Selling on Amazon becoming an influential thing in India and a significant amount of sellers are emerging nowadays. Yes, it is pretty easy to make money through Amazon FBA, but not that many know of its strict rules and regulations that seller has to follow while selling certain products, like lithium batteries.
Selling Lithium batteries has conditions not only on Amazon but also by the government of India itself. Selling lithium batteries is not prohibited or illegal, so do not worry about that. The thing is sellers should adhere to certain regulations before selling it, otherwise, you might be prohibited from selling that product and even be subjected to Amazon account suspension. This article will clarify all your confusion hopefully.
Why do Lithium Batteries have regulations in Amazon India?
Lithium batteries are widely utilized due to their extended lifespan, lack of memory effect (they retain their maximum energy capacity), and slow discharge when idle. However, despite their advantages, lithium batteries pose potential dangers. When damaged, dropped, crushed, or subjected to a short circuit, they can emit hazardous levels of heat and even ignite. Exposure to heat can also make them unsafe. Consequently, specific transportation requirements are imposed on lithium batteries to mitigate these risks.
When creating a product listing or converting a listing to FBA, it is imperative to furnish comprehensive and accurate battery-related information. Incomplete, inaccurate, or conflicting details may result in the blocking of your product for sale through FBA.
Types of Lithium Batteries
There are three primary types of lithium batteries:
- Lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion or LIB): These rechargeable batteries use lithium compounds in their electrode material and are commonly found in portable electronic devices like mobile phones, laptops, and cameras.
- Lithium metal batteries: Featuring lithium metal as an anode, these batteries are not typically rechargeable and are commonly used in products like calculators and flashlights.
- Lithium-ion polymer batteries: Also known as lithium polymer batteries (Li-poly, Li-Pol, LIP, PLI, or LiP), these rechargeable batteries consist of parallel secondary cells and are utilized in select portable electronic products, falling within the lithium-ion battery family.
How do I know if my product has a lithium battery?
When you buy products from manufacturers, sellers, or retail shops may not necessarily display a specific sticker or symbol indicating the presence of lithium batteries. However, you can identify these batteries using a few methods:
Examine the battery directly; its composition is typically printed on the battery itself. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation, such as the product manual. You may also reach out to the supplier for further information about your product.
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Lithium Batteries approved to sell in Amazon as per Regulations
| Type | Energy Content | Country | Approved or Not |
| Cells | 0 – ≤20 Wh | India | Approved |
| Cells | >20 – ≤60 Wh | India | Approved |
| Cells | >60 Wh | India | Approved |
| Battery | 0 – ≤1g | India | Approved |
| Battery | >1 – ≤5g | India | Approved |
| Battery | >5g | India | Approved |
| Cells | >100 – ≤300 Wh | India | Approved |
| Battery | >2 – ≤25g | India | Approved |
| Cells | >300 Wh | India | Approved |
| Battery | >25g | India | Approved |
If you can’t find the watt-hour information on the battery, you can figure it out by using the battery’s voltage (V) and the amp-hour (Ah) rating. These details are usually written on the battery itself, on its packaging, or in the documents provided by the manufacturer.
Documents to submit with Amazon to sell Lithium batteries
If you want to sell Lithium batteries or Products that come with Lithium batteries, you might need to submit the following
- Test Summary
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or exemption sheet
- BIS CRS Registration certification
BIS CRS Registration certification is necessary for selling lithium batteries in Amazon that are mobile or laptop batteries, and mobile or laptop adapters.
Test summary
A lithium battery test summary is a document that shows the results of tests done on batteries, following a standard called UN 38.3 set by the United Nations. When selling products with lithium batteries on Amazon, it’s important to have these test summaries. You’ll need to use a specific tool to give Amazon the necessary proof that your batteries meet safety standards.
where can I get the test summary of the lithium battery?
If you don’t have a document summarizing tests done on your product, ask the company that made or supplied it to give you one. They should be able to help since they also need to follow this rule. As a seller, you can’t make this summary yourself, but you can ask a lab to test batteries for you if needed.
once obtaining it, upload the test summary to Amazon.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is an important document that holds details about a product’s characteristics, possible dangers, and safety measures for handling it safely. It’s used worldwide to ensure products are handled and used properly. A full SDS includes sections covering crucial information needed for safe and lawful handling, like how to store and transport the product. This makes it useful for understanding how a product is controlled.
Once you’ve made your listing on Amazon, they might ask you to submit a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or an Exemption Sheet. This helps Amazon classify your product accurately.
where do I get the SDS Sheet?
You can get the SDS Sheet from the product Manufacturer or the SDS Authoring Service.
Exemption for selling Lithium Batteries on Amazon
you can download the exemption sheet in the sidebar of the seller central’s compliance dashboard.
For certain products sold on Amazon, there are cases where you don’t need a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Instead, you can use an exemption sheet for two specific categories:
- Battery and battery-powered items.
- Products that don’t contain harmful chemicals.
These categories are exceptions, meaning you can use an exemption sheet instead of providing a Safety Data Sheet for these types of products.
These regulations don’t end with just the uploading of certifications and documents. The compliance extends until you safely package the lithium batteries to the Amazon warehouse or to the customers.
Packaging Lithium Battery to Amazon India
- Amazon has specific packaging rules for FBA sellers shipping dry batteries.
- This includes lithium-ion, lithium-ion polymer, and lithium metal batteries.
- Ensure batteries are in good condition and sealed in packaging to prevent contact with metals or other batteries.
- Approved packaging materials: original manufacturer packaging, boxes, clamshell plastic.
- Not allowed for packaging (unless within rigid packaging): zipper-sealed bags, shrinkwrap.
- For lithium batteries, strictly follow UN 38.3’s shipping methods or other applicable instructions.
- Paste suitable Lithium battery labels on the outermost packaging:
- UN3481 label for packages containing Lithium-ion batteries in equipment or packed with equipment.
- UN3091 label for packages containing Lithium metal batteries in equipment or packed with equipment.
- When shipping products with lithium batteries, use additional packaging over the manufacturer’s box. Never ship the item only in the manufacturer’s packaging.