BP021 (With effect from 30 Jun 2023) ^{ISSUED (30 JUN 2023)}

In light of the recent incident involving undeclared lithium, the CLG-DGWG would like to raise awareness within the industry about the importance of properly handling cargo and therefore a new version BP021 has been updated.  Please note the number of best practice is now changed from "BP020" to "BP021" to avoid confusion in the market. That means, “Best Practice BP021” will replace “BP020” with effect from 30 June 2023.  

Please note the best practice is jointly issued by HAFFA and the CLG-DGWG for industry reference only. Shippers and freight forwarders are required to follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, requirement of the HKCAD and the requirement of individual carriers for the air carriage of shipments containing lithium batteries at all times.

Please find below the major changes of the BP020 and BP021 for your easy reference:

Part 2 – Documentation / Packaging & Labelling / Packing Requirements [BP020]

Documentation

• Footnote 2 Updated: The statement “Dangerous goods as per attached Shipper's Declaration” or “Dangerous goods as per attached DGD” as shown in the 61st Edition of IATA DGR may continue to be used until 31 December 2024.

Packaging & Labelling

• Item Added: "Each package must be capable of withstanding a force applied to the top surface equivalent to the total weight of identical packages stacked to a height of 3m for a duration of 24 hours."

Packing Requirements

• Item Supplemented: Section II of UN3481 & UN3091 under “Must not packed in the same outer packaging with dangerous goods classified as Class 1 other than Div 1.4S, Div 2.1, Class 3, Div 4.1 or Div 5.1."

Overpack Requirements

• Item Amended 

Part 3 – Lithium Battery Hazard Label and Lithium Battery Mark [BP020]

Lithium battery mark for Section IB and II

• Item Removed: the requirement of telephone number has been removed.
• Item Updated: the mark illustrated in Figure 7.1.C of the 63^rd edition of IATA DGR may continue to be used until 31^st December 2026.

Part 6 – Case Sharing [BP021]

• New case Added

Part 7 – Other Recommended Practice [BP021]

• New Section of Other Recommended Practice Added under Part 7 while the original Part 7 will be renamed as “Part 8 - Un/Mis-declared lithium battery incidents summary (HKG 2019-2022)”.

Part 8 – Un/Mis-declared lithium battery incidents summary (HKG 2019-2022) [No change to BP020 but Renamed as Part 8 under BP021] / Former Part 7 under BP020

• Item Added: "Shipment containing un/mis-declared lithium battery - examples of goods description on Air Waybill." [BP020]
• Item Added: "Shipment destination by region." [BP020]

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For BP020, please Download here.

- Guidance Document for Lithium Batteries (2022)  ^{NEW (19 Nov 2021)}
    

[Download here]

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulation (DGR)

- Significant changes to the 64th edition (2023) of the IATA DGR ^{NEW (13 Sep 2022)}

[Download here] 

- Significant changes to the 63rd edition (2022) of the IATA DGR ^{NEW (28 Sep 2021)}

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“Case Sharing for “Solar Street Light” Shipment”  新危險品最佳指引 - 「太陽能路燈」最佳指引 ^{ISSUED (01 Jun 2021)}

Recently a mis-declared Lithium Battery RLI shipment had been intercepted during Air-waybill acceptance with the AWB commodity name “Solar Street Light” Shipment” 太陽能路燈, declared under UN3481 PI967 Section II ELI.  It was later found that one large batteries pack installed in equipment which is over 260Wh and therefore should be classified as RLI UN3481 Section I. 

It is noted that some airlines may now request for more information (see details in the Best Practice) and will ask for further verification for any shipment declared “Solar Street Light” or similar declaration as PI966/967 Section II.  Or else, the shipment and/or the related ULD will be held at CTO after clarification while forwarder may also be requested to come to CTO for open box inspection if deemed necessary. 

In this regard, Freight Forwarders and/or Shippers are highly recommended to contact the individual airlines to check their latest requirements and/or pre-arrangement if required, and to be vigilant when accepting lithium battery equipment shipment and comply to latest IATA DG regulation. 

Please note the Case Sharing is jointly issued by the CLG-DGWG and HAFFA for industry reference only. Shippers and freight forwarders shall always follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, requirement of the HKCAD and the requirement of individual carriers for the air carriage of shipments containing lithium batteries at all times.

[Download here]