Forget About Air Shipping Lithium Batteries Via Australia Post
Remember back in 2006 when lithium batteries were exploding left, right and centre? I don’t know about you, but my laptop became a notebook overnight when I realised what an exploding battery might do to my manhood. Australia Post has had a similar epiphany, albeit three years later, and are now refusing to ship anything with a lithium battery by air.
Craig Simms over at CNet has the report that the Lithium batteries are now classed as dangerous, and Australia Post is restricting how they are sent. Lithium-ion batteries can still be sent by road, so long as they are “rated for 2 grams, 100-Watt-hours or under” (whatever that means). And although most Lithium-ion batteries fit that requirement, there’s another hitch in that batteries with more than four cells are considered not safe to send, which rules out a whole heap of laptop batteries.
As CNet points out, this could have a huge knock-on effect on grey importing of electronics as well. Of course, it still seems a bit weird that Australia Post won’t let you ship the batteries by mail, even though you can still carry them with you on a passenger flight, but at least nobody loses their testicles this way…
[CNet]
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Comments
I came across this problem a couple days ago when I wanted to send my laptop to a friend. It was bizzare, I wasn’t allowed to Express Post it, I could Registered Post it for road delivery, and I wasn’t allowed to take out insurance on it.
Came across this yesterday when I went to send a laptop I sold on eBay. Not only could I not send it by Express Post (also ended up sending it Registered Post) but they also wanted me to pack the battery separately from the rest of the computer. Not cool when your delivery time suddenly blows out by 3-4 days thanks to a pointless rule.
Shameless promotion for myself here.
Australia Post won’t take it, but Pack & Send stores can still send them.
Basically to send Lithium Metal/Ion batteries, you have to become a registered agent.
Australia Post have declined to do this, we are registered agents and can send them internationally/nationally on overnight services if you want.
Things like mobiles are $30 delivered next day, laptops around $50 depending on the size.
Of course, this is a lot more expensive than the post was, but if you need the service it is there.
well yeah, but im sure the extra few dollars in the cost will be used to replace the jumbo jets that get blown out of the sky by the batteries. so its understandable.
i know that most of the international mail service in P.R.China refused to post mobile phone batteries. they can do the phone itself though, but without batteries I don’t know what is going to be the point.
Does this affect cheap batteries purchased off ebay from china etc.?
A bit more info from the Red Giant, thanks Aus Post for responding :)
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Australia Post has reviewed its position in relation to the carriage of lithium batteries following changes to the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods..
All lithium batteries are now considered Dangerous Goods and as such Australia Post is not able to accept lithium batteries and equipment containing lithium batteries for mailing overseas or for domestic air transport. Domestic items can be sent by road transport only using Ordinary, Registered or COD Postal Services. Such items will be carried in the mail within Australia via Australia Post’s parcels service provided that certain conditions are met.
To make sure that your item is safe to send you must:
-Check that the amount of lithium in the battery is not more than the permitted amount. This is 2grams / lithium ion battery or 100 Watt-Hour / lithium ion batteries. Most lithium batteries used in consumer electronic devices will not contain more than the allowed amounts.
-Package the item properly. Batteries must be packaged so that they are protected from damage or short circuit. Ask counter staff for assistance if you’re unsure.
-Send your package as a parcel and put a Road Transport Only sticker or clearly write Road Transport Only (preferably in red) on the package next to the delivery address.
Most lithium batteries used in consumer electronic devices contain less than the permitted amount of lithium. For example the following devices and batteries for such devices will be safe to send by land only:
Mobile phones, ipods, cameras, MP3s players, portable DVD players, most lap-top computers, camcorders, power tools, GPS navigation systems, watches, clocks, calculators, toys, remote car locks, bicycle lights, electronic shavers and other consumer electronic devices.
If you are unsure however or think that a battery may have a high lithium content contact the manufacturer.