What the UN3480 classification means for buying and selling robot batteries.
UN3480 is the United Nations classification for lithium-ion batteries shipped by themselves — which is exactly what a standalone replacement robot battery is. It's regulated as Class 9 hazardous goods, and the rules bite everyone in the chain: manufacturers, resellers, and private sellers shipping a used pack.
The key thresholds: packs over 100 Wh (virtually every humanoid battery — a 421 Wh pack is well over) must ship under full dangerous-goods procedures by air, including a shipper's declaration, hazmat labeling, and state-of-charge at or below 30%. Ground transport in the US is somewhat more lenient but still requires proper packaging, terminal protection, and labeling.
What this means for you: if a seller offers to toss a robot battery in a regular parcel, that's a red flag — for legality and for safety. Legitimate sellers use hazmat-compliant packaging and carriers. And if you're the seller, check current IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations before quoting shipping — the rules update yearly.
UN3480 covers lithium-ion batteries shipped alone. UN3481 covers batteries packed with equipment (PI966) or contained in equipment (PI967) — e.g., a battery installed in the robot. Standalone spares are UN3480.
Airlines follow IATA rules: spare lithium batteries over 100 Wh need airline approval, and over 160 Wh are generally forbidden in passenger baggage. A 421 Wh humanoid pack ships as cargo under full dangerous-goods procedures — not in your suitcase.
Yes — and damaged, defective, or recalled batteries face even stricter rules (they may only ship by ground with special approval, or not at all). Never ship a swollen pack.