I’m less inclined to buy from a small merchant with a garage gig, be it from China or US or Canada. A merchant’s bread and butter is sales and any manner of such is prioritized. So legal or not, circumnavigating the rules that ensure the safety of the populace over the desires of the individual is against my integrity.
I don’t buy batteries (or chemicals) from China or any uncredited outfit.
I like protected cells for headlamps.
How will you be able to offer “competitive” prices and have a supplier assemble the BMS on cells, maybe add custom wrapping?
Do you really think you can sell cheaper than the big players who buy at larger discount?
And you as a small buyer, will suffer even more from supply shortage and exploding prices, because you are not on any priority list, other than big players who due the high volume flow can deduct a few cents each sale and can offer “incentives” for being on the list.
Even shipping cost are unsustainable for a small company. While big players pay less than 1$ for shipping, because they create a constant “base load”, you pay 10$, set aside packaging material.
The only thing you could make money on is handling and logistics by streamlining the procedures, but do you really want to enslave yourself for a few cents an hour?
@flashburn, he can still create a small business account with Canada Post, which will give him cheaper rates.
If his SMB gets large enough, he gets access to higher discount tiers.
I’ll have to do some more research on shipping. I wrongly assumed for ground mail it wouldn’t be a problem. Thanks for letting me know.
I understand what your saying about buying from merchants, but I wont circumnavigating the rules. I assume you mean shipping them illegally, which is a huge liability (and safety risk to everyone). I wont be doing that.
Its definitely not an easy business. Margins are slim and there isn’t a huge number of customers. With the current inflated prices I’m looking to sell protected Sanyo NCR18650GA’s for $9. From what I’ve seen thats cheaper than any other vendor currently in stock, but let me know if you see cheaper.
Yup, a small discount but you need to spend $7500 on shipping yearly to reach the top tier. That will never happen
@waterlights, I would sell both protected and unprotected NCR18650GAs, and perhaps even some 21700s.
Heck, you could even sell button top accessories so you get some easy margins on the side.
Also @waterlights, I think you can also try something more… experimental if you get enough sales:
how about you become an official Canadian reseller for BatteryHookup?
I’d be concerned about being sued and other liability considerations. If you can it’s always best if you can separate your personal finances from your business ones.
Thats what I’ve come to realize. I thought flat tops were a niche market for pack builders, didnt know a lot of people like using them in lights too. Selling accessories is a good idea, 18650 chargers are hard to find, heat shrink wrap, etc.
Never heard of them before. Could be possible but I cant get ahead of myself yet 
I really don’t own any li-ion series lights, so I’m never in the market for protected cells.
Chris
Canada Post is probably a bust to the US. I tried calling them and got a useless agent who insisted it was allowed. When he finally realized it said “Not accepted” he just nope you cant do it. Tried asking if any of the shipping service options allow it or if there are any exceptions, to no avail. Canada Post is the absolute worst courier of all time. For a little more money ($16) I will use UPS. Delivery is faster and guaranteed, unlike Canada Post.
And you haven’t dealt with Canadian Border Services Agency regarding importing Lithium Cells in bulk. My experience isn’t too good with added costs due to special handling. They also frown on such imports from China. However, the Chinese logistics company can and should look into all costs prior to exporting. The broker has the mandate to uphold the CBSA requirements and duties. If they skip this prior then the goods may be refused to be shipped. Naturally, I’m looking at air freight. By boat, it’s most probably easier and longer.
As for the legality, you are responsible for any damage to people or property. The onus is on the merchant as the primary source of said items. Then it becomes of you to prosecute the maker if they cut on quality control and some component fails to protect – best of luck to sue some foreign manufacturer or distributor.
A fellow around my parts had a good liaison with a Chinese supplier for lithiums. The first shipment went without a hitch (about 50). Things took an expensive proposition after. He abandoned the business. Same with my preferred electronic store. They got a first batch of 30Qs but couldn’t get a second one. But then they (the store) didn’t give the details and some border tariffs/handling is of my conjecture. This as I had ordered from 18650BatteryStore some 50 Sony VTC6 but had to pay out hidden costs thru the broker.
