Mailing Lithium ion Batteries-USPS and Methods

The USPS will allow you to send lithium ion batteries domestically via ground and air. However, you cannot send them internationally or use First Class/Priority Mail international services.

There are 3 ways to send lithium ion batteries domestically via USPS:

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1. Remove the battery from the device and insulate the terminals by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in individual plastic bags or protective pouches.

2. The device containing the battery may be mailed if the device is packaged so that it cannot be accidentally activated. For instance, if a toy contains a lithium battery and has an on/off switch then tape over the switch. If there is no on/off switch then place the entire toy in a plastic bag or other protective packaging to prevent accidental activation during transit.

3. If you are sending multiple small lithium ion batteries (i.e., button cell) packaged together (up to 12), they must be placed in a protective pouch, plastic bag, or package so that they cannot short circuit during shipping.

Posting lithium ion batteries is a risky business. However, it can be done safely if you follow the correct procedures. We need to make sure that we do not allow the battery terminals to come into contact with metal objects and that the battery does not become crushed or punctured during delivery.

The easiest way of ensuring this is to pack them in such a way that the terminals cannot touch anything and that they are protected from crushing and puncturing. For example, you could place them in a plastic bag and then wrap them in bubble wrap before placing them in an insulated Jiffy Bag before posting them.

If you are sending more than 4 cells/batteries, then you need to fill out a USPS lithium ion battery shipping form available from your local post office. You must also place a label on the outside of the packaging stating how many batteries you are sending and whether or not they contain a device.

For example:

4 x 18650 Li-ion batteries

No Device

It's a good idea to buy lithium ion batteries from a reputable source. If you do, you should be able to trust that they won't overheat or rupture. Still, it costs you nothing to double check:

If you're using an older battery, you'll want to test it with a voltmeter before you put it in anything. Your meter should show between 4.1 and 3.7 volts for a healthy battery. Any lower, and your battery is probably damaged or depleted. If you see less than 3 volts, the battery may be damaged internally and could burst when charged.

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If you're mailing the batteries back to the manufacturer (or anyone else), they need to go by ground transportation in compliance with DOT regulations. The USPS (United States Postal Service) will ship lithium ion batteries domestically with some restrictions. They can also be sent internationally via USPS so long as they're installed in the device they came out of (or are packaged appropriately).

Shipping lithium batteries Internationally

Shipping lithium ion batteries internationally is not prohibited by the USPS, however, there are restrictions and regulations that you must follow to do so legally.

The first thing you will need to determine is whether or not your battery is classified as a non-hazardous or hazardous material. You can find the classification of your battery in its technical specifications or from the manufacturer.

If your battery falls under the "non-hazardous" category then it can be shipped by ground and air transportation. If your battery falls under the "hazardous" category then it can only be shipped via ground transportation as it is prohibited on any air transport (including planes).

You cannot ship any type of lithium ion battery via UPS. UPS has specific guidelines for shipping any type of lithium ion battery which include:

The package must be labeled with a diamond shaped "hazardous material label"

The label must include a description of the contents (e.g., lithium ion battery)

The package must be accompanied with a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods form. This form tells the USPS what kind of dangerous goods are contained in your package and provides detailed information about how to handle them when shipping them out.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is one of the most popular ways to ship lithium ion batteries internationally. USPS has its own regulations for shipping lithium ion batteries internationally and domestically. In this post, we’ll provide a quick guide on shipping lithium ion batteries with USPS.

Shipping lithium ion batteries internationally with USPS is only allowed if the following conditions are met:

The batteries must be contained within the device they operate

The devices powered by these batteries must be small enough to fit into a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope or box

Batteries are not permitted in any other international mail classes, including First-Class Package International Service and Priority Mail Express International.

How do you mail something with a lithium battery?

Lithium ion batteries are the most commonly used battery technology today. You probably use a lithium ion battery every day, whether it's in your phone, laptop, or tablet. If you're building something with a Lithium source, you might have to mail them as raw cells or in your product.

If you're shipping something with a lithium battery, the safest option is to use a full-service carrier such as FedEx, UPS or DHL. These carriers are the only ones that can legally transport lithium batteries internationally.

If you're mailing something domestically and need to use USPS, you only have two options: take the lithium battery out of the device before shipping it, or mail it with the battery inside the device.

Lithium batteries are also banned in USPS international mail services and First-Class Mail International shipments. This means that if you're trying to mail a battery internationally using USPS, you'll have to ship it as a parcel or package with Priority Mail International service.

Conclusion

To summarize, you are allowed to mail your laptop battery via USPS. But you will need to place the battery in a proper package and send it as hazardous material. The package needs to be clearly marked with the words "lithium ion batteries."