Batteries look harmless, which is why they cause so many shipping problems. Under Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations, many are regulated goods: wet lead-acid batteries are corrosives, and lithium-ion batteries are Class 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods. Some small shipments qualify for exemptions and some do not, especially by air. This guide summarizes Transport Canada's bulletin on transporting batteries in plain language and lists what to tell a courier at booking. It is general information, not legal advice: the regulations are the authority, and the shipper is responsible for classifying and packaging the goods.
Quick answer
- Wet lead-acid batteries are Class 8 (UN2794 filled with acid, UN2795 filled with alkali). Wet non-spillable batteries (UN2800) are exempt from most of the regulations under special provision 39 if the conditions are met.
- Lithium-ion batteries are Class 9: UN3480 when shipped alone, UN3481 when contained in or packed with equipment.
- Special provision 34 can exempt small lithium-ion cells and batteries (20 Wh per cell, 100 Wh per battery, 30 kg per container) but only for domestic road, rail or vessel transport, and only when the conditions are met.
- By air, the picture changes: UN3480 is forbidden as cargo on passenger aircraft, and damaged, defective or disposal batteries are not allowed by air.
- At booking, tell the courier the battery type, the watt-hour rating, the quantity, the condition and whether any leg of the trip is by air.
Battery Types at a Glance
| Battery | UN number | Class | Key point from Transport Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet, filled with acid (lead-acid) | UN2794 | 8, Corrosive | The electrolyte is corrosive. The full rules apply unless an exemption applies |
| Wet, filled with alkali | UN2795 | 8, Corrosive | Same treatment as UN2794 |
| Wet, non-spillable | UN2800 | 8, Corrosive | Special provision 39 exempts it from the regulations (except Parts 1 and 2) if electrolyte will not flow from a ruptured or cracked case at 55°C, there is no free liquid, and the terminals are protected against short circuit |
| Lithium-ion, shipped alone | UN3480 | 9, Miscellaneous | Special provision 34 can exempt small units on domestic road, rail or vessel. Forbidden as cargo on passenger aircraft |
| Lithium-ion, in or with equipment | UN3481 | 9, Miscellaneous | Special provision 34 can apply. The battery must be protected against damage, short circuit and accidental activation |
| Lithium metal (for comparison) | UN3090, UN3091 | 9, Miscellaneous | Special provision 34 limits are 1 g of lithium per cell and 2 g per battery |
A courier does not classify a battery. The shipper does, using the label on the battery, the manufacturer's data and the regulations. A box labelled only "car battery" or "power bank" is not enough for a courier to act on, which is why the booking questions below matter.
Lead-Acid Batteries: Corrosive Unless Proven Otherwise
Transport Canada lists wet batteries filled with acid (UN2794) or alkali (UN2795) as Class 8 corrosives. The exception is the wet non-spillable battery, UN2800. Under special provision 39, it is exempt from the regulations except Parts 1 and 2 if three conditions hold: electrolyte will not flow from a ruptured or cracked case at 55°C, there is no free liquid, and the terminals are protected against short circuits when prepared for transport. The condition of the particular battery matters. A cracked or leaking unit is a different shipment from a sealed one, and the shipper must say which it is.
Lithium-Ion Batteries and Special Provision 34
Special provision 34 is the small-battery exemption that many shippers rely on. According to Transport Canada, it applies to domestic road, rail or vessel transport only, and only if all the Part 2 tests were passed. The limits are:
- Cells: 20 Wh maximum each. The watt-hour rating must be on the outer case, except for cells made before January 1, 2009.
- Batteries: 100 Wh maximum each.
- Mass: 30 kg maximum total gross mass per means of containment. This limit does not apply when the batteries are installed in or packed with equipment.
- Short-circuit protection: cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit, including contact with conductive material in the same packaging.
- Packaging: a fully enclosed means of containment that withstands a 1.2 m drop test without damage, shifting or release of contents.
Batteries installed in equipment must be protected against damage and short circuit and placed so that they cannot be activated by accident, unless the equipment itself gives equal protection. A power tool with the battery taped in and the trigger lock engaged is a different shipment from a loose battery in a bag with keys.
Road Is Not Air
The exemptions above are for domestic ground transport. Transport Canada points shipments by marine or air to Parts 11 and 12 of the regulations, the ICAO Technical Instructions and the IMDG Code. The bulletin also notes that:
- UN3480, lithium-ion batteries shipped alone, are forbidden as cargo on passenger aircraft (special provision 149).
