Mailing Sold Camera Outfits: What About Lithium Batteries?
Jun 19, 2019 18:28:24 #
Beowulf
Loc: Aquidneck Island, RI
I may soon be offering for sale some Nikon DSLR outfits, but I am concerned about any USPS proscriptions about lithium-ion batteries. I believe that a battery can be shipped if installed in the camera, but what about extra batteries? Some time ago, after carefully packaging a camera outfit with two batteries that were each wrapped in bubble wrap, I was asked by the postal clerk if any lithium-ion batteries were in the package. When I said yes, I was told that the package would have to go via ground shipment. The package was going from Massachusetts to Arizona and took eight days to get there.
Having promised the purchaser that I would ship via Priority Mail initially, I had to contact him to tell him that it would be a week or so before it got to him.
What do others do? Any help will be welcome and appreciated.
Having promised the purchaser that I would ship via Priority Mail initially, I had to contact him to tell him that it would be a week or so before it got to him.
What do others do? Any help will be welcome and appreciated.
Jun 19, 2019 18:35:01 #
Beowulf wrote:
I may soon be offering for sale some Nikon DSLR ou... (show quote)
Never been asked. You could always ship the extra batteries seperately
Jun 19, 2019 18:59:45 #
Beowulf wrote:
I may soon be offering for sale some Nikon DSLR ou... (show quote)
LiOn batteries cannot be loose with contacts exposed. When I've sold cameras with extra batteries, I have the protective caps that were provided (I save everything).
Jun 19, 2019 19:00:50 #
Jun 19, 2019 20:41:16 #
I have received shipment of
many replacement L-ion via
various carriers. No big deal,
a non-issue.
many replacement L-ion via
various carriers. No big deal,
a non-issue.
Jun 19, 2019 21:28:09 #
Beowulf wrote:
I may soon be offering for sale some Nikon DSLR ou... (show quote)
The USPS restrictions are actually FAA restrictions regarding hazardous materials on commercial flights. Loose Lithium Ion batteries, even if well packaged and protected can not go into the cargo holds of airliners. Since the USPS ships a good deal via commercial carriers USPS can't accept such shipments. To keep things simple they may have decided to exclude all lithium ion batteries from air cargo, even if installed in a device, which can go as cargo.
Try UPS. Since they have a private air fleet they seem to have a bit more leeway. According to their website they merely require proper packaging and protection of the terminals for any batteries not actually installed in a device. I imagine FedEx is similar.
Edit: I see that quixdraw posted a link to the USPS regulations. It would seem that the agent you dealt with gave you bad info.
Jun 19, 2019 21:59:11 #
Jun 20, 2019 05:54:34 #
quixdraw wrote:
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_032.htm
Seems like you need a law degree to figure that out. LOL
Jun 20, 2019 06:12:08 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Beowulf wrote:
I may soon be offering for sale some Nikon DSLR ou... (show quote)
I ship out EBay all the time with no issues. I pack them in their original holders. Never an issue. Never send one in a camera. Always separate.
Jun 20, 2019 06:14:27 #
billnikon wrote:
I ship out EBay all the time with no issues. I pack them in their original holders. Never an issue. Never send one in a camera. Always separate.
but that's not what those regulations seem to say.
Jun 20, 2019 08:20:06 #
aphelps
Loc: Central Ohio
Beowulf wrote:
I may soon be offering for sale some Nikon DSLR ou... (show quote)
I order and receive lipo (lithium) batteries from China. They arrive in 10-15 days by air. The package is clearly labeled with a sticker identifying the contents. So I assume if the airline sees the label they will handle it appropriately for the trans-pacific flight. This may also be true for domestic carriers as lithium batteries are used in so many items.
Jun 20, 2019 08:30:58 #
aphelps
Loc: Central Ohio
Beowulf wrote:
I may soon be offering for sale some Nikon DSLR ou... (show quote)
Having read the USPS regulation regarding this, it would seem that camera batteries easily fall under the 100 wh exclusion and would be acceptable for air shipment. But then I am not a lawyer.
Jun 20, 2019 08:55:37 #
In the few times that the situation has arisen, I have shipped the extra batteries separately. In the meantime, the camera can be used with the installed battery, and that battery can be recharged. Just make this clear to the buyer when you list the equipment for sale.
Jun 20, 2019 09:09:05 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
LFingar wrote:
Agree. The UPS web site has very detailed info, including packing, allowable quantities and labeling Lithium battery shipments. As a starter, see: https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/media/en_US/pack_ship_batteries.pdf which includes the flowchart below.Try UPS. Since they have a private air fleet they seem to have a bit more leeway. According to their website they merely require proper packaging and protection of the terminals for any batteries not actually installed in a device.
Jun 20, 2019 09:13:50 #
I would consult the FFA and the Us postal service as only they will know what is allowed currently with respect to Lithium Batteries being shipped. There are some restrictions as to the level of residual charge in sending components of this category...(low or no charge ) and they will ask you to declare what the contents are when you physically mail them out from a postal location .....this I do know from previous experience but the rules may have gotten MORE STICKY.......do your research first.
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