Australia Post bans Lithium Batteries! Read this if you receive/send electronic goods via AustPost.

moo on 31/07/2009 - 15:36
Last edited 31/07/2009 - 15:44

News Article

Australia Post bans lithium batteries

Australia Post will no longer be accepting packages that contain lithium batteries by air.

The batteries have been classified as dangerous, leading the International Civil Aviation Organisation to >enact more stringent controls. This follows on the exploding laptop batteries debacle of 2006, prompting a >recall, and further recalls in 2008 and 2009.

This is going to affect many online businesses dealing with electronic goods. How would someone send something overseas via 'road' to RMA if they can't utilise air mail?

Notice - Notice posted on Australian Post website.

General Discussion

Comments

  • moo on 31/07/2009 - 15:50

    If you are buying a laptop battery that is 6-cell, then you'd have to use a courier as Austpost wouldn't transport it for you. SO that means you'd pay more for the postage!

    • zhenjie on 03/08/2009 - 18:40
      +1

      Sometimes courier rates are far cheaper then Australia Post's rate especially within and between major cities.

  • scotty on 31/07/2009 - 17:40

    Wouldn't it more relevant to the merchants, whom will actually ship the laptop? I guess most would use courier anyway — which is not necessarily more expensive due to the volume.

    • moo on 31/07/2009 - 18:03

      Well, the site is used by both merchants and buyers alike (as well as personal sellers). Most tend to utilise Austpost parcel service, eg. CoTD. I tend to buy a few things online, and I rarely see any which uses couriers such as Toll Ipec, TNT, etc.

  • Davo1111 on 31/07/2009 - 18:34
    +2

    possibly the dumbest decision made by aus post ever.

    • Lawrence on 03/08/2009 - 10:15

      The decision was not made by Australia Post. It would seem they are responding to guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

      I'm sure they would be frowned upon for carrying something classified as a "Dangerous Good" by air.

  • jaxon on 04/08/2009 - 18:05
    +1

    does this mean that ALL laptops have to be sent out via 'road'? i.e. just dont sign the declaration at the bottom of parcels?

  • Crownie on 04/08/2009 - 19:01

    Huge implications for buying laptops from overseas.
    6-cell (and over) batteries will increase in price in OZ.
    Many poeople will be buying laptops from OS and asking sellers to remove the battery.
    I guess battery could be sent Sea Mail if you can wait 2 months for it.
    Can see huge problems arising from this.

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