Batteries... just so ya know
May 19th 2012, 5:17 am
#1
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Batteries... just so ya know
I have mailed a few things in the past that would have been affected so I thought I would pass on the info I just read on Ebay,
http://announcements.ebay.com/
http://announcements.ebay.com/
International sellers: USPS announcement regarding international shipments of items with lithium-ion batteries
According to a recent press release, the USPS®, in response to guidance from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), will no longer ship devices that include lithium-ion batteries to international destinations starting on May 16, 2012. This includes mail shipments to APO/FPO/DPO destinations. Shipments within the USA are not affected.
Items containing lithium cells or batteries include: Video cameras, walkie-talkies, GPS devices, radio controlled toys, cameras, scanners, cellular phones/Smart phones, MP3 players, Bluetooth headsets, laptops, electric shavers, power drills, tablets/iPads, portable DVD players.
To ship your items to international destinations with the batteries included, consider shipping with carriers like FedEx® and UPS®. Your other option is to remove the battery from the device and ship via USPS.
According to a recent press release, the USPS®, in response to guidance from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), will no longer ship devices that include lithium-ion batteries to international destinations starting on May 16, 2012. This includes mail shipments to APO/FPO/DPO destinations. Shipments within the USA are not affected.
Items containing lithium cells or batteries include: Video cameras, walkie-talkies, GPS devices, radio controlled toys, cameras, scanners, cellular phones/Smart phones, MP3 players, Bluetooth headsets, laptops, electric shavers, power drills, tablets/iPads, portable DVD players.
To ship your items to international destinations with the batteries included, consider shipping with carriers like FedEx® and UPS®. Your other option is to remove the battery from the device and ship via USPS.
Last edited by Ash UK/US; May 19th 2012 at 5:20 am.
May 19th 2012, 11:50 am
#2
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
Do they see batteries as a security risk then? I wonder if this could spread to airline luggage eventually? Hopefully not.
May 19th 2012, 4:26 pm
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May 19th 2012, 4:43 pm
#4
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
I suspect it has to do with the disposal of lithium-ion batteries. I suspect some countries have very strict regulations concerning tracking and disposal of those batteries and it would likely be impossible prosecute independent ebay sellers for not following local regulations.
May 19th 2012, 4:48 pm
#5
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
Thanks, USPS! Like I needed any other reason to use FedEx/UPS :-) "We can't be bothered to deal with the new guidelines, but our profitable friends are!"
May 19th 2012, 4:57 pm
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
That can't be it! What? the batteries are only dangerous on USPS international flights, not domestic flights, and not Fedex flights? And not in your pocket in the cabin? I don't get it.
May 19th 2012, 5:32 pm
#7
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
The USPS Union will not expose its members to horrific damaged caused by batteries on a daily basis across the United States. They have taken a brave stand against the most dangerous household item in the world.
May 19th 2012, 6:23 pm
#8
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
Here's an article about a cargo flight where a fire was caused by a battery-related fire:
http://gigaom.com/cleantech/lithium-...for-jet-crash/
May 19th 2012, 6:24 pm
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May 19th 2012, 6:52 pm
#10
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
Fedex and UPS have their own international cargo planes, the USPS does not, so I suspect this relates to the safety risk of carrying li-ion batteries in the holds of passenger flights. Presumably different rules apply to what can be carried on a passenger as opposed to cargo plane.
Here's an article about a cargo flight where a fire was caused by a battery-related fire:
http://gigaom.com/cleantech/lithium-...for-jet-crash/
Here's an article about a cargo flight where a fire was caused by a battery-related fire:
http://gigaom.com/cleantech/lithium-...for-jet-crash/
May 19th 2012, 10:03 pm
#11
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
My suspicion: somebody leaned on them and fed them that line to suppress the free flow of goods between different consumer markets. Can't have people using cheap mobiles from abroad, or mail electronic goodies bought here to Europe.
May 20th 2012, 12:34 am
#12
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
Normally the small quantity of Li in items such as watch batteries means that they are ignored unless you are shipping in bulk. At which time they have to be shipped in special packaging.
Li battery fires are very dangerous as you have to use special graphite fire extinguisher to fight them, since water can make the lithium explode. Also if a Li battery the size of a C cell battery is crushed it can explode with the power of a hand grenade.
May 21st 2012, 2:34 pm
#13
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
Seriously though, thanks for the info (and link fatbrit). I vaguely recalled some laptop battery issues a few years ago, but hadn't realized they could be so dangerous in the wrong situations.
May 22nd 2012, 5:12 pm
#14
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html
"Effective January 1, 2008, you may not pack spare lithium batteries in your checked baggage."
May 22nd 2012, 5:17 pm
#15
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Re: Batteries... just so ya know
As other have said, LI-ON batteries are a real threat:-
http://gigaom.com/cleantech/lithium-...for-jet-crash/
http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/fulltext/HZB0501.htm
I was involved with the contractor who developed the FEDEX fire suppression system:-
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/s...5/daily16.html
http://gigaom.com/cleantech/lithium-...for-jet-crash/
http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/fulltext/HZB0501.htm
I was involved with the contractor who developed the FEDEX fire suppression system:-
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/s...5/daily16.html
Last edited by TimFountain; May 22nd 2012 at 6:43 pm.