Tradvolt — SOP / Process Library

Pre-Shipment Container Loading Inspection (CLI) — CN→CO Corridor

Vertical: LFP battery systemsLane: China → ColombiaMode: FCL ocean, DDU/DDPDoc type: SOP

Owner: Tradvolt QC Desk, Shenzhen
Revision: v1.0 — effective 2026-09-21
Scope: Factory-loaded 20′/40′ GP and HQ containers holding LiFePO₄ cells, modules, racks or assembled BESS cabinets up to terminal-pair handover.
Out of scope: In-country drayage, customs clearance, on-site energising, performance testing (separate SOPs).

Request Quote — replies in 48h

0. Quick verdict

Verdict: 8-step SOP — apply for every LFP FCL shipment on CN→CO. Owner: Tradvolt QC Desk. Horizon: effective 2026-09-21, no sunset. Evidence date: 2026-09-21 (standards and source URLs accessed on this date). Limitation: this SOP is informational; it does not constitute legal, customs or engineering advice and does not replace the current edition of any cited standard or the buyer contract.

Question	Answer
Equipment family covered	LFP cells (e.g. EVE LF280K, public datasheet Rev. model assumption — to be verified), modules and BESS cabinets (e.g. Sungrow ST2752UX liquid-cooled container, 2752 kWh / 1500 V DC, manual Rev. model assumption — to be verified)
Inspection location	CN factory/warehouse loading site before seal-up
Inspection horizon	~3.5 working days end-to-end (document pre-check → loading → report issue)
Output	Signed CLI report (PDF) archived in Tradvolt TMS for 7 years
Limitation	HS classification and duty rates placeholder; binding ruling not provided by Tradvolt

1. Purpose

This SOP defines the repeatable sequence Tradvolt QC inspectors follow when performing a pre-shipment Container Loading Inspection (CLI) on lithium battery cargo moving from the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Colombia. The objective is to verify that product quality, packing, marking, documentation and container condition satisfy the buyer's purchase order, applicable dangerous-goods regulations and ICC Incoterms 2020 obligations before the seal is applied.

2. References and allow-listed sources

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, 7th revised edition (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.7), Section 38.3 (UN 38.3 lithium battery provisions). [Src: UNECE Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN 38.3) | accessed 2026-09-21 | canonical UN page, bot-walled for automated checks]
IEC 62133-2:2017, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes — Safety requirements for portable lithium-ion cells (exact publication). [Src: IEC 62133-2 publication page | accessed 2026-09-21]
IEC 62619:2022 ed.2, Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in industrial applications including stationary/ESS (TC 21/SC 21A). [Src: IEC 62619 publication page | accessed 2026-09-21]
UL 1973, Standard for Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications. [Src: UL 1973 standard page | accessed 2026-09-21]
IEC 63056:2020, Energy storage systems — Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries (to 1500 V DC) (TC 21). [Src: IEC 63056 publication page | accessed 2026-09-21]
ISO 2859-1, Sampling procedures by attributes, AQL. [Src: ISO search (ISO 2859) | accessed 2026-09-21 | cite ISO number+title+year in text; never guess /standard/NNNNN.html deep URLs]
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), 67th edition. [Src: IATA Dangerous Goods (DGR) programme | accessed 2026-09-21 | edition verified at RFQ]
ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. [Src: ICAO Dangerous Goods page | accessed 2026-09-21]
ICC Incoterms® 2020. [Src: ICC Incoterms 2020 | accessed 2026-09-21]
FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading and forwarding guidance. [Src: FIATA | accessed 2026-09-21] / [Src: FIATA eFBL platform | accessed 2026-09-21]
China General Administration of Customs (GACC), English portal. [Src: GACC English portal | accessed 2026-09-21]
DIAN (Colombia), official portal. [Src: DIAN | accessed 2026-09-21]
OEM service manuals and product datasheets (vary by SKU — exact model, manual title and revision recorded per CLI-01). [Claim | model assumption — EVE LF280K datasheet Rev. to be verified; Sungrow ST2752UX manual Rev. to be verified]

3. Step sequence

#	Action	Owner	Input	Output	Done-when
1	Open CLI ticket, confirm PO and lock date	QC dispatcher	Work order, PO, booking	TMS ticket	Status = scheduled
2	Verify UN 38.3 summary, MSDS, CE/UL marks and OEM datasheet (model + Rev.)	QC inspector	UN 38.3, MSDS, OEM docs	CLI-01	All rows ✓; miss = hold
3	Carton sampling, ISO 2859-1 General Level II, AQL 1.0 / 4.0	QC inspector	Packing list	Sampling sheet + photos	Sample size per table; non-conforming ≤ AQL
4	Electrical/thermal/gas spot checks on samples (PPE)	QC inspector	Clamp meter, IR thermometer, optional PID/thermal camera	CLI-02 log	V/IR/T within OEM datasheet limits; no abnormal VOC/H₂/CO
5	Empty container walkthrough + reefer pre-cool ≤ 25 °C	QC inspector	Container (CSC valid), EMS	CLI-03	Clean, dry, odour-free; T-bar intact
6	Load, brace, lash, photograph each layer	QC + loader	Load plan, dunnage, lashings	CLI-04 photos	Plan followed; lashings torqued
7	Apply ISO 17712 seals; record numbers	QC inspector	High-security bolt seal	CLI-05	Seal #s logged + photographed
8	Issue final CLI report; archive in TMS 7 y	QC lead	CLI-01…CLI-05	Signed CLI report	Uploaded to TMS

