Andrew Butler from Anton Bauer gave PERG’s NAB audience an update on shipping lithium ion batteries. He reported that the new rules for shipping that were adopted last year have essentially not changed. Stand–alone lithium ion batteries are forbidden on passenger aircraft (under packing instructions 965, which applies to batteries that are not contained within equipment or shipped with equipment). Camera and lighting batteries, subject to 965 should be discharged to less than 30% charge before being shipped by air, and must be shipped via cargo carrier only.
The IATA guidance document and 2017 updates are available on PERG’s website at:
http://www.esta.org/PERG/Initiatives/lithium-ion_batteries.html
Butler reported that in 2016 the FAA imposed fines on a number of companies that did not ship batteries in compliance with the new regulations. Rental houses, camera assistants and lighting technicians need to stay fully informed on this issue. Rental houses are encouraged to help educate camera assistants about the shipping rules.
Anton Bauer and Core SWX are among the manufacturers that now integrate travel features into their chargers. The feature enables the user to safely discharge camera batteries to less than the regulatory maximum charge. Blueshape offers a shipping case pre-labeled with the required lithium ion battery shipping label. Blueshape chargers display the percentage state of charge.
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