The 2024 FST launched a workshop program, featuring Mike, the leader of the FST engineering design team, as a speaker. Mike shared insights on the overseas shipment of batteries, covering UN38.3 test details and providing guidance on obtaining the clearance certificate (ATA Carnet, which also referred to as a "Merchandise Passport" or "Passport for Goods," is an international customs document that allows for the temporary entry of goods on a duty-free and tax-free basis, whether shipped or hand-carried).

 

The workshop content is summarized below; for detailed information, please refer to the video.

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What is UN38.3

When the battery pack needs to be transported by air, water, road, or railway, it must have this certification rule before it can be sent.

UN38.3 comes from UN Manual of Tests and Criteria Part III Subsection 38.3 (also known as UN 38.3 Testing).

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UN38.3 definition of battery size

Battery size definition

Small battery pack (Pack): A metal lithium battery or lithium-ion battery pack with a total mass of no more than 12 kg.

Large battery pack (Pack): A metal lithium battery or lithium-ion battery pack with a total mass of more than 12 kg.

Small battery cell (Cell): A battery cell with a total mass that cannot exceed 500 g.

Large battery cell (Cell): A battery cell with a total mass that can exceed 500 g.

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UN38.3 test items and passing conditions

Passing Conditions for All Testing Items

During the test, there should be no leakage, exhaust, disassembly, rupture, or fire. Additionally, the open-circuit voltage of each test cell or battery pack after the test should not be less than 90% of its voltage before the test.

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Test item description

T1 test: Highly Simulated

1. Ambient pressure => 11.6 kPa

2. Temperature (20 ± 5°C)

3. Storage Duration: At least 6 hours

 

T2 test: Temperature Test

1. Place at a test temperature of 72 ± 2 °C for a minimum of 6 hours.

2. Subsequently, place at a test temperature of -40 ± 2 °C for a minimum of 6 hours.

3. The maximum time interval between the two extreme test temperatures is 30 minutes.

4. Repeat the cycle 10 times, then allow it to remain at ambient temperature (20 ± 5 °C) for 24 hours.

 

Note: The test time for the large battery pack has been extended from 6 hours to 12 hours.

 

T3 test: Shock

1. Begin at 7 Hz and maintain a maximum acceleration of 1 gn until the frequency reaches 18 Hz. Then, keep the amplitude at 0.8 mm (total excursion 1.6 mm) and increase the frequency until the maximum acceleration reaches 2 gn (frequency around 25 Hz). Maintain the maximum acceleration at 2 gn until the frequency is increased to 200 Hz.

2. Apply the test on the XYY axis.

3. Conduct a total of 3 hours for each axis.

 

T4 test: Impact

Install each battery or battery pack on three mutually perpendicular cells or battery packs. Subject them to three consecutive impacts in the forward direction, followed by three impacts in the reverse direction, resulting in a total of 18 impacts, each with a pulse duration of 11 ms.

 

Determine the impact force using either 50 gn or the formula calculation result and select the smaller value.

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T5 test: External Short Circuit Test

1. Set the temperature to 57 ± 4 °C.

2. Store the battery for 12 hours.

3. Introduce an external short circuit with resistance greater than 0.1 ohm.

4. Store the battery again for an additional 1 hour.

 

T6 test: Impact

Battery demand

 

T7 Test: Overcharging

1. Ensure the charging current is twice the manufacturer's recommended maximum continuous charging current. If the manufacturer's recommended charging voltage exceeds 18 volts, set the minimum voltage for the test to 1.2 times the maximum charging voltage.

2. Time 24 hours

 

Note: Skip this test if there is no BCU protection control.

Note: If the system jumps out in the initial stage, allowing the power supply to remain on, the battery pack can be in a closed output state.

 

T8 test: Forced Discharge Test

Battery demand

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UN38.3 Test Preparation: 11 Required Items

1. Pack or Module Quantity: 4

2. Pack 1.2: Fully charge and discharge once, then return to the fully charged state.

3. Pack 3.4: Fully charge and discharge 25 times before returning to the fully charged state.

4. Appearance label

5. Battery cell technical specifications

6. Battery specifications

7. Complete Charge and Discharge Data: Provide data for 1 time and 25 times.

8. Battery appearance photos, internal PCBA photos

9. Device for Charging and Discharging: Allows the Pack to charge and discharge and facilitates voltage measurement.

10. Vibration fixture

11. Complete Charge and Discharge Data: Define voltage and capacity as per customer specifications (determines capacity and energy).

 

Battery shipping instructions

1. Battery Cell MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet): Ensure you provide the Material Safety Data Sheet for the battery cells.

2. UN38.3 Certification for Battery Pack: Obtain UN38.3 certification specifically for the battery pack.

3. Temporary Customs Clearance Certificate for Goods: Apply for a temporary customs clearance certificate, also known as ATA Carnet, for tax refund purposes.

 

Application for Temporary Goods Clearance Certificate (ATA Carnet)

Introduction to ATA Carnet

The ATA Carnet is a customs clearance document facilitating the temporary tax-free import and re-export of specific goods between contracting countries. Currently, 41 countries, including the United States, Japan, and the European Union, engage in customs clearance business with Taiwan. Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is the sole designated certification issuing unit by the government.

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Documents required for application:

• Application form

• ATA Carnet & product list

• Certificate of school establishment (school establishment certificate)

• Payment of deposit

• Official document

• For actual needs, please contact your cargo agent or trade association.

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Additional notes and references:

• Goods must be available for re-export and should not include food or consumable supplies.

• Goods must have identification tags corresponding to the cargo manifest number.

• The goods should not undergo any changes when re-exported, and special attention should be paid to the appearance of the wooden boxes.

• Only necessary repair measures are allowed during the temporary import period, and repairs to goods damaged during this period are permissible.

• Please be sure to discuss detailed application information with the cargo agent and foreign trade association.

• Read the shipping documents provided by the competition early and provide them to the freight forwarder to ensure your team meets competition requirements. Document preparation and application take time, so avoid leaving it until the end.

• Introduction to ATA Carnet by TAITRA: https://www.taitra.org.tw/cp.aspx?n=16

 

Ocean Freight Forwarding (Freight Forwarding) Information

Please refer to the recorded video at 00:26:10.