4. Inspector toolkit and calibration

Tool	Specification	Calibration evidence
Digital clamp meter	DC V ±0.5 %; mΩ 1 mΩ	Valid cal cert
IR thermometer	−30 to 650 °C, adjustable emissivity, laser aim	Valid cal cert
Thermal camera	NETD ≤ 0.1 °C; −20 to 650 °C	Valid cal cert
PID VOC detector	Drift mode; lamp cleaning logged	Zero-gas check on day-of-use
Photoionisation sensor	0–10 000 ppm isobutylene-equiv.	Span on day-of-use

5. Sampling — AQL reference

Carton-level sampling uses ISO 2859-1 General Level II with two parallel AQLs: AQL 1.0 for critical defects (D-reading mismatch, missing/illegible marking, polarity reverse) and AQL 4.0 for major defects (visible dent beyond spec, scuff exposing cells, label torn). Sample sizes for typical container lots fall into the ranges below; the exact accept/reject numbers must be read from the current ISO 2859-1 edition.

Lot size (cartons)	Sample (Level II)	Accept / Reject — AQL 1.0	Accept / Reject — AQL 4.0
26–50	8	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)
51–90	13	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)
91–150	20	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)
151–280	32	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)
281–500	50	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)
501–1 200	80	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)	per ISO 2859-1 (refer)

[Claim | Src: ISO 2859-1 | URL: https://www.iso.org/search.html?q=2859 | accessed 2026-09-21 | cite ISO number+title+year in text]

6. Pre-load electrical and thermal checks

Spot checks on sampled modules only — never on energised strings. Only trained, PPE-equipped inspectors may open the BMS enclosure to land a probe on a low-voltage test point. Values must fall within the OEM-published limits on the cell/module/BMS datasheet; limits below are indicative ranges, not hard-coded acceptance numbers.

Parameter	Indicative acceptable range	Reference
Open-circuit voltage vs. SOC	Within ±50 mV of datasheet curve	OEM Datasheet
Internal resistance (1 kHz)	Within datasheet mΩ band	OEM Datasheet
Surface temperature at rest	≤ ambient + 5 °C after 1 h soak	OEM Datasheet
Cell-to-pack voltage delta	≤ 30 mV (indicative)	OEM Datasheet

[Claim | Src: OEM Datasheet | per-SKU | accessed 2026-09-21 | example EVE LF280K datasheet Rev. model assumption — to be verified; Sungrow ST2752UX manual Rev. model assumption — to be verified]

7. Container condition and EMS pre-conditioning

For LFP modules in ISO 20′/40′ GP containers, Tradvolt recommends refrigerated (reefer) transport with the unit on climate-control mode and the controller set to keep cargo-space air ≤ 25 °C throughout the voyage. The reefer setpoint is established at the load site and recorded in CLI-03.

Check	Acceptance criterion
CSC plate	Valid, not expired, matches container ID
Floor integrity	No holes, standing water or oil staining
Sidewalls/roof	No through-going damage; no chemical residue
T-bar and lashing rails	All present and structurally sound
Door seals	Continuous, intact, no daylight visible
Pre-cool setpoint	≤ 25 °C recorded before first pallet in
Odour screen	No solvent/chemical smell pre-load

[Claim | Src: FIATA eFBL platform | URL: https://www.efbl.fiata.org/ | accessed 2026-09-21]

8. Load plan, lashing and bracing

The warehouse builds a load plan referencing OEM carton dimensions and the container's internal dimensions, keeping the centre of gravity inside the longitudinal and transverse limits. Lashing and bracing follow the carrier's published rules and the FIATA cargo-securing guidance. Every layer is photographed before the next is set down.

Element	Method	Evidence
Base layer	Dunnage, friction mat, corner protectors	Layer-1 photo
Stacking	No dome past carton limit; no pyramid	Layer-N photos
Lashings	Polyester strapping or chains per carrier	Lashing detail photo
Top-off	Anti-slip sheet; vacuum bags if prescribed	Top-off photo
Reefer probe + data logger	One temperature probe inside cargo space	Probe placement photo

[Claim | Src: FIATA | URL: https://fiata.org/ | accessed 2026-09-21]

9. Seal, paperwork handover, incident handling

The container is sealed with ISO 17712-compliant high-security bolt seals. Seal numbers are recorded on the inspection report, seal register, Tradvolt TMS, and commercial documents. Any seal replacement before B/L handover requires a written statement countersigned by carrier and shipper.

