(Please explain Special Provisions A88 and A99 both referring to lithium batteries.)
Q.
SP A88 refers to PI 910 of the Supplement to the Technical Instructions for shipping prototype lithium batteries. PI 910 of ICAO T.I. says: “A cell or battery with a net mass of more than 30 kg must be limited to one cell or battery per outer packaging.” I interpret this rule as if a battery is less than 30 kg, there is no quantity limit per outer packaging. Is my interpretation correct?
SP A99 is for battery with a net weight exceeding 35 kg. If the net weight of a battery is less than 35 kg, the shipper does not need to follow SP A99. Is my understanding correct? (30 Jun 18)
A.
SP A88 is for prototype lithium batteries and SP A99 is for large lithium batteries that exceed 35 kg net weight. Please do not mix up the two Special Provisions.

SP A88
The text in A88 about a battery may exceed 35 kg is to recognize that the shipper may have a prototype lithium battery that exceed 35 kg, so one approval under SP A88 is sufficient in this instance, i.e., the shipper does not have to get an approval under A88 for the prototype and another approval under A99 for being over 35 g. Please remember, PI 965 through PI 970 has a net quantity per CAO package limit of 35 kg.

SP A99
SP A99 only applies to large batteries with a net weight exceeding 35 kg. If a shipper has a lithium battery that weighs less than 35 kg, they do not need to be bothered with SP A99. So, if the battery weighs only 20 kg, SP A99 does not apply at all.

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