5 replies to this topic

[HDVdiver]

I just came across this issue at the M4/3 GH2 Hack forum...

http://personal-view...078/big-warning

http://about.usps.co...ml/updt_004.htm

This issue has been a pain in the a*** here in Australia for over a year now. Anything sent internally or overseas by airmail has to be signed off to legally declare that no dangerous items are in the parcel. ANY and ALL Lithium batteries are officially considered as not allowed for airmail. I recently bought a couple of Bladefish scooters for the kids from a shop in another state of Australia...and had to wait for 10 days for delivery by surface "snail-mail" because they contained lithium batteries.

I and my friends buy gear from the USA because prices tend to be a lot cheaper than here...and our customs/import duty is very generous with such personal imports.

So my question is...what do you think will be the implications of the new postal rules for shipping items with Lithium batteries to overseas destinations by USPS? No doubt some couriers will (as they do here) take advantage of this to have premium shipping rates for such items, but the extreme cost of this usually removes the cost advantage of buying goods in the USA instead of Australia. Will items with such batteries have to go by ship instead of air...as is now the case in Australia?

Edited by HDVdiver, 11 May 2012 - 10:41 PM.

[sideshow_Gary]

maybe its better to ask for forgiveness not permission..

I just came across this issue at the M4/3 GH2 Hack forum...

http://personal-view...078/big-warning

http://about.usps.co...ml/updt_004.htm

This issue has been a pain in the a*** here in Australia for over a year now. Anything sent internally or overseas by airmail has to be signed off to legally declare that no dangerous items are in the parcel. ANY and ALL Lithium batteries are officially considered as not allowed for airmail. I recently bought a couple of Bladefish scooters for the kids from a shop in another state of Australia...and had to wait for 10 days for delivery by surface "snail-mail" because they contained lithium batteries.

I and my friends buy gear from the USA because prices tend to be a lot cheaper than here...and our customs/import duty is very generous with such personal imports.

So my question is...what do you think will be the implications of the new postal rules for shipping items with Lithium batteries to overseas destinations by USPS? No doubt some couriers will (as they do here) take advantage of this to have premium shipping rates for such items, but the extreme cost of this usually removes the cost advantage of buying goods in the USA instead of Australia. Will items with such batteries have to go by ship instead of air...as is now the case in Australia?

[Steve Douglas]

I don't get it. How will manufactures in any country be able to ship their lithium batteries to other countries if it is prohibited. Is this the end of Duracell?
Steve

[echeng]

They will ship by private carrier. Prepare for price hikes!

[bvanant]

I don't get it. How will manufactures in any country be able to ship their lithium batteries to other countries if it is prohibited. Is this the end of Duracell?
Steve

I am quite sure that Duracell doesn't ship 3 trillion batteries per year via the Post Office. As I understand this new ruling it will only be for a short time and is intended to get the US in concordance with every where else. In any case, UPS/FEDEX/DHL will get a bit more business and USPS a bit less but probably not enough for anyone to notice.
Bill

[randyj]

I am quite sure that Duracell doesn't ship 3 trillion batteries per year via the Post Office. As I understand this new ruling it will only be for a short time and is intended to get the US in concordance with every where else. In any case, UPS/FEDEX/DHL will get a bit more business and USPS a bit less but probably not enough for anyone to notice.
Bill

Fedex also has restrictions on the shipment of lithium batteries dependent on type i.e. computer bios, power source like strobes, etc. It is best to contact your local fedex depot for appropriate forms and restrictions.