This is probably not news to most. Last time I bought Li-Ion cells from a US vendor must have been end of 2017, and there were no such delays back then.
I ordered some 18650 cells from IMRbatteries last week. They’ve been sitting in “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” status for 2 days now. IMRbatteries has a page on this subject:
At one point in time, there used to be a big benefit of ordering cells from within the US - you’d get them much faster. I suppose that is not the case anymore. I’m sure I’ll still get them faster than from China, but not THAT much faster. Who knows how long they’re going to sit at the post office awaiting acceptance.
Pouch cells inside of laptops and other mobile devices are much more dangerous than cylindrical cells, have been in way more incidents regarding thermal runaway, and yet, get a free pass.
Actually this is not accurate. These regulations have actually been in place since 2012.
The shipment of Lithium and Lithium-ion batteries is covered in some detail in the DMM (Domestic Mailing Manual) part 10.20 According to DMM 10.20.5, small quantities of Primary Lithium Batteries may be shipped by Air if they are shipped with, or installed in Equipment. The package weight is limited to 11 lbs (5Kg), the package must be marked as containing Lithium Batteries. Only the batteries necessary to operate the equipment can be shipped installed or with the equipment. I.E. if it runs on a pair of CR123’s, than a pair of CR123’s all that you can ship.
If shipped without equipment, the package weight limit is 5 pounds, and it only be shipped by surface.
International shipment of Lithium Primary Battery is Prohibited, and the prohibition does cover APO/FPO and DPO addresses.
The Domestic shipment of Secondary Lithium Batteries (Lithium-Ion Cells) is covered in part 10.20.6. Secondary Lithium Batteries up to 20WHr capacity, and packs up to 100WHr capacity can be mailed if packed with or installed in equipment, but only in the quantity required to operate the equipment, i.e. if only 1 pack is needed to operate (such as a cell phone), only 1 can be in the package, and the package must be clearly labeled as containing Lithium Ion Batteries. This applies to Domestic, and most International Shipments.
If mailed without equipment, the limit is 3 cells, they must be declared on the exterior of the package, and may be shipped domestically by surface or air.
Shipment of more than 3 cells is prohibited by air and surface.
This is summarized in the table in 10.20.8
Requirement/restrictions for International Shipment are covered in the International Mailing Manual, part 135.61
I ordered six 30Q’s last week from Liionwholesale, and they arrived in 3 days. Just like they always have over the last few years. They were in 3 plastic boxes packaged in 1 bubble envelope, with a 3x3 lithium ion sticker on the outside of the bubble mailer.
edit… The cells were packaged in two cardboard boxes. One box contained 4 cells each in their own box, and the other cardboard box had 2 cells each in their own box. (boxes within a box). The 3 plastic cases were also included. All were in the bubble envelope.
Not sure what’s going on at IMR then. I ordered on Friday 6/1, and I still don’t have an estimated delivery date. Last USPS status says “Your shipment was received at 2:42 pm on June 4, 2018 in HOUSTON, TX 77201. The acceptance of your package is pending. ”
They might have shipped it regular mail instead of first class parcel. Usually a little cheaper to do it that way, but takes much longer. Can take sometimes 8 working days.
LiionWholesale was sold out of the cells that I wanted, or else I would have ordered from them as well.
With that said, I never had any such delays from IMRbatteries before. This is the first one. RobertB is most likely right - they shipped it via regular mail.
EDIT: I just went back to look at their shipping options: It does in fact state “USPS Economy (Retail Ground)” Yet their shipping fee for this ground service is higher than LiionWholesale’s shipping fee for first class service. Live and learn.
I ordered some cells from Liionwholesale on Tuesday evening and they were delivered here on the west coast today. Pretty speedy, and very reasonable shipping price. :+1:
