Almost every RC car ships with a lithium battery (Li-ion or Li-Po). That makes the whole carton a dangerous goods shipment under international rules. It's not hard, but it adds paperwork and cost — and getting it wrong gets a shipment turned back at the border. Here's what to plan for.
1. The paperwork you need
- UN38.3 test report — certifies the cell passed transport safety tests. Keep it on file; carriers and customs ask for it.
- MSDS (SDS) — the material safety data sheet for the battery.
- Battery declaration — the DG form your freight forwarder files.
2. Dangerous-goods freight, not general
Lithium batteries must move as DG cargo with proper labelling (Class 9, UN3481 for batteries packed with equipment). Use a forwarder experienced with batteries — they handle the declaration, packaging and airline/container rules. Don't hand it to a cheapest-quote broker.
3. Air vs sea
Sea is cheaper and the default for container volumes, with longer transit. Air is faster but tighter on battery watt-hour limits and pricier per kg. For a first small order you may air; for containers, sea DG. We can quote both — see our Incoterms guide.
4. Packaging matters
Batteries should be at partial charge, terminals protected, and cartons labelled. Good packing also reduces damage claims. This is why we inspect and repack before consolidation.
5. Order batteries with the cars
Spare batteries are the same DG headache — order them with the cars in one shipment rather than a separate rush order later. It's simpler and cheaper. (See the spare-parts guide for what to include.)
Related: DDP vs DDU vs FOB · Spare Parts To Order First · Quality Inspection