USPS to allow lithium batteries in international parcels

The US Postal Service will begin accepting packages containing lithium batteries for delivery to international destinations from Thursday (15th November). The sending of lithium batteries through the international postal system had been banned, as they were classified as dangerous goods by the United Nations despite being common power sources for consumer electronics like computers and mobile phones.

This summer the UN-affiliated Universal Postal Union agreed new rules with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to begin allowing shipping of lithium batteries if they are “properly packed”.

In order to start shipping batteries internationally, Posts have had to train their staff according to the ICAO requirements.

The US Postal Service said on Friday that it was now ready to begin accepting packages containing lithium batteries installed within electronic devices bound for many international destinations, and to military and diplomatic personnel stationed overseas.

Giselle Valera, the USPS vice president of global business, said: “The Postal Service is pleased to be back in the business of shipping gifts containing lithium batteries internationally and to our service members overseas.

“Postal employees are gearing up for a busy holiday season, and we’re ready to help customers send care packages to loved ones around the world.”

Lithium batteries can be dangerous because if they are dropped, crushed or short-circuited they can generate heat and even ignite.

Following the crash of a UPS plane in Dubai in 2010, improperly packed lithium batteries were determined to be a possible cause.

USPS implemented its ban on the shipment of lithium batteries internationally back in May 2012, just days before the UPU and ICAO adopted their rule change to allow lithium battery shipping.

In the UK, Royal Mail said last week that it is currently implementing updated rules that should allow lithium batteries to be sent within outbound international parcels – again, when contained within an electronic device. Royal Mail’s new rules should come into force on 14th January, 2013.

• [Update: 19th November 2012] – USPS has clarified that while specific quantities of lithium batteries are now allowed to be mailed when installed in the equipment they are intended to operate, some countries may decide to prohibit the acceptance of mail shipments containing any lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries. Deutsche Post has notified USPS that it will not accept packages containing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries destined for addresses in Germany.