| Battery Classification |
Whether the product is shipped as lithium-ion cells or batteries packed alone |
UN3480 applies to lithium-ion cells and batteries shipped without the equipment they power. Lithium-ion products installed in or packed with equipment use different UN entries. |
SDS, product specification, commercial invoice description, and dangerous-goods classification |
The supplier uses the correct UN number, shipping name, and transport classification. |
| Cell Chemistry and Nominal Voltage |
Lithium-ion chemistry, nominal voltage, charge voltage, and discharge cut-off voltage |
Many conventional lithium-ion cells use approximately 3.6–3.7 V nominal voltage; exact values depend on chemistry and cell design. |
Technical datasheet, cell test report, and battery-management-system settings |
Electrical specifications are consistent across the datasheet, samples, and production units. |
| Capacity Verification |
Rated capacity, usable capacity, test temperature, discharge current, and end-of-discharge voltage |
Capacity should be compared under the same test conditions. Battery energy is calculated as nominal voltage × ampere-hours; for example, 3.7 V × 10 Ah equals approximately 37 Wh. |
Capacity test report, sampling plan, and independent laboratory results where required |
The supplier clearly distinguishes rated, nominal, and usable capacity instead of quoting only an ideal value. |
| Capacity Consistency |
Variation between cells, modules, and finished battery packs |
Ask for production tolerance limits, grading rules, voltage matching, internal-resistance matching, and end-of-line test procedures. |
Incoming inspection records, cell-grading procedure, and final inspection report |
Documented controls reduce the risk of weak cells, imbalance, and premature capacity loss. |
| Pricing Structure |
Unit price, tooling, battery-management system, packaging, testing, freight, and export charges |
Compare quotations on the same basis: EXW, FOB, FCA, CIF, or DDP. A low cell price may exclude UN packaging, dangerous-goods handling, inspection, and documentation. |
Formal quotation with currency, Incoterm, minimum order quantity, lead time, payment terms, and validity period |
The quotation separates one-time engineering costs from recurring unit costs and identifies all logistics surcharges. |
| Total Landed Cost |
Product price plus packaging, export handling, freight, insurance, duties, taxes, and destination charges |
Use one landed-cost model for every supplier. Dangerous-goods air freight can differ substantially from standard cargo rates. |
Freight quote, packing list, gross weight, carton dimensions, HS-code proposal, and customs documents |
The supplier provides shipment data early enough for an accurate logistics comparison. |
| Production Capacity |
Monthly output for the required cell format, battery configuration, and specification |
Do not assess capacity from total factory output alone. Confirm capacity for the exact model, chemistry, pack voltage, and production shift plan. |
Capacity statement, production schedule, equipment list, and recent order-fulfillment records |
Available capacity is supported by production records and a realistic lead-time commitment. |
| Minimum Order Quantity |
Minimum order for standard products, customized packs, and pilot production |
Customized dimensions, connectors, labels, firmware, and tooling normally require different minimum quantities and development fees. |
MOQ schedule, sample policy, tooling quotation, and pilot-production terms |
The supplier offers a clear path from prototype samples to repeat production. |
| UN 38.3 Compliance |
Whether the battery design has passed the applicable transport tests |
UN 38.3 testing covers transport-related conditions such as altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact or crush as applicable, overcharge, and forced discharge. |
UN 38.3 test report and current test summary for the exact battery model |
The documents identify the same model, configuration, and cell arrangement as the product being shipped. |
| Air-Transport Readiness |
Ability to prepare shipments under current dangerous-goods air-transport rules |
UN3480 shipments by air generally require compliance with the applicable ICAO Technical Instructions and airline or IATA dangerous-goods requirements, including packaging, marking, labeling, documentation, and state-of-charge rules. |
Shipper's Declaration when applicable, air-waybill data, package photos, and dangerous-goods acceptance checklist |
The supplier works with a qualified dangerous-goods forwarder and confirms airline acceptance before dispatch. |
| Packaging and Marking |
Inner protection, short-circuit prevention, outer packaging, labels, marks, and package limits |
Packaging must prevent movement and accidental activation or short circuit and must meet the applicable transport regulations for the shipment method. |
Packaging specification, UN packaging information where applicable, label artwork, and carton photographs |
Packaging is designed for the actual battery weight, quantity, terminals, and transport mode. |
| Safety Certifications |
Product safety testing, quality-system controls, and market-specific approvals |
IEC 62133-2 may be relevant for portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries. Additional requirements depend on the destination market and end application. |
Applicable test reports, certificates, quality manual, and scope of certification |
Certificates apply to the exact product family and have not expired or been altered. |
| Battery Management System |
Overcharge, over-discharge, overcurrent, short-circuit, temperature, and balancing protection |
Protection thresholds must match the cell chemistry, pack configuration, charger, operating temperature, and application load. |
BMS specification, protection-threshold table, firmware version, and functional test record |
The BMS design is validated with the actual cells and charger rather than added as a generic component. |
| Quality Control and Traceability |
Incoming inspection, process controls, final testing, batch identification, and defect handling |
Each shipment should be traceable to production date, cell batch, test results, and packaging records. |
Certificate of analysis, inspection plan, serial-number format, nonconformance procedure, and warranty policy |
Traceability supports fast investigation, recalls, warranty claims, and repeat-order consistency. |
| Export Documentation |
Commercial, customs, safety, and transport documents supplied before shipment |
A complete file may include commercial invoice, packing list, SDS, UN 38.3 test summary, transport declaration, certificate of origin when required, and customs data. |
Sample document package for the exact product and destination country |
Documents are consistent in model name, quantity, weight, lithium content, and shipper information. |
| Lead Time and Delivery Reliability |
Sample lead time, mass-production lead time, booking time, and historical on-time performance |
Separate production lead time from dangerous-goods booking, customs clearance, and final-mile delivery time. |
Production schedule, shipping plan, agreed delivery date, and delay-escalation process |
The supplier provides realistic dates and communicates quickly when transport conditions change. |
| Commercial and After-Sales Support |
Warranty coverage, technical response time, replacement policy, and engineering support |
The agreement should define warranty duration, excluded conditions, allowable capacity-retention criteria, claim evidence, and replacement responsibilities. |
Warranty terms, corrective-action procedure, technical contact, and service-level commitments |
Support obligations are written into the contract rather than based only on informal assurances. |
