What UN number identifies lithium ion cells or batteries contained in or packed with equipment?

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

Answer: (B)

Lithium battery shipments are labeled with UN numbers that depend on two things: whether the battery is lithium ion or lithium metal, and whether it is shipped by itself or contained in or packed with equipment. For lithium ion batteries, UN 3480 applies when the batteries are shipped by themselves. UN 3481, on the other hand, covers lithium ion batteries that are contained in equipment or packed with equipment. The question’s wording matches the latter scenario, so the correct UN number is 3481.

To distinguish, lithium metal batteries use UN 3090 (batteries shipped separately) or UN 3091 (batteries contained in or packed with equipment).