US to Tighten Air Cargo Rules for Lithium Batteries in 2025
New US regulations for air transport of lithium batteries will be implemented in phases starting in 2025, focusing on capacity limits, packaging testing, and label updates. From 2026, all lithium battery cells and packs must be transported at a state of charge (SOC) not exceeding 30% of their rated capacity. A new 3-meter stacking test is introduced, and labels are renamed to cover sodium-ion batteries. The FAA prohibits the air transport of damaged batteries. Cross-border e-commerce sellers need to pay close attention to the new regulations and adjust their strategies to ensure compliant transportation.