Can lithium batteries be shipped inside a fuel cell or device that uses a battery?

• A. It is never allowed.
• B. It is allowed only if the battery is brand new.
• C. It can be allowed if classified as contained in equipment and packaged properly, meeting packing instructions.
• D. It can be shipped only by ground.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that lithium batteries can be shipped inside a device when the battery is treated as being contained in equipment and the package is prepared according to the packing instructions. This approach protects the battery and the surrounding packaging by keeping the terminals protected, preventing movement, and reducing the chance of short circuits or accidental activation during transit. The device itself provides containment, and the packing instructions tell you how to cushion and insulate exposed terminals, secure the device, and ensure the package can withstand handling and transport. If these conditions are met, shipping is allowed; it doesn’t have to be brand-new, and it isn’t limited to ground transport—air shipments are also permitted when the full packaging requirements are satisfied.