PHMSA’s 2025 Lithium Battery Shipping Rule: Warehouse Checklist for DDR Cells

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a damaged, defective, or recalled lithium battery for shipping purposes?

The article points to practical trigger conditions such as recall status, visible damage, abnormal heat, swelling, leakage, or a known safety failure. If the condition is unclear, the battery should not default to routine handling.

Can warehouse staff ship a returned lithium battery using the normal outbound process?

Not automatically. Returned batteries need a condition review first, and DDR batteries require stricter controls than standard product shipments.

What should be in a warehouse DDR battery segregation area?

It should be a designated hold area away from normal inventory, limited to trained personnel, arranged to prevent short circuits, and managed with clear escalation steps for unstable batteries.

Who needs training on DDR lithium battery shipments?

Any hazmat employee performing shipment-related functions should be trained for those duties. That includes workers who inspect condition, choose packaging, mark or label packages, or approve release.

What documentation should managers verify before a DDR battery shipment is released?

Managers should verify the inspection findings, the packaging decision, required marks and labels, the shipping paper description, and confirmation that the carrier will accept the shipment.