May not be the ideal forum for this, but I'm thinking about buying a laptop from the USA. Anyone know if they will reject it due to the no batteries on planes thing? If so, what can I do instead?
Shipping Laptop - Batteries on Planes
[Deactivated] on 06/02/2015 - 17:25
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You cannot ship batteries with many airliners because they technically can set themselves on fire. Cargo aircrafts usually don't have that many crew members around and if there is fire, it's likely that they cannot contain it (so I've heard). I think they don't care if you are looking after it in person though.
Oh wow, ok I learnt something new today! I've never had the problem when I fly with my laptop so I assumed it was alright
I've heard that some companies do allow shipping the battery overseas; I've seen some goods from Amazon that contains batteries, like wireless vacuum cleaner and tablets being available for shipping to Australia. I assume that you'd probably have to contact the ship forwarders, if you are going to use their service though.
I've had a laptop shipped from USA just fine, but that was about 5 years ago.
Maybe its only standalone batteries?
It's happened in the last couple of years. I placed an order with www.dx.com - and it contained a few button cells. Someone rejected the order and dx emailed me telling me so, and said they would find another way to send it.
Not sure about Laptops and Batteries on planes.
But I know they have pretty firm policies with Snakes on Planes.If Auspost is anything to go by, lithium batteries are not allowed via airmail. Alkaline batteries are OK but must be removed from the device. I think seamail might be OK for sending things with batteries.
editted to add: I recently flew with Emirates and all batteries had to be in hand luggage not in checked in luggage.
I bought a laptop from USA last year around May. Went through a freight forwarder. Didn't have any issues at all.
It's up to the merchant to worry about selecting a company that will ship lithium batteries. There would be different procedures for passenger vs cargo aircraft. You can read more about it here and see what restrictions would apply depending on how the battery is being transported — either as checked luggage, or as cargo.
http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Aircraft_Fire_Risk_from_B…Lithium batteries are considered a dangerous good by air transportation so they have to be declared, packaged properly as well as being stored properly (to prevent a battery from being exposed to heat, crushing damage, and because a cell which is undergoing thermal runaway can also start off a chain reaction by igniting cells stored nearby, they can't be all packed into one box). The fire supression systems (based on Halon 1301) are also not effective against burning lithiums.
The problem is, it's ebay. And I don't know how long ebay has been doing this, but they now require sellers SHIP stuff through them too - as if they didn't already have enough money!
From what I understand, the seller just ships it to a USA address - ebay then sends it here!? A laptop costs about $40-$60 to send here I think.
No they don't…. Where did you get this crazy idea?
Sorry - what's your "no" to? That sellers are required to ship through ebay (if so, sorry - many sellers certainly give that impression); or sellers send to a USA address; ebay sends it here; or the shipping costs $40-$60? ;-)
no..sellers are not required to 'ship through' ebay.. but they can take advantage of their simplified 'global shipping program' which allows sellers to have a single postage destination (essentially a freight forwarder working for ebay).. whether that is cheaper for the seller/customer would depend on the item i guess..
I was just reading the ebay site. It says some prohibited items are: "Batteries (with exception of those that come included with consumer electronics such as AA, C, Li-ion batteries)". That is about as clear as mud. There's no way to contact ebay - they never give an email address, and none of the categories you have to click through apply to this situation. Yet every laptop for sale on ebay with international shipping seems to use their "Global Shipping Program".
And just found this:
"Lithium ion batteries are allowed, but with some limits. Passengers may carry consumer-sized lithium ion batteries with no more than 8 grams of equivalent lithium content or 100 watt-hours (wh) of power per battery]. This size covers AA, AAA, 9-volt, cell phone, PDA, camera, handheld game, standard laptop computer batteries, or a camcorder battery. Passengers can also bring up to two larger lithium ion batteries that each contain between 8 and 25 grams of equivalent lithium content per battery in their carry-on luggage. This size covers larger extended-life laptop batteries."
So confusing. I also looked up two Australian airlines. One accepts batteries in cargo, as long as the terminals are taped over, etc. The other accepts no batteries.
And ebay states batteries are prohibited items, but allows international shipping on laptops and phones.
How we're supposed to know if we're actually going to receive an item, is beyond me.
Scrimshaw: What I meant by the problem is… is some sellers on ebay USA don't even know their items will ship internationally - or what happens when they do. One guy selling a laptop said international buyers would have to pay any extra fees - but the auction clearly shows the ebay Global Shipping Program price HAS no extra fees. Therefore, sellers just package as if they're sending to a USA address - which they are - directly to ebay. So unless ebay unpackages and repackages, there's no way to know if the battery is packed correctly, or if you'll receive your item. It's a gamble!
Grrr… I hate ebay. They really have systematicaly flushed the company down the preverbial toilet over the years.
If it's eBay USA, I'd say they are probably using USPS. I read the eBay terms and conditions of the global shipping program.
Click here
http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/shipping-globally.htmlThen read
The item must not be ineligible, illegal, hazardous, subject to export restrictions, prohibited by eBay,
On the above page, scroll down until you see this line:
Hazardous, restricted, or regulated materials – examples include batteries, fireworks, and refrigerants
Click on the link.
Then expand the subcategory "Other Hazardous Materials" in this below link
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/hazardous-materials.html…You are then directed to read the USPS website.
If you read section 622 'Mailable Hazardous Materials' and then search for Lithium batteries…
http://pe.usps.com/widgets/hyperlinking/highlighted-viewserv…And then read this section
622.52 Secondary Lithium-ion (Rechargeable) Cells and Batteries
Small consumer-type lithium-ion cells and batteries like those used to power cell phones and laptop computers are mailable in a single shipment with the following restrictions:
The batteries must be installed in the equipment being shipped. Each shipment may contain a maximum of four lithium-ion cells or two lithium-ion batteries. The lithium content must not exceed 20 Watt-hour rating (Wh) per cell. The total aggregate lithium content must not exceed 100 Wh per battery. Each battery must bear the “Watt-hour�? or “Wh�? marking on the battery to determine if it is within the limits defined in items c and d. The batteries installed in the equipment must be protected from damage and short circuit. The equipment must be equipped with an effective means of preventing it from being turned on or activated. The equipment must be contained in a strong sealed package and cushioned to prevent movement or damage.Anyway, this is only conjecture on my part. I don't know if ebay is contracted with USPS to provide air mail delivery and is packed according to USPS requirements or if the seller themselves will determine how it's shipped (or worse, they may not pack it properly causing USPS to reject the package).
Yes, same "conclusion" i came to. I've asked someone in the USA to phone ebay and ask. So we'll see what comes of that.
Eh? You can't bring batteries on planes?! I don't think that's the case. I fly every year with my laptop in my backpack no problem. Not to mention everyone's cell phone…