above are suitable for transport by air as non-restricted articles for carry-on baggage under the 2009/2010 DOT/IATA regulations.

If you choose to transport an ENDURA ELITE with its two cartridges intact, you can carry on-board a maximum of two (2) spare batteries. You can also carry on-board one (1) extra ELITE battery if it is physically installed or attached to a camera or equipment. We recommend passengers traveling with 100-160Wh batteries to first secure approval for transport from the airline on which they are traveling.

Spare batteries must be safely transported and individually protected to prevent short circuiting. Place the battery in the original packaging, plastic bag or protective pouch—packaging that completely encloses the battery. Insulate the terminals by taping over exposed terminals.

Click Here to link to a printable Letter of Certification that can be completed and submitted to airlines.

Luggage on passenger aircraft

- Check-In Baggage

	Check-in Baggage
	On Equipment	Spares
E-7/E-7S Qty. Allowed	Yes (1) on Equipment	No
E-10/E-10S Qty. Allowed	Yes (1) on Equipment	No
E-HL9/E-HL9S Qty. Allowed	Yes (1) on Equipment	No
NP-L7/NP-L7S Qty. Allowed	Yes (1) on Equipment	No
ELITE Qty. Allowed	Yes (1) on Equipment	No
SSL-VBG50/SL-VBD50 Qty. Allowed	Yes (1) on Equipment	No

• Please confirm with your airline carrier to determine any local rules and policies before traveling.
• Please do not use PowerLink (batteries linked together) during transportation of equipment.
• Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuiting. (see details within this document)

Passengers cannot check-in as baggage any spare batteries regardless of the battery watt-hour (Wh) rating. However, if your battery is less than 160Wh and is physically installed or attached to a camera or equipment, it can be transported as check-in baggage.

Cargo Transportation - Air Cargo

	Air Cargo Parcel Batteries Only	Air Cargo Parcel Batteries with Equipment
E-7/E-7S (1.19lbs/1.15lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here	Yes (1) on eqp. plus (2) spares per Eqp. OR Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here
E-10/E-10S (1.72lbs/1.65lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here	Yes (1) on eqp. plus (2) spares per Eqp. OR Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here
E-HL9/E-HL9S (1.63lbs/1.59lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here	Yes (1) on eqp. plus (2) spares per Eqp. OR Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here
NP-L7/NP-L7S (1.01lbs/1.01lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here	Yes (1) on eqp. plus (2) spares per Eqp. OR Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here
ELITE (2.76lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here	Yes (1) on eqp. plus (2) spares per Eqp. OR Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here
PC-14 (0.93lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here	N/A
SSL-VBG50/SL-VBD50 (0.55lbs) Qty. Allowed   Required Label Required Docume	Yes Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs)   click here click here	Yes (1) on eqp. plus (2) spares per Eqp. OR Up to **22lbs per box (10kgs) click here click here

   ** The box weight includes packed equipment and all carton materials.

• Please confirm with your carrier to determine any local rules and policies before shipping.
• Please do not use PowerLink (batteries linked together) during transportation of equipment.
• Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuiting. (see details within this document)

 

Weight - The quantity per package of IDX Lithium Ion batteries cannot exceed twenty-two (22) pounds and must be packed in strong, outer packaging. There is no limit to the amount of packages sent in one shipment, provided the weight of each individual package is less than 22 pounds (10 Kg).

Handling Label - Each package must be marked with a Lithium Ion battery handling label attached to two separate sides of the package without overlap on joint surfaces. The label design with all the required information is provided by IATA. The minimum size of the label is 4.72” x 4.33” (12cm x 11cm). IDX ensures that outbound air freight shipments contain the approved labeling. Click Here to link to a printable version of the label.

Letter of Certification - Each shipment must be accompanied with a document such as an air waybill with the following indicators:

• the package contains Lithium Ion batteries and classified as "Lithium-Ion battery, not restricted"
• the package must be handled with care and that a flammability hazard exists if the package is damaged
• inclusion of a telephone number for additional information in case of emergency
• special procedures should be followed in the event the package is damaged to include inspection and repackaging if necessary.

