Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular DGAC 4/2015
Scooter
It has recently come to the attention of the Dangerous Goods
Office that scooter had been incorrectly consigned by shippers under
Section II requirements for excepted lithium ion batteries for export via
Hong Kong International Airport. Scooter is a general description that also
includes self-balancing wheel, self-balancing vehicle or similar wheeled
articles containing lithium ion batteries used for personal transportation.
The lithium ion batteries for scooter usually contain more than 100
Watt-hour of electrical energy and must be declared as Class 9 dangerous
goods when transported by air. The Watt-hour rating is calculated by
multiplying the rated capacity in ampere-hours (Ah) by the nominal
voltage (V).
For example: 8000mAh x 48V = 384 Watt-hour (note: 1000mAh = 1Ah)
2. When the lithium ion batteries are installed in the scooter, the
correct dangerous goods identifications for air transport are as follow:
UN Number: UN 3171
Proper shipping name: Battery-powered vehicle
Packing Instruction: PI 952
Or
UN Number: UN 3481
Proper shipping name: Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment
Packing Instruction: PI 967 Section I
3. Alternatively, if the lithium ion batteries are not installed in the
scooter but are packed inside the same package, the correct dangerous
goods identification for air transport is as follow:
UN Number: UN 3481
Proper shipping name: Lithium ion batteries packed with equipment
Packing Instruction: PI 966 Section I
4. Manufacturers of scooter should note that the lithium ion batteries
used to power the scooter must be tested to the safety standards of the UN
Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3. If the lithium ion
batteries are constructed of component lithium ion cells, the lithium ion
batteries must be tested separately from the component lithium ion cells.
5. Furthermore, shippers and freight forwarders must have attended
and passed a Dangerous Goods Regulations training course within 24
months prior to consigning scooter as Class 9 dangerous goods.
6. The Dangerous Goods Office would also like to remind airlines,
issuing carriers’ agents and handling agents to exercise extra vigilance
when accepting scooter for air transport that are claimed to comply with
Section II requirements for excepted lithium batteries. Cargo acceptance
personnel are urged to seek confirmation from shippers in case of doubt.
7. Should you have any query about this circular, please contact
Safety Officers (Dangerous Goods) at 2910 6981 or 2910 6982.
– END –
Issue date: 26 August 2015
An electronic version of this circular can be downloaded at
http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/DGAC.html