Battery products
Tell us whether the cargo contains lithium-ion, lithium-metal, lead-acid or another battery chemistry. Include the battery and equipment model details, not only the finished product’s marketing name.
VELFREIGHT · CHINA-ORIGIN LOGISTICS
Battery Shipping from China & Special-Cargo Review
VelFreight accepts battery cargo subject to shipment-specific review of the battery, packaging, documents and proposed route. Liquids, powders and other special goods are assessed against the selected carrier and route before we confirm whether transport can be arranged.
DECLARE THE ACTUAL PRODUCT
Start with what is inside the shipment.
We handle enquiries for battery products and equipment containing batteries, alongside general commercial and ecommerce cargo. Acceptance is based on the exact product and proposed movement. A previous shipment, a similar model or an ordinary parcel service name does not confirm that the new shipment is acceptable.
Send the battery manufacturer and model, chemistry, electrical ratings, configuration, quantity, packaging and condition with your enquiry. We review suitable transport options and identify the documents and preparation required for the proposed channel. Do not send the cargo for collection or warehouse receipt until those arrangements are confirmed.
Configuration and condition
Identify batteries shipped on their own, packed with equipment or installed in equipment, and disclose the actual condition. Damaged, defective, recalled, used or waste batteries require explicit review and may be prohibited on the proposed service.
Liquids and powders
Provide the exact product identity, composition, intended use, quantity, packaging and available technical or safety information. Acceptance depends on the product classification, carrier, route and applicable rules.
Other special characteristics
Declare unusual weight, shape, fragility, handling needs or regulated contents. We assess the actual transport requirements; we do not accept unlawful goods, carrier-banned goods or noncompliant special cargo.
BUILD A PRODUCT-SPECIFIC ENQUIRY
The facts needed before we can assess a battery shipment.
| Information | Include in the enquiry | How it supports review |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer and model | Battery manufacturer, battery model, equipment model and product photographs. | Documents need to relate to the battery and product actually being shipped. |
| Battery chemistry | Exact chemistry, such as lithium-ion, lithium-metal or lead-acid; confirm with the manufacturer if uncertain. | Different chemistries can have different transport classification and preparation requirements. |
| Ratings and quantity | Rated voltage, capacity, watt-hour rating where applicable, lithium content where relevant, units per package and total quantity. | The technical facts are needed to assess the applicable requirements; do not estimate unknown ratings. |
| Configuration | Whether batteries are standalone, packed with equipment or contained in equipment. | The way batteries are offered for transport affects the review and required preparation. |
| Condition | Whether new or used, plus any damage, defect, recall or waste status. | Condition can change the available transport options or make the goods unacceptable. |
| Packing and shipment | Packing photographs, final outer dimensions and gross weights, origin, destination and required timing. | The selected route must be able to accept the actual shipping units. |
Use manufacturer information to resolve missing details. If documents name a different model or show a different configuration, tell us before booking so the discrepancy can be reviewed.
DOCUMENTS HAVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES
Provide the records that apply to the actual battery.
UN 38.3 test and test-summary requirements apply where relevant to lithium and specified sodium-ion batteries; they are not a blanket requirement for every battery chemistry. Match the applicable records to the manufacturer and battery model being shipped. An SDS/MSDS can support information review when requested, but it does not replace transport classification, applicable test evidence or a required transport declaration. IATA explains these distinctions in its 2026 lithium and sodium-ion battery guidance.
| Document or record | Purpose | Scope to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Product and battery specification | Connect the model, chemistry, ratings and configuration to the actual cargo. | Use current manufacturer information for the product being offered. |
| Applicable battery test records | Support the relevant testing and test-summary requirements. | Confirm which records apply to the battery type and model; do not treat UN 38.3 as universal for all batteries. |
| SDS / MSDS or technical safety information | Supply product or substance information requested during the review. | An SDS/MSDS is not itself carrier acceptance or a substitute for the other required records. |
| Transport appraisal or declaration | Provide the classification or shipment declaration required for the cargo and movement. | The need, format and responsible preparer depend on the mode, route and applicable requirements. |
| Packaging records or certificates | Support the packing requirements applying to the approved shipment. | Dangerous-goods packaging documentation is requested where applicable, not assumed for every consignment. |
| Invoice and packing list | Identify the products, quantities, values, packages and trading parties accurately. | Commercial records must match the declared contents and final shipping units. |
We confirm the document list for the selected service. A complete file still needs to be accepted for the proposed route; paperwork alone does not guarantee space, carrier approval or permission to transport.
