2026 Dangerous Goods Transport Overhaul: IATA Lithium Battery Rules and IMO Safety Standards Reshape Global Logistics Compliance

Historic Shift in Dangerous Goods Transportation Regulation for 2026

January 1, 2026 marked a watershed moment for global dangerous goods transportation regulation. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) officially implemented updated lithium battery guidance documents as a core component of its 2026 Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). Simultaneously, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) activated multiple new maritime safety regulations, while the European Union advanced its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Import Control System 2 (ICS2) to full operational status. The concentrated implementation of these new regulations signals that the global logistics industry has officially entered a “compliance-driven” era.

For logistics enterprises in Southeast Asia, these changes carry particularly profound implications. ASEAN nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, serving as critical hubs in global supply chains, are facing unprecedented compliance pressure on their dangerous goods logistics systems. According to IATA statistics, 83% of passengers carry mobile phones, 60% bring laptops, and 44% travel with power banks, meaning virtually every air traveler carries devices containing lithium batteries. The new regulations require these items to be carried into the cabin as hand luggage, not checked in, and must be turned off and properly stowed during takeoff, landing, and taxiing.

Core Changes and Implementation Points of IATA 2026 Lithium Battery Regulations

The fundamental shift in IATA’s new lithium battery guidance lies in classified management and risk control for lithium battery transportation. Under the new regulations, products containing lithium batteries are clearly categorized as “must carry-on” items, including but not limited to power banks, mobile phones, cameras, electric toothbrushes, e-cigarettes, e-readers, and smartwatches. The logic behind this requirement is clear: if thermal runaway occurs with lithium batteries in the cargo hold, it is difficult to detect and respond promptly; in the cabin, flight attendants and passengers can quickly identify smoke, heat, or other abnormalities and take emergency measures.

Notably, the new regulations also set clear limits on battery capacity. Lithium batteries exceeding 100 watt-hours (Wh) may be completely prohibited, directly affecting the transportation of special items such as professional photography equipment, large drone batteries, and certain medical devices. Airlines are authorized to establish stricter internal policies based on specific circumstances, and passengers must carefully review their airline’s specific regulations before traveling. Theuns Dreyer, Head of Airports and Ground Operations at LIFT, noted: “This change has caused some confusion at check-in and boarding gates, potentially resulting in delays. We want to help passengers better understand the process to avoid frustration from possible baggage repacking or additional security screening.”