I’m assuming your supplier is Chinese. If you found a cross-border American supplier, then hat’s off and go for it.
5 years ago few commercial flashlights were available with included batteries and thus there was a market for flashlight manufacturer branded and 3rd party protected batteries. With most consumer orientated lights now coming with batteries included, internal USB charging, and a range of proprietary designs there is only a small market for 3rd party Li-ion batteries.
Cant say I’m surprised about the CBSA. They misidentified building material freight I imported couple years ago worth $3000. They claimed the freight was already assembled not raw materials (it was not). Payed $250 duties on something that was duty free in the trade agreement. Refused to give me my money back and was pretty much impossible to fight. Thankfully for me my batteries are delivered duty payed.
I personally do not care for or use protected.
I don't personally buy many protected batteries, but I would definitely be interested in a good Canadian option for batteries and accessories.
There is no possibility you can compete with the larger companies. So let me ask you, are you planning on buying flatops from somewhere , adding the protection circuit, packaging, then shipping it for free, all for $10 per battery?
Absolutely more profitable to get a minimum wage job than to get involved doing that nonsense for a couple dollars.
Then be faced with a guy in Jack Ass Arkansas that wants a return because you claimed 3000mah and he is only getting 2950mah.
Sorry, bad idea.
Even worse is being sued by someone for millions claiming that your defective battery caused him permanent injury while he was vaping. Just defending yourself could easily run into the 6 figure range. Liability insurance, assuming you can get it, would be pretty expensive I’d imagine.
Perhaps the laws are different in Canada and not as wacko as in the US?
Not trying to defend OP, but I’m assuming he has them fitted abroad (the PCB) and he is a reseller. There is a liability if one does go “whoosh”. With proper representation, he could transfer the burden of responsibility to the maker. He is under no contractual engagement as a representative of said manufacturer. Nevertheless, the courts wouldn’t probably pursue the matter as Lithium Ions are known for their volatility and I would presume the user is aware of the hazards (a disclaimer). It isn’t as though the cell is part of a device that he is making and commercializing.
But what do I know of liabilities, other than the one time I was sued for damages of a faulty faucet. I had to pay for an expert on the matter to qualm the court of any wrongdoing in the installation. Much antagonizing. I was exonerated and then I had to counter sue for my costs incurred. Again, more problems.
I did mention that before committing to selling Lithium cells, OP should look into the legal aspects if things do go bad.
I believe he had a brainstorm of commercializing protected cells as there could be a niche. Using the forum to weigh the demand. To compete with the US merchants is folly. They have their sources and costs aren’t that bad. The shipping from our neighbours is somewhat prohibitive on the purchase of a couple of cells. With 5 or more, easier to swallow: 18650BatteryStore – 16.50 USD.
if he is reading these lines, It should be noted that all aspects of commercialization should be weighed prior to engagement. It’s not on a tribune you make such a proposition. Any member may or may not favour such endeavour, but it boils down to casual talk. Ideas are tossed in the arena and cautions are emphasized. He will have some decision-making on his own…
I wont be installing the protection circuit, thats done by the supplier. Pricewise, I can compete with large companies price but it really depends how much demand there is. Also since 18650canada.com is no longer legit there’s a Canadian demand. Starting off, a reasonable number would be 50 batteries a month (flat and button). It’s such a niche market I’m not sure I could sell that many. With those numbers, this obviously isn’t a full time paying job lol.
Attaching a battery sheet could help. Same goes for a disclaimer about the dangers of lithium batteries (need to look into this more). Still a nuisance, but that’s probably true for any business.
Yes, thank you. I definitely need to look into this more.
Pretty much hit the nail on the head. Compete is definitely impossible, what I meant is come near in price (especially in the Canadian market). No point having a new shop if the product is twice the price. Like I said to zoulas, If I could sell 50 batteries per month that’d be about the minimum. As I look more into it, the demand might not be sufficient. Not sure