PREPARE ONLY AFTER THE CHANNEL IS CONFIRMED
Packing review connects the goods to the carrier requirements.
Our packing and reinforcement service can include the agreed battery insulation, short-circuit protection, individual packaging, outer-package labels and supporting-document checks. The precise preparation follows the confirmed battery classification and transport requirements. We do not use one generic packing instruction for every battery shipment.
Provide photographs showing the product and proposed packaging. We check the declared configuration against the packing plan and identify the work needed before release. Final package dimensions and gross weights are recorded after any approved reinforcement or repacking.
Air, ocean, rail and parcel services have different acceptance conditions, and carrier restrictions may be stricter than the general rules. We review the proposed mode, route and any transfers before confirming a plan. IATA’s official dangerous-goods information provides further context for air transport; it is not approval for an individual shipment.
REVIEW BEFORE COLLECTION
How a special-cargo enquiry becomes a shipping plan.
- Disclose the full cargo. Send the product facts, battery or substance details, shipment measurements, origin and destination.
- Provide the applicable records. We review the technical and commercial file and ask for any missing or mismatched information needed for the channel assessment.
- Assess the carrier and route. We check whether the actual cargo, configuration, condition and packing can be considered for the proposed service.
- Confirm the work and quotation. Agree the accepted scope, packing or documentation tasks, applicable charges and handling instructions.
- Prepare and check the final units. Complete the confirmed packaging and document requirements before the carrier or warehouse handover.
- Release under the agreed plan. Arrange collection or dispatch only after the required checks and acceptance are complete. Any change to the product or packing triggers a review.
CLEAR ACCEPTANCE BOUNDARIES
Questions to settle before shipping.
Can you ship batteries from China?
Yes. Battery cargo is part of our service scope, with availability confirmed for the actual battery chemistry, configuration, condition, packing, documents and route. Send the full product details before arranging collection.
Does every battery need UN 38.3?
No. UN 38.3 requirements apply to the relevant lithium and sodium-ion battery types under the applicable rules. Other chemistries require their own assessment. We confirm the appropriate records for the actual cargo and transport mode.
Is an MSDS enough to approve a shipment?
No. An SDS/MSDS does not replace the necessary transport classification, applicable test records, packing requirements or carrier approval. The complete requirement set depends on the goods and proposed movement.
Can liquids and powders use the same channel as ordinary goods?
Only if the specific product has been assessed and accepted for that channel. Provide product identity, composition, intended use, quantities and available supporting information; do not describe regulated contents as general cargo.
What if I cannot obtain the required documents?
We cannot accept special cargo that lacks the compliance documentation required for the agreed movement. Resolve the missing records with the manufacturer or appropriate responsible party before shipping.
Are damaged or recalled batteries accepted?
Tell us their condition at the start. These goods require a separate review and may be prohibited for the proposed mode or carrier. Do not place them in a standard shipment or dispatch them without explicit confirmation.
SEND YOUR SHIPMENT DETAILS
Send the battery or special-cargo file for review.
Email the manufacturer and model details, chemistry, configuration, relevant ratings, quantity, condition, packing photographs and available documents. Include the origin, destination, final package measurements and required arrival date.
Our business team receives enquiries by email and WhatsApp 24/7. We confirm the proposed work, charges, exclusions and next action for your shipment. Our website brief tool prepares a checklist in your browser; it does not send an enquiry.