I hope this does not spread.

[mcnair55]

Was just about to pull the trigger on another new light using the 123 battery.Batteries in a normal store here in the UK are expensive at approx £8 each.I get mine by mail order from the Channel Islands at a fraction of the UK price which includes free post then on the 14.1.13 this appeared:-

Sales of Lithium Batteries at ********.com have been temporarily stopped
As of Monday 14th January 2013, Royal Mail have prohibited Lithium batteries being sent through their postal network. We are currently working on alternative courier postal options for these items and will begin to sell and deliver these items in the UK* as soon as we can. This will, however, mean increased delivery costs for all Lithium batteries. Until the courier options are in place, all Lithium batteries have been removed from our website.
********.com remains committed to offering the best value in batteries. We're very sorry that legislation outside our control will lead to our customers having to pay more for the delivery of Lithium batteries. ********.com will still continue to supply Lithium batteries to our customers but we hope you will understand the reasons for the increased delivery charges.

 

[frosty]

Is this the 7dayshop? That's where I get mine.

 

[TinderBox (UK)]

I have bought a lot of lithium based battery's over the years all delivered by royal mail, this is going to cause me a lot of problems. :(

According to the photo in the link below tracked buisness mail is exempt only consumer mail is banned, is this any help to us.????

[h=2]Impact for marketplace sellers of batteries[/h] If you sell Lithium batteries you should already be shipping them on a business account via Royal Mail tracked. Come January you won’t be able to ship them via Royal Mail unless they are being shipped (domestically and Internationally) when already installed in a device, or when shipped with a device (domestic post only).
If you sell Lithium batteries, including those to fit everything from watches to laptops and even rechargeable drills and somewhat perversely smoke alarms, then these replacement batteries will have to be shipped with an alternative carrier and you should be shipping them as hazardous goods.
I do sympathise with battery sellers, what was once a very low cost highly competitive market will now face increased costs and doubtless some sellers will either be unaware of Royal Mail’s policy changes or simply ignore them leading to uncompetitive pricing by those that do comply. Already many battery sellers are breaking the rules by shipping in stamped mail rather than through a business account.
Whilst shipping with an alternative carrier is likely to cost more, failure to comply with the legal requirements for the transport of dangerous goods puts lives at risk and is a criminal offence which may be subject to prosecution. It’s unlikely a consumer will be prosecuted for breaking the rules, but if you are a business routinely selling Lithium batteries then your marketplace seller reputation suffering from lost shipments could be the least of your worries.

http://tamebay.com/2012/11/royal-mail-bans-postage-of-lithium-batteries.html

John

 

[eusty]

It seems that they are trying to stop cheap knock offs sold by individuals.

I've had a couple of (signed for) deliveries from UK shops so far this year with no issues. If you get them from a reputable source then there should be an issue?

Sent using Tapatalk 2.

 

[TinderBox (UK)]

Had a look at ebay, uk sellers of lin-ion battery eg 18650, no mention of this royal mail ban, royal mail says if it finds lin-ion battery it just destroys them?

John.

 

[Al_D]

Li-Ion shipments are being stopped all over the world.
I can no longer get direct-shipments from suppliers in PRC as air carriers are refusing.

 

[skeeterbait]

Hmmm, three months ago I ordered a Petzl headlamp and several spare lithium packs from GB because it was WAY less expensive than I could get the same in the States. I was a little concerned about the packs but the vendor told me no worries. The box was marked explicitly with lithium battery stickers and Royal Mail had no problems with it. Guess the recent airline battery fire has made everyone paranoid. Guess I won't be placing such an order again.

 

[mcnair55]

It is worth noting this came into effect just over a week ago 14.1.13

The company had 123 batteries on offer for just £0.99p each so i was going to order a supply to feed my new light.

I think now that is the end for me in terms of buying any 123 format lights,looks like AA format here on in.

 

[Yamabushi]

This issue has been developing for several years and there are numerous posts on this forum. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets guidelines for air transportation of all commodities. The guidelines for lithium-based batteries have changed over the years, the carriers have changed their rules accordingly, and this trickles down to the rules set by postal services.

