Warning to all using RMSD

Lyonspride said:
This ^^

A lot of us use the cheap aftermarket batteries, can any off us prove our batteries have passed these tests? The "fakes" are often marked identical to OEM.
I'd also like to know what they'll do, will they search everyones bags for untested lithium batteries?
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Only a problem if your putting them in the hold ( and how many of us trust our cameras in there)

Because of the risks associated with the carriage of spare batteries these may not be transported within passenger checked baggage. Spare batteries must be in carry-on baggage.
These requirements are stipulated by subparagraph 2.3.5.9 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations:
2.3.5.9 Portable Electronic Devices containing Batteries
2.3.5.9.1Portable electronic devices (such as watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top computers, camcorders, etc.) containing batteries when carried by passengers or crew for personal use, which should be carried in carry-on baggage. Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch, and carried in carry-on baggage only.
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People are looking for problems that just arn't there :thinking:
 
Tigger.ufo said:
So if it is in the camera it is not a problem then?...
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Correct...well, if you can follow their guidelines. The following is taken from a RM leaflet (link):

Not allowed
Batteries, specifically new and used lithium batteries when not sent with or connected to an electronic device​

Allowed
Electronic devices connected to lithium batteries (including mobile phones, digital cameras, etc) where the battery is connected to the device.

Packaging guidelines: Each parcel must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in a device. For lithium ion/polymer batteries the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery. For lithium metal/alloy batteries the lithium content must not be more than 1g per cell or 2g per battery. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per parcel. Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3. Cells or batteries that are defective or damaged are forbidden. The equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. Must be presented at the counter. Sender’s name and address must be visible on the parcel.​

NB There are more provisions for other types of battery.
 
that could be the reason my LiPo battery is taking an age to arrive, as it is coming from china.

:)
 
Just send them anyway. How many of the millions of batteries sent so far have blown up while being driven around within UK and how many packages get opened by Royal Mail to check what is in them (none?)
 
ernesto said:
Just send them anyway. How many of the millions of batteries sent so far have blown up while being driven around within UK and how many packages get opened by Royal Mail to check what is in them (none?)
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I sent 4 Canon BP11 batteries taped down on a card complete with their keepers in place in a s/h jiffy bag without the senders address on, they were intercepted and I received this warning from them, they must have peeled off the address label to find ours underneath!
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let that be a warning to you

next time wrap your batteries in bubble wrap so it isn't obvious what they are :lol:
 
acetone said:
Why does the thread pick out royal mail when everyone else has to comply too.
As I read it the Royal Mail lady was "arsey" for applying the new rules the OP did not know about/understand.

DHL. http://www.dhl.co.uk/en/express/shipping/shipping_advice/lithium_batteries.html

UPS http://www.ups.com/content/gb/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/batteries.html
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As I read it the RM employee didn't understand the rules: they're often refusing to handle stuff that is within the guidelines. I recently bought a replacement battery and had to pay for a courier because RM have told 7dayshop they won't ship LIon batteries even though they could have shipped it as it was in it's full original packaging.
 
big soft moose said:
let that be a warning to you

next time wrap your batteries in bubble wrap so it isn't obvious what they are :lol:
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I very much doubt they were obviously batteries to anyone the way I packed them with the addition of bubble wrap!
 
Galaxy66 said:
I very much doubt they were obviously batteries to anyone the way I packed them with the addition of bubble wrap!
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Next time get an old portable radio or similar, open it, place the batteries inside close it up and post it. Batteries accompanying a battery powered item are still considered safe IIRC.

From their guidelines
Prohibited
Batteries, specifically new and used lithium batteries when not sent with or connected to an electronic device
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;)
 
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One of our customers returned a faulty battery to is via Royal Mail.
Nobody at the post office asked the customer what was in the package and the customer had no idea she wasn't allowed to send a battery in the post.

Royal Mail intercepted it and kindly destroyed her £70 laptop battery.

She's now taking the post office to small claims court.
 
Begs the question do they do a spot check xray of packages ??
 
so how do 7 day shop etc send camera batteries out now ?
 
They've changed their rules on several things recently. The other week I ordered some anti-newton spray (an aerosol), I was contacted by the shop I ordered it from saying they couldn't use Royal Mail as they now refused to carry aerosol sprays. I wrote a slightly arsy tweet to Royal Mail who eventually said they'd had to amend their rules as the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) had changed what can and can't be carried as general cargo on aircraft. That's fair enough but it's a massive pain in the backside!
 
gadgeteer said:
Can someone explain to me why is a battery sent on it's own potentially dangerous but inside a device, it's safe?
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I presume the rules were written by someone who doesn't know the difference between a Li-ion battery and a Lion bar.