Click Here to link to a printable Letter of Certification that can be completed and submitted to air carrier of choice.

Durable Shipping Box Guidelines

• Each air cargo package must be capable of withstanding a 40-inch drop test in a UN approved drop-tested box in any orientation without:
  
  1) incurring damage to the batteries or cells
  
  2) the shifting of contents to allow battery to battery contact
  
  3) the release of contents
• You have to be able to show certification that the box containing the batteries has been subject to UN testing and these documents have to be supplied immediately when required, although it is not compulsory to send it with the shipment.
• It is allowable to also place the drop-tested box containing Lithium Ion batteries inside a standard outer carton. In this case, please notify your freight forwarder that batteries packed inside are in an approved inner box.
• Batteries must be packed in inner packaging that completely encloses the battery.
• Batteries must be protected so as to prevent short circuits. This includes protection against contact with conductive materials within the same packaging.
• All air cargo Lithium Ion battery shipments leaving IDX are packed in UN approved drop tested boxes. UN test certifications are available within this document.
• Remember that it's now required to indicate the watt-hour (Wh) rating on the battery case exterior.
• Please note that any Lithium Ion battery over 100Wh is classified as Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods and requires additional, detailed procedures. IDX therefore recommends customers disengage ENDURA ELITE power cartridges prior to shipment in order to comply with a battery rating under 100Wh to avoid Class 9 requirements.

Cargo Transportation – Ground Cargo

	Ground Cargo Parcel / Truck etc… Batteries Only	Ground Cargo Parcel / Truck etc… Batteries with Equipment
E-7/E-7S (1.19lbs/1.15lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to (12) pcs per box OR Up to **66lbs per box (30kgs) Not required Not required
E-7/E-7S (1.19lbs/1.15lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to (12) pcs per box OR Up to **66lbs per box (30kgs) Not required Not required
E-10/E-10 (1.72lbs/1.65lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to (12) pcs per box OR Up to **66lbs per box (30kgs) Not required Not required
E-HL9/E-HL9S (1.63lbs/1.59lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to (12) pcs per box OR Up to **66lbs per box (30kgs) Not required Not required
NP-L7/NP-L7S (1.01lbs/1.01lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to (12) pcs per box OR Up to **66lbs per box (30kgs) Not required Not required
ELITE (2.76lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to (6) pcs per box OR Up to **66lbs per box (30kgs) Not required Not required
PC-14 (0.93lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to (12) pcs per box OR Up to **66lbs per box (30kgs) Not required Not required
SSL-VBG50/SL-VBD50 (0.55lbs) Qty. Allowed Required Label Required Document	Yes Up to (12) pcs per box OR Up to **66lbs per box (30kgs) Not required Not required

   ** The box weight includes packed equipment and all carton materials.

• Please confirm with your carrier to determine any local rules and policies before shipping.
• Please do not use PowerLink (batteries linked together) during transportation of equipment.
• Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuiting. (see details within this document)

The major difference in regulations regarding ground freight of Lithium Ion batteries is the maximum package weight. For road freight, the maximum weight per package is sixty-six (66) pounds. Please see details on Durable Shipping Box section above as reference. IDX recommends following all the rules surrounding packaging, weight, labeling and supporting documentation apply anytime Lithium Ion batteries under 100Wh are shipped—even when customers are shipping back product to IDX for servicing. Take care when returning EDURA ELITE batteries that one PC-14 cartridge is removed from the battery casing prior to shipping and packed correctly. IDX will return the ELITE in the same safe manner; this will also ensure the package will not be considered under Class 9 standards.

Lithium Ion battery transportation regulations exist for the safety of all. IDX takes pride in manufacturing Lithium Ion batteries that are safe to carry on-board in quantity and transport by air. We strongly encourage our customers to follow the DOT/IATA rules; if you need further clarification on any part regarding the new transport mandates, please feel free to contact us.



Additional information on this subject can be found on the following websites:



DOT - Department of Transportation



IATA - International Air Transportation Association