Shipping Li-ion batteries from me to you?

deleted-200707 · 2019-08-30T01:52:51.000Z

I made a trade which included me to ship the other party a Li-ion battery.

It doesn’t pay to be honest. I handed the well prepared package to the clerk at the post office. He asked if anything perishable, noxious, dangerous? I said no then he asked if any batteries? Like a stupe I said yes. Li ion? Yes. He then said I had to label it as hazardous materials. You have one I can put on it? Nope, you have to get one online!!!

They are available from retailers for rolls of 500.

I hate to admit my guilt online…butt the next attempt went smoother as I claimed hard-of-hearing (not a stretch without my hearing aids) and the clerk advised me which buttons to push…no hazard shite.

Lightbringer · 2019-08-30T03:25:18.000Z

“Huh? Lithium? Whut’s that? Naw, batteries, you know?, the kind you stick in your flashlight…”

amishbill · 2019-09-04T18:44:35.000Z

google up a lithium label, print one you like, and tape it to the package.

BlueSwordM · 2019-09-04T19:21:56.000Z

Just make sure to discharge down to 3,6V.

chops728 · 2019-09-04T22:04:52.000Z

I read if they’re installed in the device it doesn’t matter —- I have enough lion label from received boxes I reuse them

contactcr · 2019-09-04T22:23:21.000Z

I claimed hard-of-hearing (not a stretch without my hearing aids) and the clerk advised me which buttons to push…no hazard shite.

My USPS location has a self serve kiosk. It’s a little daunting at first but after one use i’ll never talk to the clerk ever again and I frequently mail things before and after their normal hours (not by choice but it is nice to not be rushed or listen to angry people)

You can look up a YouTube video on them before you try it if your location has them.

Barkuti · 2019-09-05T01:21:05.000Z

- Li-ion? Nah! Just a disabled pipe bomb. Now place the seal, I'm hurry. ;-)

xenotar80 · 2019-09-05T02:47:15.000Z

It’s not too bad once you wade through all the material. There are basically 3 categories, of lithium ion packages for DOMESTIC shipping. Inside equipment, packed with equipment, and without equipment. Lithium ion packed without equipment, it can’t be transported by air. It also seems like there are certain Wh, number of batteries, and weight restrictions too (see the link below, near the bottom of webpage)

Basically you just need to google either UN3481 or UN3480 (see below) to comply, print it out, and slap it on the box. It’ll have a photo of batteries and flame with UN3481/3480 clearly marked.

Anyone, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_032.htm

*Lithium-ion batteries properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate:
*Except for mailpieces containing button cell batteries installed in equipment (including circuit boards), or no more than 4 lithium metal cells or 2 lithium-ion batteries installed in the equipment they operate, mailpieces containing lithium-ion batteries must bear a DOT-approved lithium battery mark, as specified in 49 CFR 173.185©(i) and Exhibit 325.2a, applied to the address side of the mailpiece.
The mark must indicate UN3481 for lithium-ion cells or batteries installed in equipment.
The mark must also include a telephone number for those who need to obtain additional information.

*Lithium-ion batteries packed with the equipment they are intended to operate:
*Mailpieces must bear a DOT-approved lithium battery mark, as specified in 49 CFR 173.185©(i) and Exhibit 325.2a, applied to the address side of the mailpiece.
The mark must indicate UN3481 for lithium-ion cells or batteries packed with equipment.
Where a package contains lithium cells or batteries assigned to different UN numbers, all applicable UN numbers must be indicated.
The mark must also include a telephone number for those who need to obtain additional information.

*Lithium-ion batteries not packed with or installed in equipment (individual batteries):
*Mailpieces must bear a DOT-approved lithium battery mark, as specified in 49 CFR 173.185©(i) and Exhibit 325.2a, applied to the address side of the mailpiece.
The mark must indicate UN3480 for lithium-ion cells or batteries.
The mark must also include a telephone number for those who need to obtain additional information.
Mailpieces must also include the text “Surface Mail Only, Secondary Lithium Batteries — Forbidden for Transportation Aboard Passenger Aircraft” or “Surface Mail Only, Lithium-ion Batteries — Forbidden for Transportation Aboard Passenger Aircraft.”

DavidEF · 2019-09-05T02:42:48.000Z

Thanks for sharing that info xenotar80. I have shipped Li-Ion batteries before and was always told by my local post office that they MUST be “installed in the equipment they are intended to operate.” I always wondered how companies were allowed to ship Li-Ions without an accompanying piece of equipment. Now I know!

deleted-200707 · 2019-09-05T02:57:25.000Z

Like I said….Huh?

xenotar80 · 2019-09-05T03:23:12.000Z

chinooker:

Like I said….Huh?

hahhaa ok ok. i’ll make it simpler, gonna leave out all the caveats.

is your lithium ion inside the equipment it operates or packed with the equipment it operates? google UN3481, print out the label, slap on box.

is your lithium ion by itself without the equipment it operates?
google UN3480, print out the label, slap on box.

that wasn’t so bad lol

lightdecay · 2019-09-05T03:33:28.000Z

So, to ship a smartphone and comply with regulations, you must put a UN3481 on the package? Hmm…

xenotar80 · 2019-09-05T03:37:58.000Z

lightdecay:

So, to ship a smartphone and comply with regulations, you must put a UN3481 on the package? Hmm…

that’s what i’m gathering… control+F cell phone:
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_027.htm

only applies to USPS

xenotar80 · 2019-09-05T03:39:39.000Z

DavidEF:

Thanks for sharing that info xenotar80. I have shipped Li-Ion batteries before and was always told by my local post office that they MUST be “installed in the equipment they are intended to operate.” I always wondered how companies were allowed to ship Li-Ions without an accompanying piece of equipment. Now I know! :+1:

haha you’re welcome. had to ship a fairly large battery with lighting equipment to canada and did some light reading.