The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has officially launched the 68th Edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR 2027). The new version fully incorporates all revisions from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions 2027–2028, plus the latest resolutions from the IATA Dangerous Goods Board.
As sodium-ion batteries and lithium-sodium hybrid batteries move toward full commercialization, global air dangerous goods regulations have completed a major concurrent update. The new rules not only fill the compliance gap for emerging battery chemistries, but also significantly tighten provisions for batteries carried by passengers and crew, with direct impacts on battery manufacturers, exporters, cross-border logistics providers and airlines.
The 68th Edition DGR is scheduled to take official effect on January 1, 2027.
1. New Battery Types Added to Air Dangerous Goods Framework
For industry-emerging sodium-ion and lithium-sodium hybrid batteries, DGR 68 introduces new classification rules, UN numbers and corresponding packaging requirements, resolving previous regulatory gaps.
1.1 Two New UN Numbers for Batteries
- UN 3563: Lithium metal batteries integrated inside cargo transport units
- UN 3564: Sodium-ion batteries integrated inside cargo transport units
1.2 Clear Classification for Lithium-Sodium Hybrid Batteries
New provision 3.9.2.6.1 (h) and Special Provision A235 establish formal classification criteria for hybrid batteries containing both lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells, addressing the prior lack of clear regulatory guidance for mixed-chemistry battery systems.
1.3 Expanded Exception Provisions
The transport exemption scope for aircraft data recorders has been expanded. Qualifying sodium-ion batteries are eligible for exception provisions and are not required to follow full dangerous goods transport procedures.
1.4 Updated Special Provisions for Sodium & Lithium Batteries
Existing special provisions including A107, A185, A213, A225 and A228 have been revised to add applicability notes for sodium-ion battery shipments.
2. Tightened Rules for Batteries Carried by Passengers & Crew
Section 2.3 of DGR 68 introduces structural adjustments to dangerous goods carried by passengers and crew, with major changes for power banks, spare batteries and battery-powered mobility aids.
2.1 Strict Hard Limits for Power Banks
- Lithium-ion power banks with a rated energy exceeding 100 Wh are prohibited from being carried by passengers or crew, including devices issued to law enforcement personnel.
- The maximum number of power banks per person is fixed at 2, and carriers are not permitted to relax this limit.
- The maximum number of spare batteries is reduced from 20 to 18 per person. Airlines may increase this limit at their discretion based on operational conditions.
- Note: Power bank and spare battery limits are counted independently. Passengers may carry 2 power banks together with up to 18 spare batteries.
2.2 Revised Calculation for Battery-Powered Mobility Aids
Lithium battery wheelchairs and mobility aids are no longer limited on a per-cell basis. Instead, the compliance threshold is set at 300 Wh per complete device. When total device energy exceeds 300 Wh, additional transport conditions apply and prior carrier approval is mandatory.
The built-in battery limit for portable consumer electronic devices is also calculated on a “per device” basis.
2.3 Restructured Passenger Carriage Tables
The former Table 2.3.A has been split into three separate tables:
- Table 2.3.A: Items requiring airline approval before carriage
- Table 2.3.B: Items permitted for carriage without prior approval
- Table 2.3.C: Prohibited items (transitional table, to be removed in the 70th Edition DGR)
2.4 Updates for Crew & Other Personnel
- New provision 2.3.0.9 establishes safety controls for risks posed by electrically isolated batteries.
- Crew power banks are managed under two separate scenarios:
- Power banks used for official flight duties must be addressed in the airline’s operations manual.
- Personal power banks carried by crew follow the same rules as for ordinary passengers.
3. Packaging, Marking & Labeling Compliance Updates
This revision updates more than 20 packaging instruction documents, and revises operational requirements for battery marking and overpacks. Key compliance points for shippers:
3.1 Packaging Instruction Updates
Over 20 packaging instructions including P130, P200, P967, P970 and P978 have been revised, mainly adding sodium-ion battery transport constraints and updating prototype battery wording.
Practical exemption: Under Section II of P967, P970 and P978, button cells built directly into the device itself are excluded from the “maximum 4 cells / 2 batteries” quantity limit.
3.2 Battery Marking Standard Updated
The old-format battery marking featuring a telephone number field is officially phased out. In practice, shipments bearing old markings will not be automatically rejected, but all shippers are strongly recommended to transition to the current version.
If a package displays both a battery mark and other hazard labels (excluding Class 9 battery labels), the battery mark and other hazard labels must be placed on the same face of the package.
3.3 Simplified Overpack Marking
Overpacks are no longer required to reproduce the full markings of each inner package. Only the total quantity of dangerous goods inside the overpack needs to be indicated. Official marking examples are provided for reference.
4. Additional Key Revisions
- Clarifies that exception quantity rules apply only to substances, not to articles.
- Adds guidance in provision A214 to distinguish classification boundaries between battery-powered vehicles and battery-powered devices.
- Adds provision A236 to provide regulatory support for the transport of MRI magnetic resonance imaging equipment.
- Adds provision A808 governing the two-year transition period for discontinued UN numbers.
- Strengthens carrier safety responsibilities: Airlines must maintain up-to-date operations manuals, establish approval processes for special dangerous goods carried by passengers, and assess on-board dangerous goods fire risks and emergency response capabilities for forced landings.
- Cleans up and optimizes State Variations and Operator Variations. IATA plans to continue removing non-compliant carrier variation provisions in the 69th Edition DGR.
5. Action Plan for Shippers & Logistics Teams
- Product classification review: Sodium-ion batteries use new UN numbers; lithium-sodium hybrid batteries are classified per provision 3.9.2.6.1(h) + Special Provision A235.
- Packaging solution upgrade: Verify applicable packaging instructions, implement sodium-ion battery constraints, and leverage button cell quantity exemption rules.
- Label & marking update: Phase out old-format battery marks with telephone numbers, and strictly enforce same-face label placement requirements.
- Consumer guidance update: Update in-flight carriage instructions in product manuals for power banks and battery products.
- Pre-shipment risk screening: Map destination State Variations and corresponding Operator Variations to avoid cargo rejection at destination.
- Internal capability building: Conduct DGR 68 training for export, logistics and quality control teams.
Compliance Reminder
The IATA DGR 68th Edition (2027) takes effect January 1, 2027. All enterprises exporting lithium batteries, sodium-ion batteries and energy storage products are advised to complete UN 38.3 testing and dangerous goods classification well in advance, allowing sufficient lead time for a smooth regulatory transition.
Air Dangerous Goods Logistics Support from Huazong Logistics
As a professional cross-border air freight forwarder with certified dangerous goods handling capabilities, Huazong Logistics helps shippers navigate IATA DGR 2027 updates and maintain fully compliant battery and dangerous goods air transport:
- Regulatory Compliance Advisory: Our dangerous goods specialists track IATA DGR revisions, ICAO rules and carrier-specific variations, providing pre-shipment regulatory reviews to avoid non-compliance and cargo rejection.
- UN Classification & Packaging Support: We assist with battery UN number confirmation, packaging verification and marking guidance to ensure full alignment with DGR 68 requirements.
- Certified Dangerous Goods Air Freight: With approved DG handling capabilities across major global air routes, we handle compliant transport of lithium batteries, sodium-ion batteries and other Class 9 dangerous goods.
- End-to-End Document Management: We manage full sets of dangerous goods documentation, declarations and carrier approval processes, ensuring smooth customs clearance and transit for all air cargo shipments.
For businesses shipping battery products and dangerous goods by air, partnering with Huazong Logistics delivers reliable, fully compliant cross-border air logistics solutions.
