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Talk to our experts- UN number
- A UN number is the identification number, such as UN3480 for lithium ion batteries, that the US Hazardous Materials Table assigns to a hazardous material's proper shipping name. Numbers preceded by "UN" are associated with names considered appropriate for international as well as domestic transportation, and the number goes on shipping papers and package markings.
Also called: identification number
How it works
A UN number is the identification number listed in Column 4 of the Hazardous Materials Table in 49 CFR 172.101, assigned to each proper shipping name. For each listed material, the table identifies the hazard class and gives the proper shipping name, and it specifies or references requirements for labeling, packaging and quantity limits aboard aircraft.
The same table uses other prefixes too:
- UN: proper shipping names considered appropriate for international as well as domestic transportation.
- NA: proper shipping names not recognized for transportation outside the United States.
- ID: proper shipping names recognized by the ICAO Technical Instructions.
Some entries from the table, as of October 28, 2026:
- Lithium ion batteries including lithium ion polymer batteries: UN3480, Class 9.
- Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment including lithium ion polymer batteries: UN3481, Class 9.
- Lithium ion batteries packed with equipment including lithium ion polymer batteries: UN3481, Class 9.
- Paint (including paint, lacquer, enamel, stain, shellac solutions, varnish, polish, liquid filler and liquid lacquer base): UN1263, Class 3.
Where a UN number travels with a hazmat shipment
The proper shipping name entry gives the identification number and hazard class.
The shipping description starts with the identification number, then the proper shipping name.
Non-bulk packages are marked with the proper shipping name and identification number.
UN number vs NA number
Both are identification numbers from the same table. A UN number is associated with a proper shipping name considered appropriate for international as well as domestic transportation. An NA number is associated with a name not recognized for transportation outside the United States, and numbers in the NA9000 series cover names not appropriately covered by international dangerous goods standards, or not appropriately addressed by them for emergency response information, except for transportation in the United States.
On shipping papers and packages
- Shipping papers: under 49 CFR 172.202, the shipping description must include the identification number, the proper shipping name, the hazard class or division and, unless excepted, the packing group, shown in sequence, for example "UN2744, Cyclobutyl chloroformate, 6.1, (8, 3), PG II."
- Package marking: except as otherwise provided, under 49 CFR 172.301 each person who offers a hazardous material in a non-bulk packaging must mark it with the proper shipping name and identification number, preceded by "UN", "NA" or "ID". The identification number marking must be in characters at least 12 mm (0.47 inches) high, with smaller sizes for smaller packages.
This is general information, not legal or regulatory advice.
Example
A distributor's order holds 2 cartons of replacement lithium ion batteries and 3 cases of paint. If neither item qualifies for an exception, two different table entries apply, so the shipping paper carries 2 basic descriptions: one starting with UN3480 and one starting with UN1263, each followed by the rest of its basic description: proper shipping name, hazard class and, where assigned, packing group.
On Shopify
Shopify's guide to shipping dangerous goods says that in the United States the Hazardous Materials Regulations cover how hazardous materials are defined and how they should be handled, prepared, packaged and shipped. It names laptops with lithium batteries among dangerous goods, suggests checking the Transportation Information section of the manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet, and lists, among packaging considerations, including the correct markings and labels on the package and completing the shipping papers so the carrier knows what is being shipped.
How Uncap helps
On Uncap's wholesale bicycle parts page, lithium batteries get their own shipping rules. Federal hazmat rules require each lithium cell or battery to be of a type proven to meet UN 38.3 testing, so battery SKUs are routed only to eligible shipping services, configured during implementation.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is a UN number?
A UN number is the identification number assigned to a hazardous material's proper shipping name in the US Hazardous Materials Table, such as UN3480 for lithium ion batteries. It must appear on the shipping papers and, for non-bulk packages, in the package marking.
What is the UN number for chemicals?
A chemical's UN number comes from the Hazardous Materials Table entry for its proper shipping name, so each material has its own entry, for example UN1263 for paint. A manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet has a Transportation Information section to check transport risks.
Where does the UN number go on a hazmat shipment?
The UN number goes first in the shipping description on the shipping papers, followed by the proper shipping name and hazard class. Except as otherwise provided, non-bulk packages are marked with the proper shipping name and the identification number, preceded by "UN", and the identification number marking is at least 12 mm high unless a smaller size applies.
What is the difference between a UN number and an NA number?
A UN number is associated with a proper shipping name considered appropriate for international as well as domestic transportation. An NA number is associated with a name not recognized for transportation outside the United States.
