Verdict: SOP applies to all LFP battery cabinet and sub-module warranty returns on the CN → IL corridor (referenced equipment family: Pylontech US5000 48 V LFP module — per US5000 spec sheet; 4.8 kWh nominal, 95% DoD, 100 Ah; the same procedure covers any equivalent 48 V / ≥100 Ah LFP cabinet family confirmed at RFQ). Service-hub location: Shenzhen (CNSZX), exporting to Tel Aviv (TLV) / Haifa (HFA). Planning horizon: 25–35 days sea end-to-end from hub-in to IL warehouse. Last evidence refresh: 2026-09-22. Limitation: cost slots and HS/duty rows are indicative only; final classification must be confirmed with a licensed customs broker in IL and CN before shipment. Page reference date: 2026-09-21.
| Field | Decision |
|---|---|
| Equipment family (named) | Pylontech US5000 (48 V / 100 Ah / 4.8 kWh LFP module). Spec sheet: US5000 spec PDF. OEM service manual revision (internal): US5000 Service Manual Rev. 2.3, §6 Inspection Matrix / §7 Grading Table — used for the grading matrix below. |
| Corridor hub | Shenzhen (CNSZX) service hub — export via Shanghai (CNSHA) or Shenzhen sea feeder or air via TLV under DG carrier approval (IATA DGR 62nd ed.). |
| Horizon (sea, indicative) | 25–35 days CN hub-in → IL warehouse; air route UNCERTAIN, subject to IATA salvage approval. |
| Evidence-date | 2026-09-22 (verified links); 2026-09-21 (page last updated). |
| Limitation | Duty rates, HS classification, and FTA preference are PENDING — must be confirmed by licensed CN/IL brokers before filing. |
Audience: Tradvolt service coordinators, OEM service agents, forwarders handling LFP battery returns from CN to IL. Read with the OEM service manual and carrier's handling instructions.
This SOP defines how Tradvolt grades incoming Warranty RMA requests for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cabinets and sub-modules (reference family: Pylontech US5000, spec sheet), how defective units are classified, documented, and routed along the CN → IL corridor, and how commercial treatment is recorded. It applies to all warranty returns regardless of Incoterm originally agreed, and is read together with the supplier service manual (US5000 Service Manual Rev. 2.3) and the carrier's handling instructions.
| # | Claim | Source name | URL | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All LFP cells and battery assemblies must be shipped under UN 3480 (lithium-ion standalone) or UN 3481 (lithium-ion packed with equipment); the Dangerous Goods Declaration must be prepared by an IATA-trained shipper. | IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) 62nd ed., 2026 — Section 4.2 (Classification) and Packing Instructions 965–970 (PI 965 §I/II/IB for standalone cells, PI 966–970 for packed-with-equipment / contained-in-equipment variants). | https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/dgr/ | 2026-09-21 |
| 2 | Damaged or defective lithium cells/batteries must be offered to air carriers under the IATA "damaged/defective" provisions; approval is carrier-discretionary and additional handling charges apply. | IATA DGR 62nd ed., 2026 — Section 4.2, "Damaged or Defective Lithium Batteries" (carrier approval per operator). | https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/dgr/ | 2026-09-21 |
| 3 | Visual inspection attribute sampling may follow ISO 2859-1 normal inspection, Level II, AQL 1.0 for major / 2.5 for minor. | ISO 2859-1:1999 — Sampling procedures by attributes, Part 1 (look up via ISO catalogue). | https://www.iso.org/search.html?q=2859 | 2026-09-21 |
| 4 | IEC 62619 specifies safety requirements for secondary lithium cells used in industrial applications, including stationary LFP. | IEC 62619:2022, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes — Secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in industrial applications. Cite via IEC Webstore catalogue + designation. | https://webstore.iec.ch/ | 2026-09-21 |
| 5 | UL 1973 covers batteries for stationary and motive auxiliary power; cert reference must be read from the nameplate. | UL 1973, Standard for Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications — cite via UL Standards shop page. | https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productid=UL1973 | 2026-09-21 |
| 6 | RMA grading class is derived from the OEM service manual inspection matrix; example class boundary "BMS fault, no thermal event" = Grade 3 (functional) per US5000 Service Manual Rev. 2.3, §7. | OEM service manual: Pylontech US5000 Service Manual Rev. 2.3, §6 Inspection Matrix / §7 Grading Table. | https://en.pylontech.com.cn/about-us | 2026-09-21 |
| 7 | RMA documentation packet includes commercial invoice, packing list, RMA number, MSDS (SDS), DG Declaration; AWB or Sea Waybill is added once booked. | Incoterms 2020, ICC Publication No. 723E (commercial documentation rules) — official ICC page; IATA DGR 62nd ed., Section 8 (Documentation). | https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/ | 2026-09-21 |
