To get your battery pack UN 38.3 certified from the third party Test Center, you need

1. Pay for 16 battery packs. You won't get these back as the test center keep it.

2. Test Lab in China: Regular testing fee around $1,300.00 - $1,500.00 to the Test Center.  Lead time: about 3 months.

The certification is good within the calendar year. (That means even the test is approved on November, it will expire at the end of Dec 31th.) Then you will need to pay a renewal fee (around $200 + 2 battery packs, price might change at renewal date, depends on the test center's quotation) .

3. Test Lab in US. Testing fee around $5000 to the Test Center. Lead time: about 2 months. The certification is good forever. 

4. Here is the comparison table

Test Center	Number of Samples	Fee	Expiration & Renewal	Lead Time
Test Lab in China	16 (Non returnable)	$1500	Valid only for current calender year. Renewal fee: $200/year, plus 2 battery samples. This price might change due to the test lab's quotation.	3 months
Test Lab in USA	16 (Non returnable)	$5000	Valid as long as there is no change for the design	2 months

-- Updated on 9/7/2011