After I lost my trust ordering from local battery sellers (LG HG2 that has only 2500mAh instead of 3000mAh), plus exorbitantly expensive prices, I decided that I'll look for and buy batteries from more reputable foreign sources (BG, GB, AliExpress). Unfortunately BG and GB do not ship to the Philippines, so that leaves AliExpress stores.
Since I'm quite new with lithium-ion batteries, I only order a few pcs at a time so I can test its capacity if it's real or not. The problem is that after I've tested the batteries are true-rated (and thus appears to be genuine), I'd like to reorder, but unfortunately that seller has stopped shipping to the Philippines (or in other cases, they only have $50 expedited shipping options).
Now, I still continue to actively search for battery deals in AliExpress, so I found a good deal with a pack of 4pcs Soshine 14500. Ordered it, the seller shipped via China Post (which does not support shipping of batteries to the Philippines). It's very strange because when AliExpress system indicated "packaged shipped via China Post", I immediately sent a message to the seller to tell them that China Post does not ship batteries to the Philippines. The seller insisted for me to wait.. and so I waited 2 months, the tracking only indicated "China, posting of item" -- which seems to mean the batteries probably were not allowed to be shipped. Opened dispute and was able to work out a solution with the seller.
Now, I searched for another seller in AliExpress for another 4pcs 14500 (the price is double of the above; but that seems to be acceptable now, rather than "cannot ship" or $50 shipping.) Now the AliExpress system indicates the package has been shipped out.... via Hong Kong Post -- I double checked HK Post website which specifically indicates lithium ion batteries are disallowed for shipping with them. So I sent a message to the seller to tell them about this issue.. and this is the reply:
Hi,Sir
Glad to hear from you. Yes HK POST doesnt allow shipping Lithium batteries. but we just have a try, it is 50% chance to be successfully delivered. dont worry, 7-10 later we can confirm if it is successfully passed. We will let you know then, and you can apply refund if it is detained.
Hmm.. let's see after 2 months...
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For now, the "correct" way of shipping batteries from China to the Philippines seems to be via Turkey Post or BPost (Belgium Post). Although I've not had Turkey Post for awhile now.. so that leaves only BPost. Problem with BPost is that it has very very few tracking updates, so sometimes I'm at a lost as to where the package is already. But 50-60 days is about average (considering the batteries have to travel from China [Asia] to Europe and then back to Southeast Asia).