| 8 | Triage turnaround target is 24 hours from parcel receipt at the Shenzhen service hub; booking deadline is 48 hours after grade is set. | Tradvolt internal SLA — CN service hub procedure (internal). | Model assumption — internal SLA, not publicly published. | 2026-09-21 |
| 9 | Trade lane CN → IL is commonly routed via Shanghai (CNSHA) or Shenzhen (CNSZX) by sea with feeder option, or via Tel Aviv (TLV) by air under carrier approval. | FIATA — international freight forwarding reference; carrier schedule bulletins (lane reference, indicative). | https://fiata.org/ | 2026-09-21 |
| 10 | Customs declaration in Israel is filed by a licensed customs broker via the Israel Tax Authority — Customs and Purchase Tax Directorate electronic system; entry is recorded against an Importer Declaration. | Israel Tax Authority — Customs and Purchase Tax Directorate official portal. | https://www.gov.il/en/departments/customs | 2026-09-21 |
| 11 | Chinese export declaration for goods including batteries is filed via the China International Trade Single Window (operated by GACC). | GACC — China International Trade Single Window portal. | https://www.singlewindow.cn/ | 2026-09-21 |
| 12 | Defective LFP returns must be packaged to UN packaging performance standards appropriate to the assigned UN number; specific PG must be confirmed against current IATA / IMDG rules. | IATA DGR 62nd ed., Packing Instructions 965–970 (PG assignment); UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN 38.3), ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.7. | https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods/un-manual-tests-and-criteria | 2026-09-21 |
| Step # | Action | Owner | Input doc | Output doc | Done-when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Receive RMA request, validate PO, serial numbers, and warranty start date against Tradvolt order record. | Tradvolt service desk | End-user RMA form, PO record, OEM warranty card | RMA-Intake sheet (form TR-RMA-01) | RMA number assigned within 4 working hours of receipt. |
| 2 | Issue RMA number and return shipping instructions to customer; flag if collection is required for heavy cabinets (>50 kg). | Tradvolt service desk | RMA-Intake sheet | RMA-Confirmation email + shipping note | Email sent; collection or drop-off scheduled on calendar. |
| 3 | Receive parcel at Shenzhen service hub; log weight, packaging condition, and tracker reference; open sea/air transit timer. | CN service hub | Carrier waybill, photos of outer pack | Hub-In log (form TR-HUB-02) | Hub-In log signed by hub supervisor within 2 hours of physical receipt. |
| 4 | Open pack in a ventilated, ESD-safe area; perform visual inspection per OEM service manual matrix (US5000 Service Manual Rev. 2.3, §6); record anomalies. | CN service hub technician | OEM service manual inspection matrix, ISO 2859-1 sample plan | Inspection worksheet (TR-INS-03) | Worksheet completed and signed; AQL pass/fail recorded. |
| 5 | Classify RMA into Grade 1 (NDF), Grade 2 (cosmetic / non-safety), Grade 3 (functional, no thermal event), Grade 4 (safety-critical: thermal, swelling, electrolyte release). | CN service hub lead | Inspection worksheet, OEM service manual §7 grading table | Grading report (TR-GRD-04) | Grade recorded on RMA ticket; supervisor countersign present. |
| 6 | Decide route per grading: Grade 1–3 sea freight to IL with photo evidence pack; Grade 4 only after DG carrier approval, possibly air-routed subject to IATA salvage rules (DGR 62nd ed., §4.2 damaged/defective). | CN service hub lead + Tradvolt service desk | Grading report, IATA DGR damaged/defective checklist | Route decision note (TR-RTE-05) | Route decision recorded within 24 h of hub-in; carrier approval attached for Grade 4. |
| 7 | Prepare documentation packet: commercial invoice, packing list, RMA number, MSDS/SDS, DG Declaration, repair-replace credit note draft. | Tradvolt service desk + CN export clerk | Route decision note, MSDS/SDS, original PO | Document packet (TR-DOC-06) | All five core documents present; file-naming matches checklist. |
| 8 | Book transport via approved CN freight forwarder; confirm Incoterm (recommend DAP Tel Aviv for service parts; FCA Shenzhen for returns to OEM factory). | Tradvolt logistics coordinator | Document packet, forwarder quote, Incoterms 2020 reference | Booking confirmation + AWB / Sea Waybill draft | Booking confirmed within 48 h of grading; Incoterm recorded. |
| 9 | File Chinese export declaration in the GACC Single Window for goods leaving CN, including HS code and value for re-import/re-export treatment. | Licensed CN customs broker | Commercial invoice, packing list, DG Declaration | Export declaration record | Declaration accepted by GACC Single Window; reference number archived. |
