Shipping Laptops with Lithium Batteries-Shipment and Care

If you want to ship laptops with lithium batteries, then you have to observe certain rules and regulations. Also, you also have to take care of these batteries to ensure that they are safe for transport. Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous items because they can easily catch fire or explode, especially if they are damaged or overheated.

This is why many shipping companies and governments have set up guidelines for shipping devices such as laptops with lithium batteries. Any time you visit courier services such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS, the clerks will ask you about the contents of your package. They always inquire about the contents so that they can analyze if you are carrying something that is potentially harmful.

Laptops are not an exception when it comes to lithium batteries' shipment and care. Most of us may be familiar with the potential lithium dangers, especially after the recalling of Samsung note seven phones. These phones had various manufacturing issues making them catch fire spontaneously.

Can you ship laptops with lithium batteries?

Yes, it’s possible to ship laptops with lithium batteries. However, there are certain rules and regulations that you are supposed to follow. These regulations can change depending on your government or the courier services that you choose to use.

Laptops and phones are the most popular items shipped with these kinds of batteries. You should ensure your laptop is firm during shipment because loose batteries are easily damaged.

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Shipping laptops with lithium batteries are allowed by all means of transport. However, shipping damaged or recalled laptop batteries is not allowed by air. This is a new requirement, according to IATA. When shipping a laptop, make sure that the battery is connected because unconnected lithium batteries are not allowed on a passenger plane.

Unconnected laptop batteries are supposed to be well packaged and inspected at the airport before they are allowed on a plane. Recalled lithium batteries do not meet specific requirements because they are fire hazards. So they cannot be transported back to the manufacturer by air.

Laptops that contain damaged batteries installed cannot be allowed on planes. The owners are supposed to ensure that the fixed battery is in good condition so that it does pose any explosive threats.

It is important to ship a laptop in a well-padded laptop box designed for shipping. These boxes can absorb high impacts hence protecting your laptop from damages. To ensure that your laptop is safe from fluids, then I recommend wrapping it with a plastic bag. This will protect your laptop from other packages in a plane that may spit liquids.

Laptops with lithium batteries can be shipped, but you have to follow all these regulations. Failure to do so might land you in trouble. Also, laptop batteries that are not installed on a laptop should be well packaged and shipped on an aircraft.

How can you ship laptops with lithium batteries?

You can ship laptops with lithium batteries by air or ground, but you have to meet some requirements. The first thing you need to do is to check the watt-hours on your laptop batteries. Sometimes the DUT accepts exceptions for batteries that have 100-watt hours or less.

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Also, some couriers may have exceptions for consumer electronics with up to 300 watt-hours. If your electronics surpass this mark, then you have to indicate by a label. Most consumer electronics, such as laptops and mobile phones, fall below 300-watt hours. After checking the watt-hours, the next step is packing your laptop. You should pack your laptop in a sturdy packaging wrapped in a plastic bag.

A sturdy packaging will protect your laptop from any damage during transportation. Note that the battery is supposed to be installed as you pack the laptop. Furthermore, you should make sure that it’s not damaged or harmed in any way. The laptop should also be turned off and should not pose any threats of short-circuiting. A plastic bag is important because it protects the laptops from liquids.

Liquids can damage both the laptop and the lithium batteries. The next step after packing the laptop is looking for the right labels. A new lithium battery mark was introduced in 2019 to be label all packages that contain lithium batteries. This is the mark that you are supposed to use as you ship your batteries. The label should also contain your mobile number and the UN3481 code.

What do you need to pay attention to while shipping laptops with lithium batteries?

You need to pay attention to the following requirements while shipping laptops with lithium batteries.  These requirements are important for protecting your laptop from getting damaged or exploding during shipping.

●Original packaging

It is important to use the original package for a laptop. This is because it is well designed to hold the laptop firmly and to prevent it from any external damage. Conversely, if you do not have the original packaging box, you can pack your laptop in a padded box.

●Use proper labels

After packing your laptop in a safe box, you should label it following the IATA standards, as we have mentioned above. That is, the label should include your telephone number, lithium battery sign, and UN 3481 code.

●Provide short circuit protection

Short-circuiting can cause your laptop to catch fire or even explode during shipping. You can also wrap your laptop with a plastic bag to prevent it from getting damaged by liquids.

●Do not ship recalled lithium laptop batteries by air

Recalled lithium laptop batteries are not allowed on planes. This is because they are very dangerous and can cause accidents.

●Obey the regulations

Regulations for shipping laptops with lithium batteries may vary depending on the courier services or the country. For example, in the US, a personal laptop package should contain one battery and also a short note on the outside. It is important to contact your shipper to check on the regulations that you may be missing out on.

Conclusion

Shipping laptops with lithium batteries is easy as long as you follow all the requirements. Failure to follow those requirements may lead to the seizure of your laptops. You can go the extra mile to double-check the requirements from your shipper. Lastly, you should follow the necessary steps to make sure that your laptop arrives at the destination safely.