IATA Updates Lithium Battery Transport Rules—RRC Customers Stay Ahead

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is tightening regulations on lithium battery shipments, rolling out stricter rules aimed at boosting safety in air transport. A key change? Stricter limits on the state of charge (SoC) for lithium-ion batteries to minimize risks like thermal runaway during transit. While many companies scramble to adapt, RRC customers can keep business running as usual—because we’ve been ahead of this curve for years.

What’s Changing? 

  • Starting January 1, 2026: Lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment must ship with a state of charge at or below 30%. Anything above this threshold requires special approval from aviation authorities. 
  • 2025 Transition Period: A one-year adjustment window allows manufacturers and shippers to update their processes before full enforcement. 
  • New Vehicle Classifications: Revised shipping categories for battery-powered vehicles introduce similar SoC restrictions for safer transport. 

RRC: Built for Compliance, Ready for the Future 

At RRC, safety isn’t a reaction—it’s part of our design. Long before these updates, we integrated “shipping mode” into our battery solutions, ensuring all RRC batteries ship at or below the new 30% SoC requirement. That means our customers won’t need to lift a finger to stay compliant. 

What This Means for You 

If you’re using RRC batteries, nothing changes. While the rest of the industry scrambles to adapt, you can continue shipping and integrating our battery solutions without disruption. Compliance? Already covered. 

Why This Matters 

These new regulations are about more than just paperwork—they’re designed to: 

  • Reduce the risk of thermal runaway during transport. 
  • Standardize lithium battery shipping practices worldwide. 
  • Give manufacturers and shippers clearer guidance on safe transport protocols. 

Looking Ahead 

Regulations will continue to evolve, but with RRC, you don’t have to play catch-up. We’re always monitoring industry updates to ensure our products stay aligned with global safety standards—before the rules even take effect. 

Have questions about IATA’s new guidelines or how they impact your shipments? Reach out to ourteam. We’re here to make compliance effortless.