BP023 (With effect from 1 Jan 2025) ^{ISSUED (30 Dec 2024)}

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 66th Edition IATA DGR (2025) (with effect from 01 January 2025), 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 "BP022" to "BP023" to avoid confusion in the market. That means, “Best Practice BP023” will replace “BP022” with effect from 1 Jan 2025.  

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 the BP023 for your easy reference:

Part 1 – Classification – Lithium Ion Batteries (Rechargeable)

Points Added under the graphic in the centre

•     1st Jan to 31st Dec 2025:

PI 966 Section I & Section II: Recommended SoC not exceeding 30%

UN 3481 PI966 Section I and Section II: Recommended SoC not exceeding 30% or an indicated battery capacity not exceeding 25%

PI 967 Section I & Section II: Recommended SoC not exceeding 30% or an indicated battery capacity not exceeding 25%

Part 2 – Documentation / Packaging & Labelling / Packing Requirements

Documentation

•     Item amended under UN3481 & UN3091 Section II:

*Where packages of Section II lithium batteries from multiple packing instructions are included one airwaybill, the compliance statement for the different lithium battery types and/or packing instructions may be combined into a single statement provided that the statement identifies the applicable lithium battery type(s) and packing instruction numbers.

Packaging & Labelling

•     Item Amended under “Each package must be capable of withstanding a force applied to the top surface equivalent to the total weight of identical packages stacked to a height of 3m for a duration of 24 hours.”

PI967, PI970 under UN3481 & UN3091 Section I and PI966, PI967, PI969 & PI970 under UN3481 & UN3091 Section II will be applicable.

•     Footnote 3: “Lithium Battery Mark” has been replaced by “Battery Mark”.

•     Footnote 2 & 5 had been deleted while Footnote 4 had replaced the previous * NOTE 2.

Part 3 – Lithium Battery Hazard Label and Lithium Battery Mark

Battery mark for Section IB and II

•      Item Updated: “Lithium Battery Mark” has been replaced by “Battery Mark”

Part 6 – Case Sharing

•     More cases Added.

Part 7 – Other Recommended Practice

•      Item Updated: Three-hour observation: If a package containing lithium batteries falls on the ground after acceptance, the package shall be placed in an isolated area inside the warehouse. After at least three hours of observation, if there are no irregularities (e.g. no heat or smoke emitted), the package, it can be planned for continued transportation.

Part 8 – Un/Mis-declared lithium battery incidents summary (HKG 2019-2022)

•     Figures updated from ex-HKG 2019-2023 to ex-HKG 2019-2024.

•     Items Updated under: “Shipment containing un/mis-declared lithium battery - examples of goods description on Air Waybill.”

[Download here]

For BP022, 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]