The 47-Question E-Bike Battery Procurement Checklist Every Importer Must Ask

Every year, importers around the world lose money buying batteries that don’t perform as promised. Here are the 47 questions you must answer before placing a battery order.

Specifications (Questions 1-12)

• 1. What exact model number, and which international or Chinese standards does it meet (GB/T, IEC, EN)?
• 2. What is the rated capacity at 20°C, and at what discharge rate was this measured?
• 3. What are exact dimensions in mm, and exact weight in kg?
• 4. What is the rated cycle life, and at what depth of discharge (DOD) is this measured?
• 5. What are the maximum continuous discharge current and recommended charging parameters?
• 6. What are the operating temperature ranges for discharge and charge?
• 7. What is the self-discharge rate per month at 25°C and 40°C?
• 8. What terminal type — lead, copper-embedded, or Anderson connector?
• 9. What is the case material IP rating?
• 10. What are the 100% DOD and 80% DOD cycle life ratings specifically?
• 11. What alloy composition — specifically, cadmium, arsenic, or antimony content?
• 12. What is the charge retention after 30 days at 25°C?

Quality and Manufacturing (Questions 13-25)

• 13. Can you provide third-party test reports from TÜV, SGS, or equivalent?
• 14. What quality and environmental management systems is the factory certified under?
• 15. What is your UN38.3 transport test certification status?
• 16. What is your defect rate at outgoing quality control, and how is this measured?
• 17. Do you conduct formation charging at the factory before shipment?
• 18. What is your production lead time from order confirmation to shipment ready?
• 19. What is your maximum production capacity per month for this model?
• 20. Do you offer private label / OEM branding on the battery label?
• 21. Do you have R&D partnerships with academic institutions?
• 22. What patents do you hold related to this battery technology?
• 23. Can you provide samples for pre-shipment inspection?
• 24. What is your track record on defect rates in my target market?
• 25. Have you exported to my target market before, and can you provide references?

Commercial Terms (Questions 26-38)

• 26. FOB and CIF pricing for my target port?
• 27. Payment terms: T/T, L/C, or DP?
• 28. Warranty policy: what does it cover, what does it exclude, and how are claims handled?
• 29. What documentation is provided with each shipment (CO, CI, PL, BL)?
• 30. Can you provide MSDS for each battery and Certificate of Origin?
• 31. What is your policy on short shipments or quality disputes?
• 32. Minimum order quantity and volume discount tiers?
• 33. Do you have exclusivity arrangements in my target market?
• 34. Do you offer technical support in my language for my customers?

Market-Specific (Questions 35-47)

• 35. Which certifications do you hold for my target import country?
• 36. Do you have experience with my country’s import labeling requirements?
• 37. Can you provide batteries with country-specific marks: BIS (India), SIRIM (Malaysia), SABS (South Africa), SASO (Saudi Arabia)?
• 38. Have you had any battery transport incidents or customs holds in the past 3 years?

A supplier who can answer all 47 questions clearly — with documentation — is a supplier you can trust. One who deflects, gives vague answers, or refuses to provide test reports should be avoided.