What certificates does a handheld cordless vacuum need to enter the US?

For a handheld cordless vacuum, the things you must have are: UN38.3 battery test summary; Lithium battery package mark; Country of origin marking.

The things you must have

• UN38.3 battery test summary

  Ask your factory for its test summary; you'll keep it with the battery model's records.

• Lithium battery package mark

  Your factory marks the battery packaging; you'll ask for photos before shipping.

• Country of origin marking

  Your factory supplies English markings.

How many requirements are in the checklist?

The full checklist has 6 items: 2 apply to every product in this category, 4 apply only in some situations, and 0 are notes rather than steps.

Laboratory tests and their conditions

All eight UN38.3 tests; UL 2056

Ask for the reports below when their stated uses apply to your product.

• UN38.3 test summary

  Required for this category

• UL/ETL certification from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)

  Amazon requires power banks to meet one of three testing combinations (UL 2056 and others; secondary source).

• 49 CFR 173.185: batteries must pass UN38.3.

  Required for this category

• Air transport: batteries shipped separately are banned from passenger aircraft; on cargo aircraft, charge is limited to 30%.

  Applies only if: batteries are shipped separately by air.

• IATA: from 2026-01-01, batteries packed with equipment must also be at ≤30% charge.

  Applies only if: batteries are shipped by air packed with equipment, from 2026-01-01.

• Travelers must carry power banks in carry-on baggage only. ≤100Wh needs no approval; 101–160Wh needs airline approval; >160Wh is banned from baggage.

  Applies only if: a traveler is carrying a power bank.

What to look at for this product

If your handheld cordless vacuum uses a rechargeable lithium pack, request the transport test summary for the pack installed in that handheld model.

If your vacuum will travel with its lithium battery, check the battery marking planned for the shipping package with the supplier.

If your vacuum's replacement battery will ship alone by air, ask how the carrier applies the passenger aircraft prohibition to that separate battery consignment.

If your vacuum's battery is packed with the equipment for air shipment, check the applicable charge restriction with the shipper handling the battery package.

If your vacuum has transport test evidence supplied, request the results identifying the cell and pack design in that handheld unit.

If your vacuum's battery travels as air cargo, ask for the charge limit that applies to the cell and pack design being shipped without equipment.

Labels and state rules

Lithium battery mark on packaging (173.185(c))

SB 1215 (fee rate 1.5%, capped at $15, according to industry sources)

How this page was prepared

This page matches a product name to the rule library. We haven't inspected the physical product, and this isn't legal advice.