- Damaged or defective cells and batteries must follow special provision 137 and are forbidden for air transport.
- Lithium batteries for disposal or recycling follow special provision 138, are marked "Lithium Batteries for Disposal" or "Lithium Batteries for Recycling", and must not go by air.
If a shipment starts on the road but might connect to a flight, tell the courier at booking. A battery that was fine for a truck from Montréal to Toronto can be a different matter on a plane. See our guide to Montréal to Toronto delivery for the road side.
Paperwork, Marks and Training
- Shipping document. One is required unless a special case, a special provision or an equivalency certificate says otherwise.
- Marks. They go on the means of containment, not on the batteries themselves. Small containment shows the primary class label, the shipping name and the UN number. Lithium battery shipments use the Class 9 lithium battery label under special provision 159.
- Mass exemptions. Transport Canada notes that the 150 kg and 500 kg gross mass exemptions (sections 1.15 and 1.16) may apply to batteries in containment of 30 kg or less each, and that road vehicles carrying 500 kg or less of dangerous goods are exempt from placarding. Pallets count as containment, so their mass is included.
- Training. Part 6 requires training for every person who handles, offers for transport or transports dangerous goods, and that person must hold a valid training certificate. Someone untrained can work only under the direct supervision of a trained and certified person, unless an exemption applies.
Our overview of TDG basics for couriers explains who is responsible for what, and how to prepare a shipment for pickup covers the packaging side.
What to Tell the Courier at Booking
- The type and chemistry: lead-acid (wet or non-spillable), lithium-ion, lithium metal or something else.
- The UN number, if you know it, and the shipping name from the safety data sheet or the manufacturer.
- The watt-hour rating of each cell or battery, as printed on it.
- The quantity and the total gross weight, including packaging and any pallet.
- Whether it is packed alone, in equipment or with equipment.
- The condition: new, used, damaged, defective, recalled or being sent for disposal or recycling.
- The route: road only, or any air leg.
- A contact who can answer technical questions on the day.
Common Situations
| Situation | What to watch |
|---|---|
| Auto parts counter returning a used car battery | Is it wet, sealed or leaking? The classification depends on the battery's condition and the special provision 39 conditions |
| E-bike or scooter shop sending a battery for repair | Check the watt-hour rating and whether the battery is damaged or recalled. Damaged units follow special provision 137 |
| Tool or electronics distributor shipping new stock | Loose lithium-ion batteries (UN3480) and those packed with equipment (UN3481) are not treated alike |
| Medical device or equipment repair | Many devices contain lithium-ion batteries. See medical device repair and return |
| Aircraft part with a battery | Some aircraft parts contain batteries and carry release paperwork as well. See aircraft part release certificates |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are car batteries dangerous goods when shipped by courier?
Wet lead-acid batteries filled with acid (UN2794) are Class 8 corrosives under the TDG Regulations. A wet non-spillable battery (UN2800) is exempt from most of the regulations under special provision 39 if the conditions are met. The shipper must classify the battery, and the courier needs to know which it is.
Can lithium-ion batteries go by courier in Canada?
Yes, when the rules are met. Special provision 34 can exempt small cells (20 Wh) and batteries (100 Wh) on domestic road, rail or vessel transport. Larger or non-exempt batteries follow the full rules. By air, UN3480 is forbidden as cargo on passenger aircraft.
Where do I find the watt-hour rating?
On the battery. Transport Canada says the watt-hour rating must be on the outer case of the cell for the special provision 34 exemption, except for cells made before January 1, 2009. If the rating is not printed, the shipper needs the manufacturer's data.
Can damaged or recalled batteries be shipped?
Only under the special rules for them. Transport Canada says damaged or defective lithium cells and batteries follow special provision 137 and are forbidden for air transport. Tell the courier about the condition at booking and do not ship a swollen or leaking battery without guidance.
Do I need a shipping document for batteries?
A shipping document is required unless a special case, a special provision or an equivalency certificate applies. Ask your safety adviser or the courier before you assume that an exemption covers your shipment.
Name the Battery, Name the Route
Most battery problems begin with a vague description. A shipper who can name the chemistry, the watt-hour rating, the condition and the route gives the courier what is needed to say yes, or to explain what must change first.
Rush Expedited Courier handles time-critical deliveries across Montréal and beyond, with dispatch around the clock. Name the batteries and the route in the quote form and we will tell you how we can move them. Other lanes are listed under courier services.
Sources and Further Reading
Facts on this page were checked against the sources below on October 28, 2026.