Posting Batteries

WWA

WWA

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Hi,

I've got a Olympus camera battery to sell and post. It won't be included with a device just by itself in a Jiffy bag.. What's the rules around this? Can I send it normal Royal Mail?

Royal Mail website only seems to have rules for batteries included with other devices.

Thanks.
 
Thank you.

Is it actually dangerous to post batteries? Or just silly rules?
 
Oddly, it seems if the batteries are connected to a device they can be sent by post. The regs do not say the device has to be the one they're used in.

One work round would be to send the battery in, or with, a camera, then have the camera returned, as it is ok to send devices with batteries installed plus a limited number of spares, provided the spares are protected from sho rt circuiting and the package is labeled to indicate it contains batteries. RM site has the details.
 
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Thank you for the info. Yes the rules are very strange.
 
How do the likes of Amazon get round this then? Just thinking I've bought several batteries and had them posted on their own.
 
Interlink Express.

I had a big problem with Nikon's battery exchange program for EN-EL15s

Everyone said no except Interlink Express. Including Royal Mail/Post Office.

The major manufacturers have accounts with the well known carriers who accept new, sealed, boxed batteries.
Everyone else, except Interlink Express, refuse batteries that are used and live. DPD etc wanted £40 if you don't have a trade account!

Interlink Express were fine. Go to their website, do the deal, print the label etc.. About £6 from memory.
 
Same as selling my old phones. Battery within handset is fine. Don't think I've needed to send a battery alone.

Just remembered! I've ordered three iPhone batteries from eBay shops and they all turned just like any normal large letter service.
 
We usually advise customers to use Collect Plus when returning batteries to us. Never had any issues.

Is it dangerous? It can be if the batteries are faulty, damaged or short out.
The rules aren't put in place by the carrier but by the CAA.
 
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And WHEN the PO/RM discover the contents, the package will be destroyed. Like it or not, some LiIon/LiPo batteries have caused problems and since much (?most?) mail ends up travelling by air, the last thing the CAA wants is a fire in the hold of an aircraft in flight.
 
Amazon wont ship batteries to Ireland, I have tried to get spare LP-E6 batteries and ended up getting them shipped to Northern Ireland and then posted to the south. The same goes for certain websites, some will exclude certain countries to ship batteries to.
 
Think I`m right in that you can post a camera with a battery inside plus 2 spares in original / safe packing but not post 1 battery on its own in original/safe packing. Sense?
 
Odd really I've twice posted camera batteries on their own at my local Post Office, I explained they had the original plastic terminal covers, Postmistress affixed 'Battery Warning' label and off they went no problem at all ... I've received them as well! :)
 
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Thank you for all the info everyone. Some mixed info but I'm getting the impression some people wing it and some do it properly without hassle. Think I'll ask at the post office and see what they say..
 
WWA said:
Thank you for all the info everyone. Some mixed info but I'm getting the impression some people wing it and some do it properly without hassle. Think I'll ask at the post office and see what they say..
Click to expand...

You can read RM's prohibited and restricted items information on the internet without asking at the post office (my post office just point to the same rules on a poster).

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/mail/uk-what-can-i-send

The below is from the prohibited items information:

Lithium ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries when not sent with, or contained in/connected to an electronic device, are prohibited.

Lithium ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries are allowed when sent with or contained in/connected to an electronic device, but are subject to packaging, volume and quantity restrictions.

When you read these two sentences it seems clear to me, the only confusion can be if you send them with an electronic device that the batteries don't fit in. If you take the chance they may get through but if they don't they will be destroyed. When you see lithium-ion batteries explode its not surprising the CAA have these restrictions. Quite a lot of RM parcels can go by air even within the UK hence the restrictions.
 
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