According to a recent press release, the USPS®, in response to guidance from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), will no longer ship devices that include lithium-ion batteries to international destinations starting on May 16, 2012. This includes mail shipments to APO/FPO/DPO destinations. Shipments within the USA are not affected.
Items containing lithium cells or batteriesinclude: Video cameras, walkie-talkies, GPS devices, radio controlled toys, cameras, scanners, cellular phones/Smart phones, MP3 players, Bluetooth headsets, laptops, electric shavers, power drills, tablets/iPads, portable DVD players.
To ship your items to international destinations with the batteries included, consider shipping with carriers like FedEx® and UPS®. Your other option is to remove the battery from the device and ship via USPS. If you ship without the battery, be sure to update your listing details to clearly specify that international buyers will receive the item without the lithium-ion battery. Getmore information. Follow these tips and tools to edit your current listings in bulk.
IMM Revision: Outbound International Mailings of Lithium Batteries and Other Dangerous Goods
Effective May 16, 2012, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) part 136 to codify that primary lithium metal or lithium alloy (nonrechargeable) cells and batteries or secondary lithium-ion cells and batteries (rechargeable) are prohibited when mailed internationally or to and from an APO, FPO, or DPO location.
International standards have recently been the subject of discussion by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), and the Postal Service anticipates that on January 1, 2013, customers will be able to mail specific quantities of lithium batteries internationally (including to and from an APO, FPO, or DPO location) when the batteries are properly installed in the personal electronic devices they are intended to operate.
Until such time that a less restrictive policy can be implemented consistent with international standards, and in accordance with UPU Convention, lithium batteries are not permitted in international mail. The UPU Convention and regulations are consistent with the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Technical Instructions). The Technical Instructions concerning the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Post do not permit in international mail “dangerous goods” as defined by the ICAO Technical Instructions. Currently, the only exceptions to this general prohibition relate to certain medical materials, infectious substances, and radioactive materials that are treated in accordance with additional requirements listed in the Technical Instructions. Lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries and lithium-ion cells are listed in the Technical Instructions as Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods. The prohibition on mailing lithium batteries and cells internationally also applies to mail sent by commercial air transportation to and from an APO, FPO, or DPO location.
I imagine (do not know), that since it says “safe transport”, that batteries packaged in those devices must be considered safe, but then what is unsafe? Loose batteries just thrown in a package?
