IATA published guidance implementing the March 27, 2026 ICAO addendum on power banks. Passengers are limited to a maximum of 2 power banks, must carry them in carry-on baggage only, and cannot recharge power banks or use them to charge devices during flight. Power banks rated 100-160 Wh will not be permitted under the 68th Edition DGR (2027) due to safety concerns over thermal runaway incidents and non-conforming manufacturers.
IATA issued guidance for aircraft operators on implementing power bank safety changes announced by ICAO on March 27, 2026. The guidance addresses safety measures following incidents involving overheating power banks on aircraft. Operators may require spare batteries to be carried at low state of charge (less than 25% indicated charge) and may require additional separation between multiple spare batteries. The guidance includes escalation processes and referral to specialists when required.
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations 67th Edition (2026), effective January 1, 2026, makes the 30% state of charge (SoC) limit mandatory for additional lithium-ion battery configurations. Previously recommended, the SoC ≤ 30% requirement is now mandatory for UN 3481 (lithium ion batteries packed with equipment, cells/batteries > 2.7 Wh) and UN 3556 (vehicles, lithium ion battery powered, battery > 100 Wh). Shippers must implement internal controls for pre-shipment charge verification and documentation workflows. Special Provision A331 allows shipments exceeding 30% SoC with written approval from State of Origin and State of Operator.
IATA released an updated Battery Guidance Document for the transport of lithium metal, lithium ion, and sodium ion batteries. The document is aligned with the 2025-2026 Edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions and the 67th Edition (2026) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, providing practical implementation guidance for battery shipping compliance.
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations 67th Edition (2026), effective January 1, 2026, establishes new UN numbers for sodium-ion batteries with organic electrolyte: UN 3551 (sodium ion batteries, standalone) and UN 3552 (sodium ion batteries contained in or packed with equipment). Sodium-ion batteries with aqueous alkali electrolyte continue to be transported as UN 2795 (Batteries, wet, filled with alkali). Classification follows the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Sub-section 38.3. Shippers must ensure proper classification and documentation for sodium-ion battery shipments by air.
IATA DGR 67th Edition introduces new UN numbers for batteries installed in cargo transport units: UN 3563 for lithium metal batteries and UN 3564 for sodium ion batteries. These new classifications address the specific hazard considerations for large-scale battery installations in cargo containers, distinct from individual battery shipments. New hybrid vehicle classifications under UN 3166 are also provided.
The 67th edition of IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations takes effect January 1, 2026. This edition incorporates amendments from the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel for the 2025-2026 Technical Instructions and changes adopted by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board. Key battery-related changes include extended state of charge requirements for batteries packed with equipment, revised packing instructions for data loggers and cargo tracking devices, and updated operator variations for spare lithium batteries.
IATA published Addendum 1 to the 67th Edition (2026) of the Dangerous Goods Regulations. The addendum contains amendments addressing provisions for data loggers, cargo tracking devices, lithium and sodium-ion battery shipping requirements, and spare battery provisions under Section 2. This addendum modifies the base 67th edition that took effect on January 1, 2026.
IATA updated the Passengers Travelling with Lithium Batteries guidance document for the 2026 Regulations. The guidance provides information for airline passengers on various devices containing lithium batteries including power banks, small vehicles, e-cigarettes, smart luggage, baggage tags, and tracking devices. It is based on the 2025-2026 Edition of ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.
The 2026 Battery Guidance Document provides updated guidance for transporting lithium metal, lithium-ion, and sodium-ion batteries by air. Revised for the 2026 Regulations, this document assists shippers, freight forwarders, and ground handlers in understanding classification, packing, marking, labeling, and documentation requirements. It includes guidance on battery-powered cargo tracking devices and data loggers, as well as updated FAQs for complying with the 67th Edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Starting January 1, 2026, lithium batteries packed with equipment must be shipped at a state of charge not exceeding 30% of their rated capacity. This extends the existing 30% SoC requirement which previously applied only to lithium metal and lithium ion batteries shipped by themselves (not packed with or installed in equipment). Shippers must verify and document SoC compliance for all lithium battery shipments packed with equipment.
IATA published the 13th edition (2026) of the Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) manual, incorporating significant changes and amendments for battery air transport compliance. The updated edition includes new packing instructions, marking requirements, and guidance for lithium and sodium-ion battery shipments. Battery-related updates dominate the 2026 manuals due to a 25% year-on-year increase in lithium batteries transported as cargo by air.
IATA issued Addendum 1 to the 66th Edition Dangerous Goods Regulations on April 30, 2025. The addendum updates provisions for data loggers and cargo tracking devices, revises adequate instruction requirements for Section II lithium and sodium ion battery packing instructions (PI 966, PI 967, PI 969, PI 970, PI 977, PI 978), and clarifies exceptions for battery-powered tracking devices. The addendum ensures alignment with updated ICAO Technical Instructions.
IATA issued updated guidance for passengers traveling with lithium batteries, revised for the 2025 regulations. Based on the 2025-2026 Edition of ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and the 66th Edition (2025) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. The document addresses different limitations and requirements for lithium batteries transported by air as cargo versus carried by passengers, helping airlines and passengers understand safe transport obligations.
The 66th edition of IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (2025) introduced new UN numbers and packing instructions for sodium-ion batteries with liquid organic electrolytes. This marks the first specific regulatory provisions for sodium-ion batteries in air transport regulations. New packing instructions PI 977 and PI 978 were added for sodium-ion batteries, providing classification and shipping requirements paralleling lithium-ion battery provisions. Packing Instructions 952 and 960 were amended to encompass sodium-ion battery powered vehicles.