Defect class	Trigger	Action
Critical	Marking illegible, polarity reverse, broken BMS fuse	Lot on hold; photo; NCR within 24 h
Major	Dent exceeding datasheet, scuff exposing cells	Hold affected pallets; sort; record disposition
Minor	Cosmetic blemish, label misalignment	Log; do not block lot

[Claim | Src: ISO 2859-1 | URL: https://www.iso.org/search.html?q=2859 | accessed 2026-09-21 | cite ISO number+title+year in text]

10. Timeline

Phase	Indicative duration	Depends on
Document pre-check (CLI-01)	0.5 day	Booking + MSDS available
Carton sampling + measurements	1.0 day	Lot complete; PPE available
Container walkthrough + pre-cool	0.5 day	Empty container on site; reefer powered
Loading, lashing, sealing	1.0 day	Load plan approved; lashings on site
Report issue + archiving	0.5 day	All CLI-0x forms complete
Total	~3.5 working days	Carrier cut-off not in scope

11. Cost slots

Indicative only; final figures confirmed in the returned offer. USD net of taxes unless stated. No rate published as a fixed price on this page.

Cost slot	Indicator	Note
Inspector man-day (Shanghai/Shenzhen/Ningbo/Qingdao)	indicative	Final in offer, 48 h RFQ
Reefer pre-cool energy surcharge	indicative	Recharged at terminal; cost net
ISO 17712 high-security seal	indicative	Per seal, billed as consumed
Third-party re-inspection (buyer-mandated)	UNCERTAIN	Pass-through, on request
Re-issue fee for amended CLI report	UNCERTAIN	Only if buyer request beyond SOP

12. Duty / HS hook

Disclaimer. HS classification and duty rates depend on exact technical description, end-use and declared value. Tradvolt does not provide binding customs rulings. Figures below are placeholders for an internal lookup and are not a quote.

Item	Value
Indicative HS (lithium-ion accumulators)	8507.60 — verify against official nomenclature
Indicative HS (cabinets/racks with control)	8537.10 — verify against official nomenclature
Duty rate, CN export side	PENDING — lookup via GACC
Duty rate, CO import side (arancel)	PENDING — lookup via DIAN
VAT / IVA rate, Colombia	PENDING — lookup via DIAN schedule
FTA preference (if any)	PENDING — lookup; not assumed
Incoterms 2020 — sale basis	FOB / CIF / DDP selectable; EoR defined per term (see ICC Incoterms 2020)

13. Document checklist (kept in Tradvolt TMS)

CLI-01-paperwork-checklist.pdf
CLI-02-measurement-log.xlsx
CLI-03-container-form.pdf
CLI-04-load-photos/ (per-layer)
CLI-05-seal-record.pdf
UN38.3-test-summary.pdf
MSDS-LFP-rev<n>.pdf
OEM-datasheet-<SKU>.pdf (model + Rev. recorded per SKU)
Commercial-Invoice.pdf
Packing-List.pdf
Bill-of-Lading-draft.pdf
ISO-2859-1-AQL-table.pdf
Container-photos-empty/
Seal-photos/

14. RFQ — final CTA

For pricing tailored to your SKU mix, container type and ship-from factory, send the dossier to Tradvolt QC. A trade expert replies within 48 hours with firm scope and cost slots converted to a final line-item quote.

Request Quote — replies in 48h

15. Sources and accessed dates

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN 38.3) — unece.org — accessed 2026-09-21 (canonical UN page, bot-walled).
IEC 62133-2 — IEC Webstore publication 70017 — accessed 2026-09-21.
IEC 62619 — IEC Webstore publication 64073 — accessed 2026-09-21.
IEC 63056 — IEC Webstore publication 29224 — accessed 2026-09-21.
UL 1973 — UL 1973 standard page — accessed 2026-09-21.
ISO 2859-1 — ISO search — accessed 2026-09-21 (cite ISO number+title+year in text).
IATA DGR 67th — IATA DGR programme — accessed 2026-09-21.
ICAO TI — ICAO Dangerous Goods — accessed 2026-09-21.
ICC Incoterms 2020 — ICC Incoterms 2020 — accessed 2026-09-21.
FIATA — fiata.org / eFBL — accessed 2026-09-21.
GACC — english.customs.gov.cn — accessed 2026-09-21.
DIAN — dian.gov.co — accessed 2026-09-21.
OEM datasheets/manuals — vary by SKU; model + Rev. recorded per CLI-01. Examples: EVE LF280K datasheet Rev. (model assumption — to be verified); Sungrow ST2752UX manual Rev. (model assumption — to be verified) — accessed 2026-09-21.