The short answer
- Everywhere: a UN 38.3 test summary and a safety data sheet (SDS). Without them the goods cannot be shipped.
- United States: FCC compliance (wireless chargers usually need FCC authorisation). UL 2056 is voluntary by law but effectively required on Amazon.
- European Union: CE marking, under the Radio Equipment Directive for products with wireless charging, plus RoHS, WEEE and the EU Batteries Regulation.
- Marketplaces often ask for more than the law: Amazon requires specific combinations of safety standards and dangerous goods information.
This guide is a checklist for discussions with your test lab or compliance consultant, not legal advice.
Overview by market
| Document | What it covers | Where it is needed |
|---|---|---|
| UN 38.3 test summary | Transport safety of lithium cells and batteries | Worldwide, for air, sea and road |
| SDS (MSDS) | Hazards, handling and emergency measures | Forwarders, carriers, marketplaces |
| IEC 62133-2 | Safety of rechargeable lithium cells and batteries | EU, many marketplaces and retailers |
| UL 2056 | Safety of power banks | US, expected by Amazon |
| IEC/EN 62368-1 | Safety of the electronic product | EU, Amazon alternative route |
| FCC | Radio frequency emissions | US |
| CE (RED, EMC) | Radio, EMC and safety requirements | EU |
| RoHS / WEEE | Hazardous substances, electronic waste | EU |
| EU Batteries Regulation | Battery labels, collection, producer duties | EU |
| 3C (CCC) | China Compulsory Certification | Mainland China; also checked on domestic flights |
Transport: UN 38.3 and SDS
UN 38.3 is a series of tests in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria: altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact or crush, overcharge and forced discharge. Every lithium cell and battery must pass it before it can be transported. The factory should provide a test summary in the standard format, naming the battery model, its capacity in Wh and the test lab.
The SDS describes the battery's hazards and how to handle it. Forwarders and marketplaces check that it matches the product and is up to date; Amazon expects it to be no more than five years old and to include all 16 sections.
Battery safety: IEC 62133 and UL 2056
IEC 62133-2 covers the safety of rechargeable lithium cells and batteries in portable devices, including short-circuit, overcharge and crush tests. It is the battery standard most marketplaces and EU buyers ask for.
UL 2056 is the US safety standard written specifically for power banks. It covers the whole product, including the charging circuit and the enclosure, not only the cell. US law does not make it mandatory, but Amazon requires it or an equivalent combination of standards.
United States
- FCC: most power banks fall under FCC Part 15. A product with no radio functions can use the supplier's declaration of conformity, but wireless chargers emit RF energy and generally need FCC equipment authorisation, under Part 15 or Part 18 depending on the design. An FCC ID can be checked in the FCC database.
- UN 38.3: required to ship from the factory and within the US.
- California Proposition 65: a warning label is needed if the product contains listed chemicals, such as certain phthalates in plastic parts.
- Country of origin: must be marked on the product or its packaging.
European Union
- CE under RED: wireless charging transmitters fall under the Radio Equipment Directive, even when they are Qi certified. Typical standards are EN 303 417 for the radio part, EN 301 489-1 and -3 for EMC, EN 62368-1 for safety and EN 62311 for exposure.
- RoHS and WEEE: limits on hazardous substances, and the crossed-out bin symbol with producer registration for electronic waste.
- EU Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542: the separate collection symbol has applied since 18 August 2025, capacity labels for rechargeable portable batteries from 18 August 2026 or later, and a QR code from 18 February 2027. Brands placing batteries on an EU market usually also need to register as producers.
- Declaration of conformity: the brand or importer signs it and keeps the technical file. The factory's test reports support it but do not replace it.
For the wider launch plan, see our private label battery case guide.
Amazon
Amazon US asks power bank sellers for one of three combinations of standards, each with a UN 38.3 test summary:
- UL 2056 and UN 38.3
- IEC/UL/CSA 62368-1, IEC/UL/CSA 62133-2 and UN 38.3
- IEC/UL/CSA 62368-1, UL 2054 and UN 38.3
For lithium battery products, sellers also upload the UN 38.3 test summary when creating the listing and provide dangerous goods information: battery type, number of cells, weight, Wh per battery and an SDS or exemption sheet. Missing or mismatched documents are the most common reason a new listing is blocked.
Shipping rules for 2026
Air carriers classify a power bank as a lithium-ion battery (UN 3480, packing instruction 965), not as an electronic device. Stand-alone lithium-ion batteries must be shipped at no more than 30% state of charge. Since 1 January 2026, the IATA rules also make the 30% limit mandatory for lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment (UN 3481, packing instruction 966). Sea freight follows the IMDG Code and is usually the cheaper option for full cartons. Your forwarder will ask for the UN 38.3 summary and the SDS before booking.
How to check a factory's reports
- Model and capacity match. The report must name the exact battery model and capacity you are buying, not a similar one.
- Accredited lab. Look up the lab's accreditation for the standard in question.
- Recent and complete. Ask for the full report, not only the cover page, and check the date.
- FCC ID. Check it in the FCC database; the photos and documents there should match the product.
- Marks have documents. A CE, FCC or Qi logo on the product needs a report or certificate behind it. A logo without paperwork is a liability for the brand.
We provide a UN 38.3 test summary, an IEC 62133 report and an SDS for every batch, and our magnetic battery packs carry CE, FCC and RoHS marks. For anything market-specific, tell us the market and we will say what we can supply.
Frequently asked questions
Is UL 2056 mandatory in the United States?
Not by federal law. It is effectively required for selling on Amazon, which accepts UL 2056 or two alternative combinations of standards, always together with UN 38.3.
Does a Qi certificate replace CE or FCC?
No. Qi certification shows compatibility with the WPC standard. Wireless chargers still need CE under the Radio Equipment Directive in the EU and FCC authorisation in the US.
Who signs the EU declaration of conformity?
The manufacturer or the brand that places the product on the market under its own name. The factory's test reports support the declaration.
Can power banks be shipped by sea?
Yes. Sea freight under the IMDG Code is common for full cartons of power banks and battery cases, with the UN 38.3 summary and SDS.