An independent test raises serious questions about undeclared lithium batteries and the urgent need for a global compliance platform
Lithium batteries are no longer a niche product.
They are everywhere — in consumer electronics, power banks, drones, electric vehicles, toys, medical devices, tools and countless other products moving through global supply chains every day.
But there is a serious problem that the air cargo industry cannot afford to ignore:
Are we really sure that every lithium battery entering the air cargo network has been properly declared, packaged, labelled, documented and handled?
A recent test conducted by lithium battery transport consultant and Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser Paul Horner has raised exactly this question.
And the findings are deeply concerning.
A Test That Should Make the Air Cargo Industry Stop and Think
According to the findings shared by Paul Horner with the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) Dangerous Goods Committee, a test purchase was made involving seven different lithium battery products from seven different suppliers in China.https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7503626467340115968/
The objective was simple: determine how these products would actually move through the e-commerce delivery network.
The results were alarming.
According to the published account, all seven shipments arrived approximately eleven days later in the same type of delivery bag, with no apparent dangerous-goods marks or labels and without documentation indicating that the contents were lithium batteries.
More importantly, the shipment tracking information reportedly indicated movement by air.
If accurately represented, this raises a fundamental safety question:
How can lithium batteries enter an international air transportation network without the controls normally associated with dangerous goods?
This is not simply a question about paperwork.
It is a question about aviation safety.
Lithium Batteries Are Not General Cargo
Lithium batteries can present significant hazards when transported by air.
Depending on the battery type, configuration, Watt-hour rating, state of charge and other characteristics, different regulatory requirements may apply.
For compliant air transportation, requirements can include:
- Correct classification
- Appropriate packaging
- Correct marks and labels
- Proper documentation
- Quantity and configuration restrictions
- Applicable dangerous-goods declarations
- Trained personnel
- Carrier acceptance procedures
- Proper handling and storage
- Regulatory compliance throughout the transportation chain
These requirements exist for a reason.
A battery that is properly identified and handled can be transported safely.
A battery that is misdeclared, undeclared or incorrectly packaged creates an entirely different risk profile.
The Most Shocking Part: The Problem Is Not Just One Shipment
The bigger concern is that this may not be an isolated case.
The global e-commerce explosion has created an enormous volume of small parcels moving across borders every day.
At the same time, lithium batteries have become one of the fastest-growing categories of cargo.
This creates a dangerous combination:
Millions of shipments + fragmented supply chains + inexperienced shippers + pressure for low-cost/free delivery = increased compliance risk.
In some markets, the commercial incentive is obvious.
Declaring dangerous goods can involve additional packaging, documentation, handling, acceptance procedures and transportation costs.
Undeclaring the battery may appear cheaper and easier.
But the cost does not disappear.
The risk simply moves further down the supply chain.
And ultimately, that risk can reach the aircraft.
“FREE SHIPPING” Should Never Mean “FREE FROM SAFETY RULES”
One particularly striking aspect of the reported experiment was the apparent ability to purchase lithium battery products at very low prices with international delivery.
This raises a question for everyone involved in aviation logistics:
Who is responsible for ensuring that the contents of these parcels are correctly identified before they enter the aircraft?
The answer cannot simply be:
- the shipper;
- the marketplace;
- the courier;
- the freight forwarder;
- the airline;
- the ground handler;
- or customs.
Safety is a supply-chain responsibility.
Every participant has a role.
The Weakest Link Can Become the Biggest Risk
The modern battery supply chain can involve dozens of participants:
Manufacturer → Seller → Marketplace → Consolidator → Freight Forwarder → Ground Handler → Airline → Transit Hub → Destination Agent → Courier → Final Customer
If even one participant fails to identify a lithium battery correctly, the shipment may move forward under the wrong declaration.
This is why battery transportation compliance cannot depend solely on the final airline acceptance process.
Compliance must begin at the source.
This Is Exactly Why IBATA Exists
This situation highlights the reason behind the creation and development of the International Battery Air Transport Association (IBATA).
IBATA was established with a clear objective:
To help build a safer, more professional, standardized and compliant global ecosystem for battery air transportation.
The battery industry needs more than transportation capacity.
It needs trust.
It needs reliable information.
It needs trained professionals.
It needs recognized standards.
It needs qualified manufacturers and logistics providers.
And most importantly, it needs greater transparency across the supply chain.
IBATA: Building a Compliance-Based Battery Air Transport Platform
Our vision is to connect the entire battery transportation ecosystem:
Battery Manufacturers
Helping manufacturers understand and comply with applicable air transport requirements before cargo leaves the factory.
Freight Forwarders
Providing access to professional battery transportation resources, regulatory information and qualified partners.
Airlines & GSA
Supporting airlines and aviation partners in developing a more reliable and compliant battery cargo ecosystem.
Packaging & Compliance Companies
Connecting the industry with qualified packaging, inspection, testing, certification and compliance service providers.
Airports & Ground Handlers
Promoting better awareness and standardized procedures for battery cargo handling.
Shippers & E-commerce Platforms
Encouraging accurate identification, declaration and responsible transportation of battery-related products.
From “Moving Batteries” to “Moving Batteries Safely”
The future of battery logistics cannot simply be about:
How cheaply can we ship it?
It must become:
How safely and compliantly can we ship it?
That means moving from a price-driven model to a compliance-driven ecosystem.
IBATA aims to support this transformation through:
- Global battery air cargo information
- Industry standards and guidance
- Battery transportation resources
- Qualified logistics partners
- Manufacturer recognition
- Training and education
- Compliance resources
- Industry networking
- Market intelligence
- Air freight solutions
- Better communication between manufacturers, forwarders and airlines
The Industry Needs Transparency — Not More Blind Spots
The reported experiment should not simply become another alarming story that disappears from LinkedIn after a few days.
It should become a catalyst for action.
The aviation industry has already learned difficult lessons about dangerous goods.
We should not wait for another serious incident before asking basic questions.
What is inside the parcel?
Has it been declared correctly?
Has it been packaged correctly?
Has the person preparing the shipment received the appropriate training?
Does the transportation chain know that lithium batteries are present?
These questions should be answered before the cargo reaches the aircraft, not after something goes wrong.
IBATA’s Commitment
IBATA believes that the global battery transportation industry can grow rapidly without compromising aviation safety.
Our mission is not to replace existing international regulations or established aviation organizations.
Instead, IBATA seeks to connect the industry, promote compliance awareness, facilitate professional resources and help create a more transparent battery transportation ecosystem.
We believe that manufacturers, logistics companies, airlines, airports, regulators, compliance organizations and technology platforms all have a role to play.
One industry. One ecosystem. One commitment to safety.
The Question We Should All Be Asking
The real question is not whether undeclared lithium batteries exist.
The question is:
How many are moving through the global air cargo system without being detected?
The recent test provides a worrying reminder that the answer may be more significant than many people realize.
And that is precisely why IBATA is committed to building a global platform for safer, more professional and compliant battery air transportation.
Because when it comes to lithium batteries and aviation, compliance is not an option.
It is a responsibility.
IBATA — Building a Safer Future for Battery Air Transport
Safety. Compliance. Professionalism. Standards. Sustainability.
Join IBATA and become part of the global battery air transport ecosystem.