| 1 | 18650 Li-ion | Cylindrical lithium-ion cell;
3.6–3.7 V nominal;
4.2 V maximum charge voltage;
approximately 2,000–3,500 mAh depending on design. | Compact regulated devices and removable-battery vape mods. | Verify continuous discharge rating rather than relying only on marketing claims. Use an intact wrapper, insulated positive terminal, and a compatible charger. Protected and unprotected versions are not interchangeable in every device. | UN 38.3 test summary IEC 62133-2 SDS IEC 61960 capacity data | EU shipments may involve Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and producer-responsibility duties. CE marking is generally associated with the complete electronic product or other applicable legislation, not automatically with a standalone cell. China-origin products commonly require applicable GB testing, including GB 31241 where relevant. | Standalone cells are regulated as lithium-ion batteries under UN 3480. Air transport normally requires an approved package, state-of-charge control, lithium-battery handling labels, and carrier acceptance. Do not ship loose cells in passenger baggage. |
| 2 | 21700 Li-ion | Cylindrical lithium-ion cell;
3.6–3.7 V nominal;
4.2 V maximum charge voltage;
commonly about 3,000–5,000 mAh. | Higher-capacity regulated mods designed specifically for 21700 cells; some devices also accept an adapter for smaller formats. | Confirm device compatibility, cell diameter, length, and terminal design. Capacity and high-current performance can vary significantly by cell construction. Avoid cells with dents, torn insulation, or unknown provenance. | UN 38.3 IEC 62133-2 SDS Lot traceability | The EU, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and Asian markets generally require transport compliance plus local battery-waste and product-safety obligations. Retailers should verify whether the finished vape device is subject to additional national rules. | Larger capacity can increase transport watt-hours and packaging requirements. For air freight, use a forwarder experienced with UN 3480 and confirm the current IATA DGR packing instruction before booking. |
| 3 | 20700 Li-ion | Cylindrical lithium-ion cell;
3.6–3.7 V nominal;
4.2 V maximum charge voltage;
commonly about 3,000–4,000 mAh. | Larger removable-battery devices that specify 20700 compatibility. | Check exact device tolerances because 20700 and 21700 cells have different dimensions. Review continuous-current data, not pulse-current advertising. | UN 38.3 IEC 62133-2 SDS Capacity test report | For the EU and UK, confirm battery registration, labeling, and extended producer-responsibility requirements for the intended sales channel. In the United States, transport is governed primarily by PHMSA hazardous-material rules under 49 CFR. | Ship in a rigid inner package that prevents movement and terminal contact. Loose cells should not be packed together with metal objects or unprotected device parts. |
| 4 | 26650 Li-ion | Large-format cylindrical lithium-ion cell;
3.6–3.7 V nominal;
4.2 V maximum charge voltage;
commonly about 3,000–5,500 mAh. | Larger, high-capacity regulated mods and specialty devices that explicitly support 26650 cells. | Confirm mechanical fit and charging-current limits. Larger capacity does not automatically mean higher safe discharge capability. Use matched cells in multi-cell devices. | UN 38.3 IEC 62133-2 SDS Traceable batch records | National rules normally apply to the battery, the finished device, and waste handling separately. South Korea may require KC-related conformity assessment for applicable products; Japan may apply PSE requirements to specified portable lithium-ion battery categories. | Higher watt-hour ratings may trigger additional carrier review. Confirm the battery's watt-hours, packaging method, and air-transport eligibility before dispatch. |
| 5 | Built-in Li-ion Polymer | Rechargeable lithium-ion polymer pouch cell;
usually 3.7 V nominal;
4.2 V maximum charge voltage;
capacity selected by device design. | Slim pod systems, sealed or semi-sealed rechargeable vape devices, and integrated battery products. | The finished device should include charge protection, over-discharge protection, short-circuit protection, and thermal controls. Confirm pouch swelling resistance, enclosure clearance, and replacement-service procedures. | UN 38.3 IEC 62133-2 IEC 60335/62368 review where applicable SDS | The complete device may require CE-related conformity assessment in the EU, UK conformity assessment for the Great Britain market, FCC authorization for applicable radio functions in the United States, and local electrical or radio approvals elsewhere. | Usually shipped as lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment or packed with equipment, such as UN 3481, rather than as loose cells. The carrier must receive the correct battery configuration and watt-hour information. |
