Hazardous Goods
Return of Hazardous Goods
All products containing lithium‑ion batteries are classified as hazardous goods. These products are only permitted for commercial transport (and return shipment) under specific conditions. A hazardous product is subject to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), as the transport risk for these products is higher than for others.
Below you will find instructions for returning such items.
What should you consider when packaging?
Make sure that the packaging you choose is sturdy and secure. Also ensure that the product cannot move around inside the package or be switched on accidentally. Ideally, use the filling material included in the original shipment, or use newspaper to fill any empty spaces.
What should you consider regarding hazardous goods labeling? Please make sure you use a box with the appropriate hazardous goods label. If you do not have one available, please print one of the two labels on the following page in color, cut it out, and attach it to the upper right corner of the package.
Important: Ensure that the label is printed in the required size (120 × 110 mm). Check your printer settings accordingly.
Depending on the contents of the package, different hazardous goods labels (with different UN numbers) must be used.
- Lithium batteries “packed with equipment” must be labeled with UN 3481.
- Lithium batteries “packed alone” must be labeled with UN 3480.
Sender’s obligations
Under the ADR, the sender is responsible for correctly classifying the hazardous goods being shipped. You fulfill this obligation by correctly labeling the package as described above. Please take this procedure seriously. If your device does not contain a lithium‑ion battery, you must avoid incorrect labeling under all circumstances.
Shipping a device with a built‑in battery (UN 3481)
Lithium‑ion batteries that are “installed in the device” (e.g., laptops, mobile phones) must be packaged as safely as possible to prevent damage to the device and therefore to the battery.
Hazardous‑goods‑compliant labeling requires that the package is marked in the upper right corner with the appropriate label and the UN number 3481.
Shipping a single or additional battery (UN 3480)
If, in addition to the battery installed in the device, you are sending another (loose) battery that belongs to the device (e.g., a spare battery), it may be shipped in the same package. Loose batteries that do not belong to the device must be packaged and shipped separately.
Packages containing loose batteries must also be labeled in the upper right corner with the appropriate hazardous goods label and the UN number 3480.