Posting lipo batteries.

[ashutchy]

Hi all. Can anyone tell me in plain English the rules and restrictions on posting lipo batteries within the UK please? I';ve been on the Royal Mail website and best I could make out there was prohibited unless installed in a device. 

[Biffa]

Indeed, you cannot post them.

Unless you tell the person behind the counter that it';s something else


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. Please see www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods.

[shaun]

My reading of those regs says you can post them, just not on their own, they have to be contained in or connected to a device.  And their are limitations on the quantity, no of cells, total capacity, the way they need to be packed and the information that you need to provide to the recipient about safe and proper usage.

[miniconverter]

I';ve ordered from Hobby King UK and they just come in box with warning label on. They usually come by Parcel Farce so they must take them so just send them with them.

Personally I would just post them and if asked at the post office should tell them they are a high capacity storage unit for electrons as I bet that';s not on there restricted list, but doubt they will ask.

Post loads of stuff during my normal work most days and have only been asked once and she didn';t have a clue what it was so just took it.

[guest325]

All my lipos come from HK vis Parcel force, as far as I know they are the only people who handle them.

[cosmorogers]

but doubt they will ask.

I';ve had to post somethings with royal mail recently and both times the first question from the people behind the desk has been does this contain a lithium battery.

[ashutchy]

Thanks for all your comments guys, much appreciated. I';m sure I';ll come up with something!

[guest325]

I';ve had to post somethings with royal mail recently and both times the first question from the people behind the desk has been does this contain a lithium battery.

Ditto, when I sold my Crius AIOP on here that was the first question asked!

[flybywire]

They just hold up a printed card with all kinds of stuff, like guns, explosives, radioactive material, bombs, batteries etc etc.  "any of these?"

I whistle, look up to the ceiling and say "deffo not me old China". In me best cockney.

[miniconverter]

Ditto, when I sold my Crius AIOP on here that was the first question asked!

I must just have a trusting face.

[Balders]

Having real problems getting hold of lipos now. Hobbyking won';t post to me in Jersey from the uk now.

[Biffa]

Having real problems getting hold of lipos now. Hobbyking won';t post to me in Jersey from the uk now.

Get them sent to a UK friend and have them posted on

[SkyMonster]

We use out standard carrier for within the uk mainland and TNT for the rest of Europe. As long as the relitive documentation it attached its not a problem. Only downside is TNT arnt cheep, an internationally shipped lipo can cost £30 to ship.

[ashutchy]

Only downside is TNT arnt cheep, an internationally shipped lipo can cost £30 to ship.

Good grief! Surely that kind of price would break the sale for you? I understand the limitations on these things as they can be volatile to say the least but £30?

[Hands0n]

This is silly, where is it going to end?  If all postal services refuse to carry LiPo then that particular battery industry will be dead in the water - at least in the UK.   And I have to say that the risks of a LiPo in equipment vs on its own are probably higher with the former, where a technical fault can cause a LiPo to overheat.  They tend not to do so spontaneously, all by themselves, disconnected.  An external short circuit is more probable than an internal one to trigger a catastrophe.

Surely, it cannot be beyond the wit of man to design a safety mailing bag for these things.  We do, for example, ship ordnance and other purpose-built explosive and incendiary material around.

[quadfather]

What are the chances of batteries blowing up on their own vs batteries blowing up whilst connected to something?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[guest325]

The only times I';ve known lipos to go up in smoke is when they are either being discharged or charged too rapidly or when they';ve got damaged - never spontaneously.