Lithium-ion batteries are dangerous goods: in road transport the rules of the ADR, Class 9, apply – with the UN numbers UN 3480 for cells and batteries shipped loose and UN 3481 for batteries contained in equipment or packed with equipment. Anyone who makes mistakes with packaging, marking or documentation risks fines, held-up shipments and, in the worst case, insurance cover. Speed Logistics transports lithium-ion batteries ADR-compliantly as direct transport – from individual industrial cells to palletised series production.
Typical shipments: LiFePO4 storage modules, traction batteries for e-mobility and industrial trucks, tool batteries, UPS and home-storage systems, as well as equipment with built-in batteries. You give us the UN number, watt-hours, type of packaging and quantity – we check the transport requirements and quote a fixed price within a few hours.
ADR requirements: what applies to battery transport
- Classification under UN 3480 (batteries alone) or UN 3481 (in/with equipment) including the correct special provisions
- UN-approved packaging or permitted packing method, Class 9A hazard label and marking with the UN number
- Transport document with dangerous-goods particulars in accordance with ADR 5.4.1
- Trained drivers and prescribed equipment on board; load securing against short circuit and damage
- For small quantities: relief under Special Provision 188 – we check whether it applies to your shipment
Special case: damaged, defective and prototype batteries
Damaged or defective cells (for example after a recall or from quality assurance) and prototypes are subject to stricter rules – up to and including special salvage packaging and individual approvals. We plan such transports together with your dangerous goods safety adviser: the packaging concept, route and documentation are agreed before departure so the shipment travels in legal compliance. We also organise the return of used batteries to recycling operations in an ADR-compliant way.
Direct transport instead of a network: less handling, less risk
With batteries in particular, every transhipment is a risk – mechanical damage is the most common cause of thermal events. With direct transport your shipment is loaded once, secured and delivered without transhipment. The dispatch team monitors the journey via GPS, the consignee is notified, and you receive the CMR consignment note with complete dangerous-goods documentation. Vehicle sizes from the Sprinter to the articulated lorry cover individual modules as well as complete battery batches.
Costs and international transports
The price depends on quantity, dangerous-goods classification, lane and deadline; because of documentation and trained personnel, dangerous goods transports are above the level of ordinary freight – depending on lane and lead time we first quote a guide value and then a binding fixed price. For exports to non-EU countries such as Türkiye or Central Asia, Speed Logistics additionally handles the complete customs clearance from EXW to DDP.
How your battery transport works
After your enquiry with UN number, watt-hours and packaging details, we check the applicable ADR requirements and confirm which marking and papers the shipment needs. We coordinate the transport document with your shipping department or dangerous goods safety adviser – so missing or incorrect details are spotted before collection, not during an inspection. On loading day a suitably instructed driver takes the shipment, checks packaging and marking for obvious defects and secures the load against slipping and damage. During the journey the shipment can be tracked via GPS; after delivery you receive the signed consignment note together with the dangerous-goods documentation for your records.