Shipping Carrier Policies for Batteries
Recently, many shipping carriers have changed their policies in regards to shipping Li-Ion batteries through the mail. If you’re importing or exporting batteries or mobile phones with batteries in them, these new policy changes could affect you. Customs clearance has been seizing many more parcels, which could put your merchandise at risk. Below we will highlight the changes implemented by the major carriers.
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Why the recent changes to shipping batteries through the mail?
It all comes down to safety. With so many batteries being produced of various qualities in China and other manufacturing countries outside of the USA, these batteries pose a large risk when being transported through shipping carriers’ airplanes and trucks. Recently, an iPhone battery caught fire while in transit on an airplane. If just one battery can pose a risk of catching fire, then shipping larger wholesale orders of batteries can pose a much larger risk.
USPS Policy for Shipping Batteries:
USPS does not allow shipping separate lithium batteries or batteries packed with the equipment. Similarly, the retailer cannot mail damaged batteries or recalled batteries with defects. Some important instructions for mailing lithium-ion batteries for cell phones are:
- Only lithium batteries that are installed in equipment are eligible for shipping.
- A single shipment must not contain more than two lithium-ion batteries or four lithium-ion cells maximum.
- Maximum lithium content must not be more than 100 watt-hour (Wh) for a single battery.
- For cell, lithium content must not have more than a 20 watt-hour rating (Wh).
- Every battery must have a Wh marking to indicate its limits.
- Batteries installed in phones/equipment must have a protection mechanism against short circuits and damage.
- Each piece of equipment must be packed in a sealed package to prevent damage or movement of device.
- Equipment must have preventive measures to control activation or turning on.
Reference Link: http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22350/html/updt_002.htm
UPS Policy for Shipping Batteries
Retailers must not ship recalled batteries with technical defects from the manufacturer. UPS has slightly different regulations for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries. A damaged package must not be transported through air mail.
Lithium Ion Batteries
- A lithium-ion battery must not exceed the rating of 100 Wh per battery and 20 Wh per cell.
- For lithium-ion batteries/cells packed along, the package must not contain more than eight cells or two batteries at the maximum.
- Cells or batteries packed within the equipment must have proper safety measures against activation of the device, protective packaging, and safety measures against short circuits.
Lithium Metal Batteries
- A lithium metal battery must not contain more than 2g of lithium and 1g lithium for cells.
- For an individual battery, shipments must not contain more than two batteries or eight cells in a single container.
- If batteries are shipped with equipment, batteries must be packed in a protective package with preventative measures for short circuit, damage, and movement.
Reference Link: http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/batteries.html
FedEx Express Policy for Shipping Batteries
Lithium Ion Batteries
- For a separate lithium-ion battery shipment, it must not contain more than eight cells of 20 Wh or less and two batteries of 100 Wh or less. The shipment must contain the IATA issued Lithium Battery Label.
- For lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment, FedEx has a PAX and CAO limit of 5kg each. A shipment must contain cells with a rating of 20Wh or less and batteries with a rating of 100Wh or less.
- For lithium-ion batteries packed within the equipment, FedEx requires a IATA lithium battery label for shipments containing more than two batteries of four cells per package. The PAX and CAO limit for these shipments is 5kg each.
Lithium Metal Batteries
- For separate lithium metal batteries, shipments must not exceed a total weight of 2.5kg for cells and batteries with less than 0.3g of lithium. For cells with lithium content of less than 1g, a shipment must not exceed eight cells or two batteries containing less than or equal to 2g of lithium.
- For lithium metal batteries packed with cell phones, the amount of lithium must not exceed 1g in cells and 2g in batteries. All the shipments must be less than or equal to the PAX and CAO limit of 5kg each. The shipment must have a complete IATA Lithium Battery Label.
- For lithium metal batteries packed within the equipment, the amount of lithium should not exceed 1g in cells and 2g in batteries. The shipment must contain a complete IATA Lithium Battery Label if it contains more than two batteries of four cells per package. The PAX and CAO limit must not exceed 5kg.
Reference Link: http://www.fedex.com/jp_english/about/local/servicenews/lithium_batteries.html
DHL Policy for Shipping Batteries
Lithium Ion Batteries
- For bulk lithium-ion batteries, a shipment with batteries and cells with a rating lower than 2.7 Wh must not be more than 2.5kg in weight. A shipment carrying batteries and cells with rating of 20 Wh or less must not contain more than two batteries or eight cells in a single package. All the shipments must carry a lithium-ion battery label with the weight of shipment and constituents.
- For lithium-ion batteries packed with the equipment, batteries must have equal to or less than a 100 Wh rating and cells must be equal to or less than a 20 Wh rating. A single package must not contain more than two spares aside from the batteries required to power the device. The maximum PAX and CAO limit for shipment is 5kg.
