Shipping a Lithium battery?

[FryDog62]

I was under the impression that you couldn't mail/ship a Lithium Battery... someone told me recently that it can be done since manufacturers routinely mail new batteries to customers.  I looked up USPS guidelines on mailing lithium batteries and they are as clear as mud.  Anyone know for sure, if it can be done, is it cost-prohibitive?  Thinking of shipping a 5 pound Dakota Lithium 18ah battery FWIW.  Thx

[MN Fisher]

It can be done - but you gotta jump through a lot of hoops. USPS is VERY restrictive - UPS and FedEx will take them, under certain conditions.

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/how-to-ship-batteries.html#3

https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-special-care-regulated-items/hazardous-materials-guide/how-to-ship-batteries.page

[FryDog62]

16 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

It can be done - but you gotta jump through a lot of hoops. USPS is VERY restrictive - UPS and FedEx will take them, under certain conditions.

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/how-to-ship-batteries.html#3

https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-special-care-regulated-items/hazardous-materials-guide/how-to-ship-batteries.page

Yeah it looks ugly but potentially do-able. The question is cost?? 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, FryDog62 said:

Yeah it looks ugly but potentially do-able. The question is cost?? 

No idea on that, Chris....but I'm willing to bet it's more than the replacement cost on the battery if it's not an expensive brand like Dakota or such.

[FryDog62]

8 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

No idea on that, Chris....but I'm willing to bet it's more than the replacement cost on the battery if it's not an expensive brand like Dakota or such.

You're probably right, pretty tough to sell a used lithium unless there is a buyer in the immediate area. 

[gim]

I agree, I would limit my sellers to local pickup/drop off only.  Doesn't seem worth the headache of shipping it.

[GaryH]

UPS will ship with no hassle. There’s a sticker that goes on the box they can print out for you. I shipped mine back to Ionic and they ship me it back with no issues.

[FryDog62]

13 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I agree, I would limit my sellers to local pickup/drop off only.  Doesn't seem worth the headache of shipping it.

I could probably sell it in a day in Minnesota.  With the saltwater focus down here in Florida, there really isn’t much of a market for small electronics batteries. It’s been on FB Marketplace down here for a week without a sniff. 

8 minutes ago, GaryH said:

UPS will ship with no hassle. There’s a sticker that goes on the box they can print out for you. I shipped mine back to Ionic and they ship me it back with no issues.

I may take the battery and charger to UPS and get a quote - thx 👍

[Junger]

If it's more than $40-50 to ship back, you may want to consider buying a cheapo Amazon one.

[FryDog62]

17 minutes ago, Junger said:

If it's more than $40-50 to ship back, you may want to consider buying a cheapo Amazon one.

I’ve actually got the battery for sale on FB Marketplace. But I’m in a saltwater dominated area and there isn’t much demand for small electronics and batteries.  So it’s just sitting for sale with no inquiries. Had thought about selling it on sites with national coverage, but the shipping is the hang up… 

[Siebert Outdoors]

It can be done but it will need the dangerous goods markings.