Gadgets
USPS To Curtail Shipments Of Lithium Batteries
Continues To Allow Mailing Domestically
By Gary Krakow
The U.S. Post Office is banning overseas shipments of lithium batteries beginning next week.
As of May 16, you will not be allowed to mail any packages containing a lithium battery – including rechargeable types found in almost all of our favorite modern-day electronics including cell phones, laptops, tablets and portable music playing devices to an overseas address.
The ban will include shipments to AFO, FPO and DFO addresses.
Officials say the reason for the change has to do with the time it takes for overseas packages to be delivered. Sometimes international parcels are delayed for days (or weeks) until they clear local customs and before they can be delivered to the proper recipient.
There have been a number of recent fires/explosions concerning cargo planes that some experts believe may have been caused by shipments of lithium battery products.
This ban may not last all that long, though. A group of international regulatory agencies are currently working on new battery mailing standards which will go into effect on January 1, 2013.