Which UN designation would you consult for batteries that are contained in equipment and shipped with that equipment?

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

Answer: (B)

When batteries stay inside the device they’re shipped with, you use the designation that means “batteries contained in equipment.” For lithium-ion batteries, that is UN 3481. This specific UN number flags the packaging and handling rules that apply to batteries that are installed in equipment rather than shipped separately. If you were dealing with lithium metal batteries in the same situation, the corresponding designation would be UN 3091. So, for batteries contained in and shipped with the equipment, the appropriate reference is UN 3481.