（Question on Lithium Battery powered Hearing Aids and Charger Case.）
Q.
On Page 19 of the IATA “2021 Lithium Battery Guidance Document” Question EE is shown which reads : ”What is the correct classification for hearing aids or Bluetooth® “earbuds” that are shipped in a charging case or with a charging case in the same package?” The Guidance Document also shows an Answer which reads:”Bluetooth® earbuds or hearing aids that are shipped in or with a charging case should be classified as “UN3481 Lithium Battery packed with equipment” and packed in accordance with PI 966. If the charging case is shipped without the earbuds, the case must be classified as “UN3480 Lithium Batteries” and packed in accordance with PI 965,” According to this IATA Guidance, the Charging Case itself is defined as a battery and this type of merchandise would be classified for PI 966 as “APIO”. If the charging case itself is defined as a battery, how should we determine the net quantity of the battery? Will it be the gross weight of the charging case including the outer plastic casing? Or would it be the net weight of the lithium battery only? We would appreciate your guidance. (30 Nov 21)
A.
The answer to your question can be found in the IATA Guidance document. Please read the definition of “Net Quantity” on Page 3 of the Guidance. 「Net Quantity – Either (a) the weight or volume of the dangerous goods contained in a package excluding the weight or volume of any packaging material; or (b) the weight of an unpckaged article of dangerous goods (e.g. UN3166 Vehicles).
There is an additional explanation which reads: “For the purpose of this definition “dangerous goods” mean the substance or article as described by the proper shipping name shown in Table 4.2, e.g. for ”Fire Extinguishers”, the net quantity is the weight of the fire extinguisher. For articles packed with equipment or contained in equipment, the net quantity is the net weight of the article e.g. for “Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment”, the net quantity is the net weight of the lithium ion batteries in the package.”
This definition of Net Quantity is reflected in the answers to Question U. and V. on Page 17 of the Guidance. Therefore the answer to your question will be “as stated in the Answer of Question EE appearing on Page 19 of the Guidance the net quantity of the shipment will be the net weight of the lithium batteries packed in the package excluding the weight of any packaging material.”
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