# UN38.3 test summary: what it must contain

By Rotomal team · Updated 2026-11-07 · Part of [Battery Dispatch](https://rotomal.com/lithium-battery-shipping/)

**Short answer:** A UN38.3 test summary is a short document showing that a lithium cell or battery passed the transport tests in sub-section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. Manufacturers and subsequent distributors of cells, batteries and battery-powered equipment must make it available, except for button cells installed in equipment. You can meet this with a website link or QR code instead of paper with each shipment. It must list 10 items, from the manufacturer and test lab to the responsible person.

## The 10 required items

- Name of the cell, battery or product manufacturer.
- Manufacturer contact details: address, phone, email and website.
- Test laboratory name and contact details.
- A unique test report number.
- Date of the test report.
- Description: lithium ion, lithium metal or sodium ion; mass; Wh rating or lithium content; physical description; model numbers.
- List of tests and results (pass or fail).
- Reference to assembled battery testing, if applicable.
- The edition of the UN Manual used, and amendments.
- Name and title of the responsible person.

## Common problems we see in supplier files

- A full test report sent instead of the summary, with no summary page.
- Model numbers that do not match the battery in your product.
- No Wh rating, which you need to choose the right section.
- No responsible person named.

## How to make it available

Keep each summary as a PDF on a stable web page and put the link or a QR code on the transport documents or packaging, as IATA's guidance allows. Ask suppliers for a corrected summary when an item is missing.

## If you want it checked for you

Battery Dispatch checks each test summary, classifies the product and writes your packing and marking steps, from £49 per product, paid once.

## FAQ

### Do I need a test summary if I only resell products?

Yes. The requirement covers manufacturers and subsequent distributors, so resellers must be able to make it available too.

### Is the test summary the same as the full UN38.3 report?

No. The summary is a short document with the listed items; the full report is longer and usually stays with the manufacturer.

## Sources

- IATA Lithium Battery Guidance Document, revised for the 2026 regulations https://www.iata.org/contentassets/05e6d8742b0047259bf3a700bc9d42b9/lithium-battery-guidance-document.pdf
- IATA: Lithium batteries https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/dgr/lithium-batteries/

[Battery Dispatch](https://rotomal.com/lithium-battery-shipping/) does this for you. Request it free, no card: https://rotomal.com/lithium-battery-shipping/request/
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Rotomal · https://rotomal.com/lithium-battery-shipping/un38-3-test-summary-what-to-check/ · hello@rotomal.com