 

[TinderBox (UK)]

So is this only an into the country customs ban, if i order a lin-ion battery and it does not go though customs will i get it, say i live in england, i should able to order from england, scaotland, wales as there is no customs inspection between them or will the local post sorting offices be checking for lin-ion battery in parcels as well. :(

John.

 

[Yamabushi]

So is this only an into the country customs ban, if i order a lin-ion battery and it does not go though customs will i get it, say i live in england, i should able to order from england, scaotland, wales as there is no customs inspection between them or will the local post sorting offices be checking for lin-ion battery in parcels as well. :(

John.

It's based on air transportation regulations, so it depends on how the mail is transported. Most but not all international mail is by air. In geographically large countries such as the USA, some domestic mail is by air.

Some postal services have decided that it is simpler to ban lithiums completely rather than sort which are going by air vs. surface transportation. On the other hand, most domestic mail has no declaration of contents, so it's almost impossible to enforce.

 

[mcnair55]

It's based on air transportation regulations, so it depends on how the mail is transported. Most but not all international mail is by air. In geographically large countries such as the USA, some domestic mail is by air.

Some postal services have decided that it is simpler to ban lithiums completely rather than sort which are going by air vs. surface transportation. On the other hand, most domestic mail has no declaration of contents, so it's almost impossible to enforce.

Over here we have custom dogs that can sniff out drugs-money-food stuffs,may as well waste a few more shekels getting a battery dog.:crackup:

 

[snakebite]

the with or installed in device is the workaround.
ship them with a junk throwaway device that will operate from the cells.a dummy device with some functionality.a paper tube with a toy grade led and a resistor.

 

[TinderBox (UK)]

I dont think it will be that simple to get around, i found the lithium battery guide on the royal mail website, it`s not easy to follow.

http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/Lithium-Battery-Guidance-171012_0_0.pdf

John.

 

[mcnair55]

I dont think it will be that simple to get around, i found the lithium battery guide on the royal mail website, it`s not easy to follow.

http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/Lithium-Battery-Guidance-171012_0_0.pdf

John.

I think I have found a way around it.Done some surfing about and looked at battery wholesalers that supply garages with batteries,seems many of them carry batteries for all sorts.One local to me is offering CR123 for £1.22 each,that will do it for me.

 

[Sammy_boy]

Impending UK ban on lithium batteries in the post

I was in the post office today and was asked if the package I was sending had any loose lithium batteries in. I enquirer further and there is already an international ban on transportation of loose lithiums. However I was also told there will be a domestic ban too from July on loose lithium batteries, ie even lithiums sent from within the UK now being prohibited!

Does this mean from July onwards I won't be able to buy batteries online from anywhere? Will the only way to obtain more flashlight batteries is to buy a cheap light for the batteries to be shipped in? Or would online sellers be shipping them on the sly or even lying to carriers what packages contain? And would I need to keep a cheap light to use as a 'shipping crate' if I ever sell any batteries? It could get expensive and tricky to get any cells round here from bricks and mortar stores as there aren't many that sell them round me!

 

[TinderBox (UK)]

Re: Impending UK ban on lithium batteries in the post

Hi there was a thread about this last week but the title was not the best.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?353916-I-hope-this-does-not-spread

John.

 

[Sammy_boy]

Impending UK ban on lithium batteries in the post

I missed that thread, sorry. From what I can gather then sellers may be able to ship lithium batteries in certain packaging with warning stickers on?

 

[TinderBox (UK)]

Re: Impending UK ban on lithium batteries in the post

Yeah, we really need to find a way around this ban, it`s about time we had a compeditor to royal mail for small packet delivery alternative postmen, the final mile as royal mail call it.

John.

 

[mcnair55]

Re: Impending UK ban on lithium batteries in the post

I am sorted,I did what i said on the other thread.I went to a battery wholesaler and bought a box of 10 cheaper than i was buying by mail,can also get my AA/AAA off them as well.

Happy days.