| 6 | Integrated Prismatic Li-ion | Flat or prismatic lithium-ion cell;
commonly 3.6–3.7 V nominal per cell;
capacity and dimensions are device-specific. | Compact pod systems and devices with a rigid internal battery compartment. | Require electrical drawings, protection-circuit specifications, thermal test data, and evidence that the cell is mechanically secured against puncture and compression. | UN 38.3 IEC 62133-2 EMC/RoHS review SDS | EU compliance commonly involves product safety, EMC, RoHS, battery, and waste obligations according to the finished product. U.S. requirements may include FCC rules if the device contains wireless or digital functions. | Protect power buttons and charging ports against accidental activation. Use packaging that prevents crushing, movement, and short circuits during parcel handling. |
| 7 | High-Drain 18650 Li-ion | High-current cylindrical lithium-ion cell;
3.6–3.7 V nominal;
4.2 V maximum charge voltage;
typically lower capacity than energy-focused 18650 cells. | High-power regulated devices and advanced removable-cell applications. | Select according to the device's regulated power limit and the manufacturer's continuous-current requirement. Battery current calculations should use the cell's continuous rating and device efficiency, not peak pulse figures. | UN 38.3 IEC 62133-2 IEC 61960 data Safety test report | Product labels should state chemistry, nominal voltage, capacity, and appropriate warnings. Consumer-product restrictions on vaping products vary by country and may be stricter than general battery regulations. | High-drain capability does not remove dangerous-goods requirements. Transport classification is based primarily on lithium chemistry, configuration, and watt-hours—not on the advertised discharge current alone. |
| 8 | Protected 18650 Li-ion | Cylindrical lithium-ion cell with an added protection circuit;
3.6–3.7 V nominal;
4.2 V maximum charge voltage;
usable capacity depends on the protection circuit and cell design. | Low- to moderate-power devices that specifically allow protected cells. | Confirm total length and diameter because the protection circuit may make the cell longer. Protection circuits are not a substitute for a suitable charger or a device-level safety system. | UN 38.3 IEC 62133-2 Protection-circuit test data SDS | Importers should ensure that warnings, instructions, and labeling meet the destination language requirements. In the EU, battery marking and separate-collection information may be required under applicable battery legislation. | Prevent the protection board and cell terminals from contacting conductive packaging. Ship in non-conductive inner packaging with terminals protected from short circuit. |
| 9 | Dual-Cell Matched Li-ion Pack | Two matched lithium-ion cells in series or parallel;
nominal pack voltage commonly 3.6–7.4 V depending on configuration;
maximum charge voltage commonly 4.2 or 8.4 V. | High-power devices with a dedicated battery pack and battery-management system. | Require cell matching, balancing, over-current protection, over-charge protection, over-discharge protection, thermal monitoring, and a dedicated compatible charger. Do not mix cells with different age, capacity, or state of charge. | UN 38.3 pack-level evidence IEC 62133-2 BMS test report Wiring diagram | The pack and finished device may be assessed differently from individual cells. Confirm local requirements for electrical safety, EMC, radio equipment, labeling, recycling, and importer documentation in each target market. | Declare the complete battery configuration and watt-hours. Shipping documents must distinguish batteries packed with equipment from batteries contained in equipment and must reflect the actual tested configuration. |
| 10 | Rechargeable LiFePO₄ Cell | Lithium iron phosphate cell;
approximately 3.2 V nominal;
approximately 3.6–3.65 V maximum charge voltage;
generally lower energy density and a different discharge profile from standard Li-ion. | Niche or specially engineered devices that explicitly support LiFePO₄ voltage limits. Not a drop-in replacement for standard 3.7 V Li-ion cells. | Confirm that the device, charger, battery-management system, and low-voltage cutoff are designed for LiFePO₄ chemistry. Never substitute it solely because the physical size matches. | UN 38.3 IEC 62133-2 where applicable SDS Chemistry-specific charger data | Battery and finished-product obligations still apply even though the chemistry differs. Confirm destination-market rules for labeling, waste collection, product safety, and any conformity assessment required for the complete device. | Declare the correct lithium chemistry and watt-hours. The charger and device must be separated or clearly identified if their voltage profile is not compatible with conventional lithium-ion cells. |