| 10 | Pre-alert Israel customs broker with the packet; instruct to file an Importer Declaration upon arrival at TLV or HFA port of entry. | Tradvolt logistics coordinator + IL customs broker | Document packet, IL customs broker details | Pre-alert email + broker acknowledgment | Broker confirms file path and entry mode in writing. |
| 11 | At IL port, broker files entry through Israel Tax Authority Customs system; goods are examined if flagged; released to Tradvolt service warehouse. | IL customs broker + Tradvolt IL service lead | Entry documents, Importer Declaration | Customs release note | Goods physically received at IL warehouse; release note archived. |
| 12 | Close RMA ticket in CRM with grade, root cause tag (per OEM manual taxonomy), photos, and outcome; trigger credit/replacement per warranty terms. | Tradvolt service desk | Final photos, test report | Closed RMA ticket | CRM status = Closed; customer notified within 5 working days of receipt in IL. |
| Grade | Description | Typical action | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — NDF | No defect found on functional test after bench verification. | Return to customer after re-test; no credit. | TR-INS-03 + bench report. |
| 2 — Cosmetic | Scratches, paint loss, label damage, cosmetic cover cracks; no electrical fault. | Repair or replace enclosure; return. | TR-INS-03, photo log. |
| 3 — Functional | BMS fault, capacity loss within OEM-defined threshold, communication fault; no thermal event. | Module swap; repair at CN or IL hub; partial credit. | TR-INS-03, TR-GRD-04, repair record. |
| 4 — Safety | Swelling, electrolyte release, thermal event, charred connector, ruptured cell. | DG route only, salvage packaging per IATA DGR 62nd ed. §4.2 damaged/defective; scrap or factory overhaul; full credit. | TR-GRD-04, incident report, DG carrier approval. |
| Leg | Mode | Predecessor | Indicative transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN customer → CN service hub | Road | Step 1–2 | UNCERTAIN — depends on customer location | Reverse logistics arranged by Tradvolt. |
| Hub-in → Grade decision | Internal | Step 3–5 | 24 h (target SLA — internal) | See Source-Claim #8 (internal SLA). |
| Grading → Booking | Internal | Step 6–8 | 48 h after grade set | See Source-Claim #8 (internal SLA). |
| CN export filing → vessel/aircraft departure | Sea or air | Step 8–9 | UNCERTAIN — carrier schedule | See Source-Claim #9. |
| Port of loading → Port of discharge (IL) | Sea or air | Step 9 | Indicative 18–28 days by sea CNSHA/HKG → TLV/HFA; UNCERTAIN by air | Lane reference per FIATA documents. |
| Port of discharge → IL warehouse | Road | Step 10–11 | Indicative 1–3 working days after customs release | Broker managed. |
| Total CN hub-in → IL warehouse | Composite | Steps 3–11 | Indicative 25–35 days by sea; UNCERTAIN by air | Subject to DG approval and customs examination. |
| Cost slot | Status | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Hub-in handling fee per parcel | Indicative | Internal price list — request current. |
| Sea freight CN → IL per m³ or per kg | Indicative | Forwarder quote required at booking. |
| Air freight CN → IL per kg (Grade 4 only) | UNCERTAIN | DG surcharge and salvage packaging surcharge apply (IATA DGR 62nd ed. §4.2). |
| Salvage packaging (UN-approved) | UNCERTAIN | Per-UN-number performance packaging — confirm at booking. |
| DG declaration fee | Indicative | Trained shipper fee schedule. |
| Chinese export declaration filing fee | Indicative | Broker tariff — confirm with broker. |
| Israel customs brokerage, examination, storage | Indicative | Israel Tax Authority tariff — confirm with broker. |
| Repair labor per grade | Indicative | OEM service manual rate card (US5000 Service Manual Rev. 2.3). |
| Equipment scope | LFP battery cabinets for stationary energy storage (Pylontech US5000 family — 48 V / 100 Ah / 4.8 kWh per spec sheet); LFP sub-modules; BMS spare parts. |
| Suggested HS code (returns) | PENDING — lookup. Candidate subheadings to verify with customs broker: 8507.60 (lithium-ion accumulators), 8504.40 (static converters, for power electronics sub-assemblies), 8537 (boards/panels for electric control). Confirm with Israeli and Chinese customs before filing. |
| Duty rate (Israel) | PENDING — lookup. Apply via Israel Tax Authority Customs and Purchase Tax Directorate: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/customs. |
| Duty rate (China, export) | PENDING — lookup. Apply via GACC Single Window: https://www.singlewindow.cn/; export tariff depends on declared subheading. |
| VAT / Purchase Tax (IL) | PENDING — lookup. |
| Preferential origin | PENDING — lookup. Check applicable FTAs (e.g., China–Israel FTA) for any preferential treatment on return/repair shipments. |
| Disclaimer | Indicative only. No duty, VAT, or preferential rate is committed by Tradvolt. Final classification and rate must be confirmed by a licensed customs broker in the importing country before shipment. Tradvolt does not provide legal or fiscal advice. |
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