How do I ship or transport lithium batteries in Australia?

Lithium batteries are dangerous goods. They move under UN 3480 (lithium ion batteries) or UN 3481 (contained in or packed with equipment), Class 9, and every cell or battery must be of a type proved to meet the tests in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, sub-section 38.3 before transport in Australia. SOLiCORE is certified to UN 38.3.

For a working, correctly packaged battery from a compliant supplier, this is routine and handled by the freight arrangement. The two situations that catch people out are worth planning for in advance:

Damaged or defective batteries must be marked “DAMAGED/DEFECTIVE LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES” and packed to specific packing instructions. Not every carrier will take them.

Batteries for disposal or recycling travel under a dedicated provision, marked “LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR DISPOSAL” or “LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR RECYCLING”.

The practical implication for remote-site work: the removal is harder than the installation. A failed lithium bank at a site three hours from a highway needs compliant packaging, correct marking and a carrier willing to take Class 9 damaged goods. Lead-acid has no equivalent burden. Build the end-of-life logistics into the project at the start, and ask your supplier whether they manage the removal or leave it with you.