Shipping Lithium Batteries To Mexico: UN38.3 And Transport Rules

Lithium batteries are Class 9 dangerous goods and require a UN38.3 test report, a safety data sheet, compliant packaging and Class 9 marking for transport into Mexico. On the Mexican import side, batteries fall under NOM requirements including NOM-212-SCFI-2017, which limits mercury and cadmium content. For air transport, lithium ion cells and batteries shipped standalone must be offered at a reduced state of charge, and from 1 January 2026 this extends to batteries packed with equipment.

• UN38.3 is the United Nations transport test standard; a valid test report is required before lithium cells or batteries may be transported.
• Lithium batteries are classified as Class 9 dangerous goods and require corresponding packaging, marking and documentation.
• NOM-212-SCFI-2017 sets maximum permitted mercury and cadmium content by weight for batteries placed on the Mexican market.
• From 1 January 2026, lithium ion batteries packed with equipment, and vehicles powered by lithium ion or sodium ion batteries, must also be offered at a reduced state of charge unless approved otherwise.
• Products subject to NOMs generally must demonstrate compliance before customs release, although border verification options exist in some cases.

What documentation does a lithium battery shipment need?

A UN38.3 test report, a safety data sheet, a dangerous goods declaration where applicable, and packaging and marking that match the classification.

The UN38.3 test report is the foundational document. It certifies that the cell or battery has passed the United Nations transport tests covering conditions such as altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit and impact. Without it, compliant carriers will not accept the goods. A safety data sheet accompanies the shipment and describes the chemistry, hazards and handling requirements. Packaging must match the classification. Lithium batteries are Class 9, and the applicable packing instruction depends on whether cells are shipped alone, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment, and on watt-hour rating. Marking and labelling follow from that. One practical warning: the UN38.3 report belongs to the cell or battery model, and it comes from the manufacturer. If your supplier cannot produce it, that is a sourcing problem you must solve before you have inventory, not a paperwork step you can complete afterwards. Sellers who buy first and ask for documentation later frequently find the report does not exist for that specific model.

What does Mexico require on the import side?

NOM compliance in addition to transport rules, including NOM-212-SCFI-2017 on heavy metal content, and Spanish-language labelling where applicable.

Transport compliance gets the goods to the border. Mexican product regulation determines whether they may enter the market. Batteries placed on the Mexican market fall within the NOM framework. NOM-212-SCFI-2017 sets maximum permitted mercury and cadmium content by weight. Depending on the product and its classification, other NOMs may apply, including requirements relevant to electronic products and their labelling. Products subject to NOM requirements generally need to demonstrate compliance before customs release. In some circumstances verification at the border is available rather than certification in advance, but this depends on the specific NOM and the product, and it is not something to assume. As with everything in Mexican customs, the HS classification determines which requirements attach. A battery shipped as a component within a device may face different requirements from the same battery shipped standalone. Establish the classification first, then work out the regulatory consequences, rather than the other way round.

What about state of charge and air transport?

Standalone lithium ion cells and batteries must be offered at a reduced state of charge for air transport, and from 1 January 2026 this extends to batteries packed with equipment.

State of charge limits exist because a fully charged lithium cell carries more energy to release in a thermal event. For air transport, standalone lithium ion cells and batteries have been subject to a reduced state of charge requirement, commonly implemented as not more than 30 percent of rated capacity. From 1 January 2026 the scope widened. Lithium ion batteries packed with equipment, and vehicles powered by lithium ion or sodium ion batteries, must also be offered at a reduced state of charge unless the relevant States have approved otherwise. This matters for planning because it affects what you can send by air and how your supplier must prepare the goods. A shipment prepared at full charge is not a documentation problem you can fix at the airport; it is a physical condition of the goods. Ground transport across the US-Mexico land border follows dangerous goods rules for road rather than the air regime, but the underlying UN38.3 and packaging requirements still apply, and Mexican product certification requirements apply regardless of transport mode. Confirm the specific requirements for your battery type, watt-hour rating and packing configuration with your carrier before you book.

Requirement layers for lithium batteries into Mexico

Definitions

• UN38.3: UN38.3 is the United Nations transport test standard for lithium cells and batteries, and a valid test report is a prerequisite for compliant transport.
• NOM: A NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) is a mandatory Mexican technical standard, and products subject to one generally must demonstrate compliance for customs release.
• State of charge: State of charge is the proportion of a battery's rated capacity that is charged, and air transport rules limit it for lithium ion cells and batteries.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a UN38.3 report to ship batteries to Mexico?

Yes. UN38.3 testing is the transport prerequisite for lithium cells and batteries, and the test report is model-specific and comes from the manufacturer. Compliant carriers will not accept the goods without it.

Are lithium batteries dangerous goods?

Yes, they are Class 9 dangerous goods, which brings packaging, marking and documentation requirements that depend on watt-hour rating and whether cells ship standalone, with equipment, or in equipment.

What is NOM-212-SCFI-2017?

It is the Mexican standard setting maximum permitted mercury and cadmium content by weight for batteries placed on the Mexican market.

What changed for lithium batteries on 1 January 2026?

The reduced state of charge requirement for air transport widened to include lithium ion batteries packed with equipment and vehicles powered by lithium ion or sodium ion batteries, unless the relevant States approve otherwise.

Can I ship batteries by truck instead to avoid the rules?

Road transport follows its own dangerous goods regime rather than the air rules, but UN38.3 testing, Class 9 packaging and Mexican NOM requirements still apply. Changing mode changes some rules, not the requirement to comply.

Ship regulated categories with a broker who checks compliance before the goods move: BringGo Ship

Sources

• IATA, Lithium Batteries (iata.org)
• Secretaría de Economía, Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (gob.mx)
• ANAM, Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (anam.gob.mx)

Related Reading

• What documents you need to ship freight to Mexico
• NOM labeling requirements for Mexico
• How Mexico customs clearance works
• How to choose a customs broker for Mexico

Note: This content is for general information only and is not legal, tax or customs advice. Rates and rules can change often in 2026; verify the current details with an official source (SAT, DOF, CBP) or a licensed customs broker before acting.

How this was made: The BringGo Ship team chose the topic and the sources. The text was drafted with AI assistance, its figures and regulatory details were checked against official sources (DOF, SAT, ANAM, CBP), and the article was reviewed by our team before publication.