BP022 (With effect from 1 Jan 2024) ^{ISSUED (21 Dec 2023)}

HAFFA and the CLG-DGWG remain at the forefront to introduce DG Best Practice to the Hong Kong air cargo industry in response to the latest changes in the requirement of consigning lithium batteries under the 65th Edition IATA DGR (2024) (with effect from 01 January 2024), and the increasing local/global dangerous goods safety concern. We worked together to provide an updated version of the Best Practice (BP) with operational guidance for Members, airlines and the industry. Please note the number of best practice is now changed from "BP021" to "BP022" to avoid confusion in the market. That means, “Best Practice BP022” will replace “BP021” with effect from 1 Jan 2024.  

Please note the best practice is jointly issued by HAFFA and the CLG-DGWG for industry reference only. Shippers and freight forwarders are required to follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, requirement of the HKCAD and the requirement of individual carriers for the air carriage of shipments containing lithium batteries at all times.

Please find below the major changes of BP022 for your easy reference:

Part 6- Case Sharing

Adding new cases about improper lithium battery shipment packing.

Part 7 – Other recommended practice

Adding photos and bullet points about observation period.

Part 8 – Un/Mis-declared lithium battery incidents summary

Including un-mis-declared lithium battery incidents up to Nov 2023.

[Download here]

For BP021, please Download here.

- White paper “Make Lithium Batteries Safe to Ship" of the IATA DGR ^{NEW (25 Oct 2023)}

[Download here] 

- Guidance Document for Lithium Batteries (2023)

[Download here] 

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulation (DGR)

- Significant changes to the 66th edition (2025) of the IATA DGR ^{NEW (05 Sep 2024)}

[Download here]

- Significant changes to the 65th edition (2024) of the IATA DGR ^{NEW (20 Dec 2023)}

[Download here]

- Significant changes to the 64th edition (2023) of the IATA DGR 

[Download here]

“Case Sharing for “Solar Street Light” Shipment”  新危險品最佳指引 - 「太陽能路燈」最佳指引 ^{ISSUED (01 Jun 2021)}

Recently a mis-declared Lithium Battery RLI shipment had been intercepted during Air-waybill acceptance with the AWB commodity name “Solar Street Light” Shipment” 太陽能路燈, declared under UN3481 PI967 Section II ELI.  It was later found that one large batteries pack installed in equipment which is over 260Wh and therefore should be classified as RLI UN3481 Section I. 

It is noted that some airlines may now request for more information (see details in the Best Practice) and will ask for further verification for any shipment declared “Solar Street Light” or similar declaration as PI966/967 Section II.  Or else, the shipment and/or the related ULD will be held at CTO after clarification while forwarder may also be requested to come to CTO for open box inspection if deemed necessary. 

In this regard, Freight Forwarders and/or Shippers are highly recommended to contact the individual airlines to check their latest requirements and/or pre-arrangement if required, and to be vigilant when accepting lithium battery equipment shipment and comply to latest IATA DG regulation. 

Please note the Case Sharing is jointly issued by the CLG-DGWG and HAFFA for industry reference only. Shippers and freight forwarders shall always follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, requirement of the HKCAD and the requirement of individual carriers for the air carriage of shipments containing lithium batteries at all times.

[Download here]