Shipping company MSC requires declaration for SP 188 transports
The shipping company MSC has informed their customers that with immediate effect for shipping lithium batteries according to SP 188 of IMDG Code a declaration of the shipper is required.
The following documents are mandatory for lithium battery bookings, declared as non-hazardous cargo (Remark
Lithium Battery Service: Of course lithium cells and batteries as per SP 188 are considered hazardous goods but
with certain facilitations):
1. UN38.3 Battery Test Summary (BTS)
2. Material Safety data Sheet (MSDS)
3. Certificate Of Compliance with IMDG Code SP188
Remark Lithium Battery Service: It would be extremely helpful if shipping companies would refrain from using the
wording "non dangerous cargo“ for Special Provision 188 cells and batteries because this wording is misleading
and could lead to the conclusion to ignore the provisions of SP 188.
The mentioned documents must include (beside the other legally required standard data) the following information:
1. UN38.3 Battery Test Summary (BTS):
• MANUFACTURER NAME (identical to manufacturer name on MSDS and COC)
• MANUFACTURER ADDRESS + PHONE + EMAIL + WEBSITE
• TEST LABORATORY NAME
• TEST LABORATORY ADDRESS + PHONE + EMAIL + WEBSITE
• UNIQUE TEST REPORT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
• DATE OF TEST REPORT
• SPECIFICATION IF LITHIUM ION OR LITHIUM METAL CELL OR BATTERY
• MASS OF CELL OR BATTERY
• WATT-HOUR RATING OR LITHIUM CONTENT
• CELL / BATTERY / PRODUCT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
• CELL / BATTERY / PRODUCT MODEL NUMBER
• LIST OF TESTS CONDUCTED AND RESULTS (PASS / FAIL)
• REFERENCE TO ASSEMBLED TESTING REQUIREMENTS (i.e., (38.3.3 (f) and 38.3.3 (g))
• REFERENCE TO THE EDITION OF THE MANUAL OF TESTS AND CRITERIA USED
• SIGNATURE WITH NAME AND TITLE OF THE SIGNATORY
2. Material Safety Data Sheet:
• MANUFACTURER NAME (identical to manufacturer name on BTS and COC)
• MANUFACTURER ADDRESS + PHONE + EMAIL + WEBSITE
• DESCRIPTION OF BATTERY OR BATTERY (OR PRODUCT) MODEL NUMBER
• CLEAR TRANSPORT INFORMATION
• REFERENCE TO IMDG CODE SPECIAL PROVISION 188 AND DECLARATION THAT THE BATTERIES
COMPLY
3. Certificate Of Compliance with IMDG Code SP188
• MANUFACTURER NAME (identical to manufacturer name on BTS and MSDS)
• MANUFACTURER ADDRESS + PHONE + EMAIL + WEBSITE
• DATE OF CERTIFICATE
• CELL / BATTERY / PRODUCT MODEL NUMBER
• REFERENCE TO IMDG CODE SP188 AND DECLARATION THAT BATTERIES COMPLY
Remark Lithium Battery Service: The shipping companies should finally accept that for lithium batteries an SDS is
not required. The transport relevant information is included in the UN 38.3 Test Summary.
The list point 1 includes all information of the UN 38.3 Test Summary. In order to provide those you can use our
forms that you can find under downloads in our portal.
