Special Provision 188 (SP 188) of the IMDG Code 42-24 provides conditional exemptions/reduced requirements for small lithium metal, lithium ion, and sodium ion cells and batteries (including those installed in equipment, packed with equipment, or alone). These shipments are not subject to full Class 9 dangerous goods provisions (e.g., no Class 9 label, no dangerous goods transport document, no placarding) if all applicable requirements below are met.

Damaged, defective, or recycling/disposal batteries: Not eligible for SP 188, refer to SP 376, SP 377.

All items in the checklist must be satisfied for the shipment to qualify under SP 188. Reference: IMDG Code Amendment 42-24, Special Provision 188; sections 2.9.4 (Lithium batteries) & 2.9.5 (Sodium ion batteries). This checklist is based on the provisions effective under Amendment 42-24 mandatory from 1 January 2026.

Revised 27 October 2026 and checked against IMDG Code Amendment 42-24. The marking section now covers the content and size of the lithium battery mark and the 31 December 2026 end date for the mark from Amendment 40-20, and the documentation section is expanded. See all checklists on the Downloads page.