Quite often sweeping rules trying to regulate an entire industry end up making little sense.
 
Dave1 said:
I presume the rules were written by someone who doesn't know the difference between a Li-ion battery and a Lion bar.
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Are you suggesting that, to be safe, we should only send Lion bars through the post when installed inside an electronic device? I can't see how that would work...
 
gadgeteer said:
Can someone explain to me why is a battery sent on it's own potentially dangerous but inside a device, it's safe?
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Presumably, a loose battery could come into contact with other metal objects and the resulting short circuit would be dangerous (it's a guess)
 
StewartR said:
Are you suggesting that, to be safe, we should only send Lion bars through the post when installed inside an electronic device? I can't see how that would work...
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Don't give the silly sods any more daft ideas :lol:
And they wonder why they are loosing trade....Errr let me think, rubbish service, silly rules and high prices....need I say more.
 
My suggestion is if you check the regs and what teh counter staff have told is incorrect complain via email.

This is what I did when teh main post office in my town refused to accept a Knife I had made saying it was illegal. They were of course incorrect and the email I got back said they were being briefed on the rules.

Its the same with this they dont understand thier own rules :gag: which frustrates thier customers:bang:.

They need to read thier own rules :rules:
 
alfbranch said:
My suggestion is if you check the regs and what teh counter staff have told is incorrect complain via email.

This is what I did when teh main post office in my town refused to accept a Knife I had made saying it was illegal. They were of course incorrect and the email I got back said they were being briefed on the rules.

Its the same with this they dont understand thier own rules :gag: which frustrates thier customers:bang:.

They need to read thier own rules :rules:
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I suggest lying.

I send around 30,000 items a year through the royal mail alone, and have to my knowledge never had a item opened by the Royal Mail.
 
Dave1 said:
I presume the rules were written by someone who doesn't know the difference between a Li-ion battery and a Lion bar.
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Gold.



I think we need to look into what defines a "device", could that be a way to get around it? as currently I'm stuck with collect+ at £3.79 minimum for 1 battery.
 
Magnus said:
Gold.


I think we need to look into what defines a "device", could that be a way to get around it? as currently I'm stuck with collect+ at £3.79 minimum for 1 battery.
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I plan on visiting a boot sale and finding any old battery powered radio to accompany the batteries, Royal Mail say:

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. Please see www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods.
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is a memory stick an electronic device ;)
 
It seems the Royal Mail are now routinely opening packages to check if there are batteries inside.

I'd be interested if anybody could provide a link to the law that allows them to do that (it may exist RM are a funny bunch - but usually interfering with mail is actually pretty serious).

See my point above about the wisdom of lying to staff. If it really is an IATA rule (and it looks like it is) it wouldn't be a massive stretch to apply anti terrorism laws to people who knowingly lie at the PO. And that stops being funny really quickly.
 
Reading through the RM restrictions on their website it doesn't really seem to be a problem with shipping normal goods so long as batteries are correctly packed and there are no more than a spare set. Any contacts must be covered and protected etc. as is common sense.

The problem seems to lie with the RM staff, not their rules.
 
Prohibited
Batteries, specifically new and used lithium batteries when not sent with or connected to an electronic device

So if I had included an "electronic device" in the same package as my 4 lithium batteries that would then have rendered them safe to post and in their words not "Disposed of" I wonder if that meant mine will end up in an auction to further boost their profits!!!

What utter bolloxing nonsense !!!
 
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Next time I send batteries to anyone I will include an electronic device free, a Nikon 32mb CF card and that will stop them catching fire !! :shake::cuckoo:
 
Surely a battery is as electronic a device as something gets!
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Surely a battery is as electronic a device as something gets!
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It is when there is something actually electronic in it as opposed to electric.

I have had no problem sending things with Li-on batteries since the new INTERNATIONAL rules came in.

Had a new Galaxy S4 delivered yesterday and the package was marked as containing said battery. No issue.

The advice given above is to contact RM and explain where the PO Staff are not interpreting the rules as per their own guidance sheet.

The rules apply to all courier/post companies.

S
 
Looks to me as though the Royal Mail has brought in these restrictions so that they can use air transport as part of their distribution system without having to distinguish between items. Hence the fact that they quote from ICAO Instructions and refer to IATA guidance.

Using air transport is probably the only way they can meet their guaranteed delivery times for RMSD...and the rest of their service has to follow suit.
 
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