All batteries are considered hazardous when shipped; it is important to be aware of what you can send and what you can’t. This simple guide will point you in the right direction so you can send your items with piece of mind.

• If you are sending day-to-day batteries such as AA or AAA, be sure to remove them from the electrical item they are used for.
• If they are unopened, simply leave them in their original packaging.
• Make sure you wrap the batteries in separate packaging and wrap them well. Using bubble wrap is great as it offers fantastic protection from any bumps or knocks.

If you are sending your batteries abroad, then you will usually have to include a Material Safety Data Sheet with your parcel. An MSDS simply requires you to list any dangerous items that your package contains and how to dispose of and handle them should any issues arise. This information can be provided by the manufacturer of your batteries, so contact them and ask them to provide you with the information that you require. Often the company will have an easy to access PDF with all the information that you require on their website.

Many products today are powered by lithium-ion batteries, these are one of the most common batteries available as they are lightweight, have more space than their contemporaries and can easily be recharged.

Lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable and if they are exposed to high temperatures they are prone to overheating and this can potentially lead to an explosion. For this reason, lithium-ion batteries are considered dangerous goods. Many couriers have these batteries on their restricted lists.

• There must be no more than 2 lithium-ion batteries in any parcel.
• To send Lithium-ion batteries they must remain inside the electrical equipment (such as a laptop) that they are used for.
• The device that the batteries are shipped in must be turned off. You must also ensure that there is no way that the device can be switched on by accident during transit. This can be achieved by taking extra time to protect the switches of your item.

If you ship lithium-ion batteries, then you must abide by the above rules. The sending of batteries is monitored by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), for a more comprehensive guide, read their regulations.

Before you send any batteries or items containing batteries, give our customer service team a ring and we can give you all the information that you need.