Which UN number is used for lithium ion batteries that are not removed from the device they power during shipping?

Which UN number is used for lithium ion batteries that are not removed from the device they power during shipping?

• A. Un 3480
• B. Un 3481
• C. Un 3090
• D. Un 3091

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that UN numbers reflect how the batteries are packaged, not just their type. Lithium ion batteries can be shipped either by themselves or while installed in a device. When they are shipped on their own, the number is UN 3480. But when the batteries are not removed from the device they power—so they’re still contained in the equipment or packed with it—the appropriate designation is UN 3481. Since this question specifies that the batteries are not removed from the device during shipping, they’re considered contained in equipment, which makes UN 3481 the correct choice. For contrast, lithium metal batteries (not the same as lithium ion) use different numbers (UN 3090/3091), and would not apply here.

The key idea is that UN numbers reflect how the batteries are packaged, not just their type. Lithium ion batteries can be shipped either by themselves or while installed in a device. When they are shipped on their own, the number is UN 3480. But when the batteries are not removed from the device they power—so they’re still contained in the equipment or packed with it—the appropriate designation is UN 3481.

Since this question specifies that the batteries are not removed from the device during shipping, they’re considered contained in equipment, which makes UN 3481 the correct choice. For contrast, lithium metal batteries (not the same as lithium ion) use different numbers (UN 3090/3091), and would not apply here.