Help with courier to send quadcopter and lithium-polymer batteries

n30_mkii · 22 Dec 2016 at 20:51

I've purchased an item, but the seller is struggling with a courier to send the unit + batteries from Northern Ireland to England

I'm not very clued up on the subject, but will start reading up a little more. In the mean time does anyone know if the regs are less strict for polymer vs ion? if so what couriers will take them?

Thanks in advance

Rroff · 22 Dec 2016 at 20:55

I believe LiPo are more dangerous than regular Li-ion batteries and couriers that know the difference are even more reluctant to handle them. Unfortunately can't really advise as for some reason no one wants to touch shipping them to or from NI.

EDIT: Looks like Interlink (or DPD if they are a business) should do it if its within certain limits and/or seems a lot of people just send them via a TNT aggregates undeclared as TNT themselves will carry them but the 3rd party couriers won't - but that isn't something I'd recommend as that potentially leaves the sender liable legally.

Amp34 · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:05

I thought batteries were fine if they were sent with the device? Otherwise sending anything electronic (such as laptops, phones, cameras etc) would be basically impossible.

Eg: Royal Mail

Each package must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in equipment. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package. Watt-hour rating must not exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery. 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. Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested.
Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are forbidden. Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries with or in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit.
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. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Lithium ion/polymer batteries sent in isolation are prohibited. Please see www.royalmail.com/business/prohibitedgoods

https://business.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/898/~/restricted-goods---uk

So at the very least there shouldn't be an issue of sending at least one battery.

Rroff · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:07

Amp34 said:
I thought batteries were fine if they were sent with the device? Otherwise sending anything electronic (such as laptops, phones, cameras etc) would be basically impossible.

If they are "fitted" in the device yeah - though some power banks they get funny about - if its a bunch of spare LiPos though another matter.

Amp34 · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:11

Again from the RM site

The maximum number of batteries allowed in each package is the number that may be connected to the equipment plus two spares. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package. Watt-hour rating must not exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery. 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. Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested.

So that's three batteries RM are fine sending, unless they are particularly big!

Rroff · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:13

Is that to/from Northern Ireland though? a lot of couriers get a bit funny about that for some reason and won't touch them.

EDIT: Though with RM shouldn't really matter.

n30_mkii · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:14

There are six batteries with the unit which are around 70Wh each. So I guess they could send over the unit with three batteries only, but then no other way to send the rest! Which is annoying

Amp34 · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:17

https://business.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/898/~/restricted-goods---uk

http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/Royal-Mail-Prohibited-and-Restricted-Items.pdf

All UK Mail services - doesn't say anything about NI being a special case, and in fact much of it also applies internationally.

I doubt RM is that much different to the other couriers in that respect either. As I said, if they were then none of the couriers would send laptops, phones etc.

Edit: ah, a lot of batteries - that'll be a problem yep!

Brizzles · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:18

Shouldn't the seller thought about this before, how is it your problem ?

bobbyspangles · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:20

Received a quadcopter today with LiPo batteries via Royal Mail - no problems, though it did have a warning sticker on the outside.

If it were me and the post office were funny about taking it I'd go back in after 10 minutes with a fake moustache and tell them it's a box of clothing.

What they don't know very likely won't kill them.

n30_mkii · 22 Dec 2016 at 21:29

Just trying to help the guy out as he didn't realise about the restrictions. Looks like he will be good to send the unit with three, but I can't see a legitimate way to get the other three over

iamdjdz · 23 Dec 2016 at 07:09

I had a box of model rockets sent over once by courier, they're essentially pyrotechnics and were marked as such. Just had a look and it appears it was by TNT express road, not air.

This was when I lived in Northern Ireland by the way.

Lopéz · 23 Dec 2016 at 08:37

bobbyspangles said:
Received a quadcopter today with LiPo batteries via Royal Mail - no problems, though it did have a warning sticker on the outside.

If it were me and the post office were funny about taking it I'd go back in after 10 minutes with a fake moustache and tell them it's a box of clothing.

What they don't know very likely won't kill them.

Do you know how dangerous lithium batteries can be?

n30_mkii · 23 Dec 2016 at 08:58

Thanks for all the help guys, it's been really useful. I spent some time looking at different policies, and found most places are now shipping liPo batteries via a couple of specific courier services, which seem to be DPD and Interlink. If you look at the following URL;

http://sales.dpd.co.uk/content/lithiumbatteries/

If you then choose Lithium Battery > Packed with Equipment > Batteries less than 100Wh you get the following statement;

These batteries can be shipped.
There is a limit per package of 5kg (weight of battery).

Important Information

- For lithium ion batteries packed with equipment, and containing cells less than or equal to 20Wh or batteries less than or equal to 100Wh, the maximum weight of batteries is 5kg per package. (The total parcel weight can be more than this, but the batteries must not weigh more than 5kg.)
- Packaging must comply with UN3481 PI 966 Section II IMP:ELI. Details can be found here.
- This label must be displayed clearly on the parcel.

Interestingly the option is also available for batteries on their own, but up to a max of two at the above spec.

The downside is this is from NI so I'm not sure if the policy will still apply or not