At a glance: what EMPTY includes vs excludes

• Includes: housings, mouthpieces, integrated cell/charger port, indicators, mechanical drawings/dielines, lithium battery transport documents (UN 38.3 test summary for the exact cell/pack).  
• Excludes: any oil or consumable; finished-goods labels/symbols/warnings; cannabis/nicotine potency disclosures; end-consumer Instructions for Use unless negotiated by the licensee.

Transport compliance touches EMPTY hardware because an integrated lithium cell triggers UN 38.3 documentation and—on air legs—state-of-charge practices per the IATA Lithium Battery Guidance (≤30% SoC becomes mandatory Jan 1, 2026, with limited approvals above that).  

Who supplies which COA?

Oil COA (finished goods)

Potency, contaminants, and residual-solvent COAs belong to the licensed filler/brand owner who places the finished product on the market; these documents are outside the scope of an EMPTY shell vendor.

Battery & safety paperwork (hardware)

The hardware vendor maintains lithium documentation, most importantly the UN 38.3 Test Summary (TS) that proves the specific cell/pack design passed the UN Manual §38.3 tests and provides traceability fields (manufacturer/contact, model string, test house, dates, report reference, conformance statement). Keep the exact TS that matches the integrated model.  

For platform safety programs, many buyers also align QA with IEC 62133-2 (portable sealed secondary lithium systems under intended use and foreseeable misuse).  

Labeling duties: EMPTY vs finished-goods

EMPTY shell vendor

• Supplies dielines/clear-area specs; does not apply cannabis/nicotine symbols or warning panels.
• Provides transport documents (e.g., UN 38.3 TS) to shippers; SoC implementation is an operational/logistics control, not a consumer label.  

Finished-goods licensee/brand

• Applies required universal symbols and warnings per jurisdiction (many U.S. states are converging on or referencing the ASTM D8441 IICPS concept or a state variant).  
• Ensures state legality (24 adult-use states; 40 medical states as of June 26, 2025) and updates packaging when regulations change.  

Exploring category coverage? Start with ace ultra premium wholesale and product-specific discovery at empty ace ultra 2g or broader capacity options via ace disposable wholesale. EMPTY hardware only (no oil). Adults 21+; licensed B2B; legal jurisdictions.

Charging & handling language you can re-use

If your finished kit includes an IFU, keep consumer guidance aligned with mainstream safety bodies: charge on a hard, visible surface; avoid extreme temperatures; use intact, compatible chargers; stop on heat/odor/swelling. These directions mirror FDA consumer safety tips and the protection logic highlighted by U.S. CPSC.  

Compliance statement template (copy, then customize)

FAQ

Does the ≤30% SoC rule appear on the retail label?

No. It’s a transport condition enforced by shippers/forwarders under IATA guidance; it is not a consumer mark. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Is the UN 38.3 TS the same as a full test report?

No. It’s a standardized summary with traceability elements; keep it on file for the exact integrated model. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Sources & Update Log

• PHMSA — Lithium Battery Test Summaries (TS), revised July 2024 (overview + PDF).  
• IATA — Lithium Battery Guidance Document 2025 (≤30% SoC & 2026 mandate).  
• IEC 62133-2:2017 — Portable lithium systems safety scope. : 
• FDA — Tips to help avoid vape battery fires or explosions (consumer safety language). 
• CPSC — Commissioner statement on lithium-ion protections (BMS/charger compatibility context).  
• NCSL — U.S. state status (medical/adult use counts), updated June 26, 2025.  
• ASTM D8441 IICPS overview.  

Last updated: Nov 13, 2025.