Where can I get UN 38.3 testing to ship lithium batteries?
UN 38.3 (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria) is a transport test series — altitude, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact/crush, overcharge and forced discharge (T1–T8, applicability varies by cell or battery). It supports shipping classification, not product safety certification.
What the method covers
Lithium metal and lithium-ion cells and batteries, including those packed with or in equipment; a test summary is required by transport rules.
Applicability caveats
- UN 38.3 is not IEC 62133 or UL product safety — they answer different questions.
- Design changes can invalidate prior test results.
- Sample counts are set by the test series and are larger than many buyers expect.