UN 3480 Tunnel Restrictions in Spain: ADR Guide

Question asked to Palen

Revised on Sep 1, 2026

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I am transporting four pallets of UN 3480 lithium batteries to Spain. The journey passes through several tunnels. How can I determine which traffic restrictions apply?

Tunnel-restriction determination for UN 3480

First check whether Special Provision 188 applies. Lithium-ion cells not exceeding 20 Wh and lithium-ion batteries not exceeding 100 Wh may be exempt from the other ADR requirements only when all conditions of SP 188 are met, including the applicable testing, protection, packaging, and marking conditions. A consignment genuinely carried under this exemption is not subject to tunnel restrictions. (ADR 3.3.1, SP 188, Volume 1, page 588)
If SP 188 does not apply, check the small-load exemption in ADR 1.1.3.6. UN 3480 is assigned to transport category 2, for which the maximum total quantity per transport unit is 333 under the calculation rules of ADR 1.1.3.6.3. If the entire transport unit remains within that limit and all conditions of 1.1.3.6 are fulfilled, the batteries are not subject to tunnel restrictions. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3480, columns 15 and 15a, Volume 1; ADR 1.1.3.6.3, Volume 1; ADR 8.6.3.3, Volume 2, page 657)
For a non-exempt load, use the tunnel code in Table A. UN 3480, LITHIUM ION BATTERIES, has tunnel restriction code (E). (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3480, column 15, Volume 1)
Apply code E to each tunnel on the route. A transport unit subject to the full ADR requirements and carrying only UN 3480 batteries may pass through:

Category A tunnels;
Category B tunnels;
Category C tunnels; and
Category D tunnels.

It may not enter a Category E tunnel. (ADR 8.6.4, Volume 2, page 658)

Identify the category from the road sign at each tunnel. No tunnel-category sign means Category A; the supplementary letter displayed—B, C, D, or E—identifies the corresponding restricted tunnel category. (ADR 8.6.2, Volume 2, page 657)
Assess the whole load, not merely the four battery pallets. If any other dangerous goods are loaded in the same transport unit, determine every applicable tunnel code and apply the most restrictive code to the complete load. (ADR 8.6.3.2, Volume 2, page 657)

Operational conclusion: Four pallets alone do not determine whether ADR 1.1.3.6 applies; calculate the total relevant quantity of UN 3480 on the transport unit and include any other dangerous goods. If the transport exceeds the 1.1.3.6 threshold or otherwise does not qualify for that exemption, plan the Spain route to avoid every tunnel signed E and ensure the vehicle displays the required orange plates. Tunnel restrictions apply to transport units for which orange plates are required. (ADR 8.6.4, Volume 2, pages 657–658)

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