Shipping Items Containing Lithium-Ion Batteries
 

Hi,
Just a heads up really if you're planning your shipment and have any items containing Lithium-Ion batteries.
The inclusion of these batteries in household goods shipments has become a big topic of conversation recently as shipping lines review risk/safety and so it's important you are discussing this with your mover.

Here's the latest information from the British Association of Removers:

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Lithium-Ion batteries

The acceptance of ‘Li-ION’ batteries in household and personal effects shipments is a complicated subject. There is a widely reported increased fire risk associated with these batteries. Shipping Lines themselves are so far, inconsistent in standardising their rules for their inclusion or exclusion from a consignment. Typically, we experience that Shipping Lines will decide on a shipment-by-shipment basis whether Li-ION batteries can be included. This extends to all and any items which may require such power units, examples include but not limited to cordless power tools, laptops, e-scooters, e-bikes and similar.

BAR recommends that Li-ION batteries are NOT shipped. If you do include them, the cargo will be declared (legal requirement) as ‘Hazardous Cargo’. If accepted by the Shipping Line, hazardous cargo will incur a substantial freight surcharge, driving up your cost of shipping. The rules for hazardous cargo declarations is fastidious; it will also impact the time is takes to secure a confirmed container space booking on a ship.

Non-declaration of Li-ION batteries (or other hazardous goods), whether by intent or in error, is treated by the Shipping Line as a misdeclaration. This is a serious offence under maritime law and would lead to a substantial fine (payable by the customer) (currently circa 30,000 US Dollars); in addition, the Shipping Line could confiscate and dispose of the consignment.
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As I said, if you have any items containing Lithium-Ion batteries please flag these to your preferred/prospective mover and make sure you understand how you should approach this. In most cases it may be worth removing (if possible) and replacing at destination.

Hope this is useful!