- For lithium-ion batteries contained in the equipment, a shipment with batteries rated 100 Wh or less and cells rated 20 Wh or less with less than or equal to two batteries and four cells do not require labels or any maximum gross package limit. For equipment with more than two batteries or four cells of 100 Wh or 20 Wh, respectively, the maximum PAX and CAO limit is 5kg. The shipment must have a lithium-ion battery label.
Lithium Metal Batteries
- For bulk/loose lithium metal batteries, there is no limit on the number of cells or batteries with less than 0.3g of lithium content and the package weight must not exceed 2.5kg. For lithium metal batteries with more than 0.3g but less than 2g lithium content and lithium metal cells with more than 0.3g but less than 1g lithium content, the package must not exceed the limit of two batteries and eight cells. Each of these shipments must have the lithium metal battery label.
- For lithium metal batteries with less than 2g lithium for batteries and 1g for cells, the shipment must not carry more than two spares in addition to the batteries/cells required to power the equipment. The maximum limit for PAX and CAO is 5kg for these shipments. All the shipments must carry a lithium metal batteries label.
- For lithium metal batteries contained within equipment, a shipment with batteries having less than or equal to 2g lithium and cells with less than 1g lithium, there is no gross quantity or package limit for equipment with less or equal to two batteries and four cells. For equipment carrying more than two batteries or four cells, the PAX and CAO limit is 5kg and shipments must have a lithium metal batteries label.
Reference Link: http://www.dhl-usa.com/en/express/shipping/shipping_advice/lithium_batteries.html#guides_materials
Canada Post Policy for Shipping Batteries
Canada Post does not allow the shipment of lithium batteries to the United States or any other international destinations. It is possible to send lithium batteries within Canada only. Here are some important rules for sending lithium batteries through airmail within Canada.
- Lithium batteries must only be shipped within Canada.
- Batteries which are recalled or damaged are not eligible for delivery.
http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGabcmail-e.asp#1510298
China POST EMS
China Post has a “no battery export” policy. Previously, they were the ones to go to when shipping batteries to the US from China, but recent influences from manufacturers and freight companies concerned about non-original batteries has caused this restriction.
Hong Kong Post Policy for Shipping Batteries
According to a notice issued by the Hong Kong Post on March 20th, 2013, Hong Kong Post does not allow air transportation of devices containing lithium batteries or individual lithium batteries. Moreover, all the shipments are passed through an x-ray to detect any such electronic materials or devices.
http://www.hongkongpost.hk/eng/publications/notices/2013/20130320a/index.htm
http://www.hongkongpost.hk/eng/publications/notices/2013/20131025a/index.htm
Royal Mail Post Policy for Shipping Batteries
Royal Mail Post does not allow sending bulk batteries when sent in a separate package.
Lithium Ion Batteries
- For lithium-ion batteries connected in or to electronic devices, the rating for lithium-ion cells and lithium ion batteries must not exceed 20 Wh and 100 Wh, respectively. A package must not contain more than four cells or two batteries installed within a piece of equipment. The maximum gross weight for a package is 5kg and the package should have proper packing to prevent accidental activation or movement of a device.
- For lithium-ion batteries not connected but sent with an electronic device, a package must contain no more than two spare batteries in addition to the total batteries required for activation of the device. The gross weight of the package must not exceed 5kg and the lithium-ion cells and lithium-ion batteries must not exceed a rating of 20Wh and 100Wh, respectively. The package must have a lithium-ion battery handling label.
Lithium Metal Batteries
- For lithium metal batteries connected to or contained in an electronic device, a package must not exceed two batteries or four cells in a single piece of equipment. The lithium content must not exceed 1g per cell and 2g for a lithium metal battery. The maximum gross weight of packages must not exceed 5kg in weight. A lithium metal battery label must be applied to the package along with the details of the sender of the package.
- For lithium metal batteries not connected but sent with the electronic device, a package must not contain more than two spare batteries in addition to the batteries required for activation of the electronic device. The lithium metal content must not exceed 1g per cell and 2g per battery. The maximum allowed gross weight of the package is 5kg with a proper lithium battery label and mandatory shipment documents.
http://www.royalmail.com/business/help-and-support/tell-me-about-restricted-goods
While these rules seem to becoming more strict, it’s advised that you take the following precautions if you wish to import batteries into the USA from foreign countries:
- Have your supplier ship batteries separately with a different shipment. If the parcel gets seized, you will reduce your risk of having your entire order tied up.
- Order from the USA. The cost might be a little bit more, but the risk of the shipment being seized will be greatly reduced.
- If you’re ordering brand name batteries, ensure your supplier is sending OEM items.
- If you decide to risk it, ship smaller individual shipments rather than one large order.
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