Lithium Battery Shipping from China
Door-to-door delivery with customs cleared – from your Chinese factory to your warehouse in Nigeria, South Africa and across Africa.
What we ship
We handle lithium batteries as dangerous goods - not as ordinary cargo. Every shipment is classified, documented and packed to the standard the carrier and the destination customs authority require.
| Battery type | UN number | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion batteries, standalone | UN3480 | Solar storage, power banks, e-bikes |
| Lithium-ion packed with or contained in equipment | UN3481 | Laptops, phones, tools, inverters |
| Lithium metal batteries | UN3090 / UN3091 | Sensors, medical devices, clocks |
| Lithium batteries in cargo transport units | UN3536 | Containerised energy storage systems, telecom site storage |
We also ship the equipment that travels with batteries: inverters, solar panels, charge controllers, cables and battery racks - consolidated under one booking.
Why batteries need a specialist
Most forwarders will quote you a rate and then discover the cargo is Class 9. That is when shipments get stuck, re-packed at the airport, or rejected outright. We start from the regulations.
Air freight restrictions
- Lithium-ion cells and batteries shipped on their own must be at a state of charge not exceeding 30% of rated capacity
- Some lithium metal batteries are prohibited on passenger aircraft entirely
- Air shipments require a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods and a carrier approved for Class 9
Sea freight (IMDG Code)
- UN-approved outer packaging with insulated terminals
- Class 9 labels, UN numbers and the lithium battery mark on every package
- Correct stowage and segregation as required by the shipping line
- Dangerous goods surcharges apply and must be booked in advance
Documentation we prepare and check for you
- UN 38.3 Test Summary - issued by a CNAS-accredited laboratory, valid for one year
- MSDS / SDS - safety data sheet for the battery chemistry
- Dangerous goods declaration (air) or DG application (sea)
- UN packaging certificate for the outer packaging used
- Commercial invoice and packing list with correct HS codes
If your factory cannot provide a current UN 38.3 summary or MSDS, tell us early - we can advise on how to obtain them before the cargo-ready date.
How we move it
| Mode | Typical transit (indicative) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight (FCL) | 30-45 days to African ports | Containerised BESS, bulk batteries, heavy loads |
| Sea freight (LCL) | 35-50 days | Smaller volumes that cannot fill a container |
| Air freight | 4-8 days | Urgent spares, samples, high-value cells |
| Express courier | 3-7 days | Small parcels and documents |
Transit times are indicative and depend on origin port, carrier routing, destination and customs. We confirm actual dates when you book.
Origin: we collect from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, or any factory in mainland China.
Door-to-door (DDP): we clear customs for you
This is what makes us different from a booking agent. With our DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service, you agree one price and we handle the entire chain:
- Factory pickup and inland trucking in China
- Export customs declaration in China
- Export dangerous goods documentation for the battery
- Ocean or air freight
- Import customs clearance at the destination
- Payment of duties and taxes
- Final delivery to your warehouse or project site
You do not need an import licence, a customs broker or a bank facility at the destination. We have partner clearance agents on the ground in Nigeria and South Africa.
Where you prefer to clear customs yourself, we also offer port-to-port and CIF terms - just tell us which you want.
Where we ship
We specialise in African destinations, which is where battery shipments are hardest to clear:
| Destination | Ports / entry points |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can Island, Lekki), Abuja, Kano |
| South Africa | Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg |
| Zimbabwe | Via Beira (Mozambique) or Durban (South Africa) - inland trucking included |
| Mozambique | Maputo, Beira, Nacala |
| West Africa | Ghana (Tema), Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal |
| East Africa | Kenya (Mombasa), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) |
We also serve Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australia on standard freight terms.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ship batteries by air from China?
Yes - but only compliant shipments. Lithium-ion batteries shipped alone must be at a state of charge of 30% or less, and the airline must accept Class 9 cargo. We confirm carrier acceptance before booking.
What documents does my supplier need to provide?
A current UN 38.3 Test Summary, an MSDS/SDS, correct HS codes on the invoice, and UN-approved packaging. We check these before the cargo leaves the factory.
Can you ship a containerised battery energy storage system (BESS)?
Yes. Containerised systems normally ship under UN3536 and require additional documentation, including a transport condition appraisal report and, for sea freight, confirmation of the container's suitability. Ask us early - these shipments need more lead time.
Do you handle customs in Nigeria?
Yes. Through our partner clearance agents we handle Form M, PAAR and SONCAP requirements and deliver to your site.
What if I don't have a UN 38.3 report?
Tell us at the quotation stage. We will tell you what is required and how to obtain it, so nothing is left to the last minute.
How do I get a price?
Every battery shipment is quoted individually - rates depend on the UN number, packaging, weight, destination and mode. Send us the details and we will come back with a written quotation.