Which UN number corresponds to lithium metal cells or batteries contained in or packed with equipment?

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

Answer: (A)

Lithium metal batteries are split into two UN numbers depending on how they’re shipped. When the battery is contained in or packed with equipment, the designation used is UN 3091. This tells handlers and shippers that the battery is lithium metal and that it’s part of a device or packaged with other equipment, which changes the applicable packaging, labeling, and handling rules. This differs from the case where lithium metal batteries are shipped by themselves, which uses UN 3090. For broader context, lithium ion batteries follow the parallel pattern: UN 3480 for standalone batteries and UN 3481 for those contained in or packed with equipment.