How to ship small electronics with less than 1g lithium batteries?

[sbdpquality]

Hi guys,

I am planning to start selling small electronics with less than 1g rechargeable batteries. I understand they need to be sent via USPS Ground Advantage. However, since these are new electronics, can I just ship it on bubble mail?

Not sure how to bake in the cost with the product, at the moment. Just wondering how everyone else is shipping small electronics with small batteries in original packaging.

I see that one of the community member also pointed out, original packaging will be fine, but can it be inside bubble mail/poly mail? I see poly mail meant for small button battery.
Thanks again

[gator08041971]

I sell items with lithium batteries all the time.

You need to use the hazardous option in the shipping.

You should have a UN3481 Battery label.  I bought a roll of them on Amazon to stick to packages.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B99NKY2J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I use this one, as I can then label which type of battery in the box.  3481 is for battery with electronics, 3480 is a battery by itself.  These codes can be looked up on Google and there are different ones for different types of Lithium batteries.

If you are worried about crush damage, maybe some decent cardboard cut to wrap around the item before going into the bubble wrap?  I would even recommend shrink wrap around that.

Example of a battery label:

I do this for anything I ship with lithium. And yes, they can only go Ground.  And they need the label to be marked as H for hazardous, and you can choose this option when you print the label at no extra cost:

[sbdpquality]

Thanks 🙏 really helpful. These items are in a box already, so was not sure if the entire packaging required a box as well.

[12345jamesstamps]

If envelope saids "bubble" on outside or looks like it...it is usually considered parcel.

I got hit with sending something smaller than a dime to Canada from USA (just a fitting stone for a ring)...because of the word "bubble" on the outside of envelope. Took a big hit in shipping. Too embarrassing to say how much it was.

[gator08041971 · Accepted solution]

To expand on my earlier reply, you can use a bubble mailer just fine.

What I do for smaller packages, is that I actually will tighten the bubble mailer to the internal "box" if it has one.  Here is an example:

That is how my HDDs are shipped.  Drive is bubble wrapped, then boxed, then shrink wrapped, then bubble mailer, then taped tight and shipped.  I don't let the box be "loose" inside the bubble mailer.

[sbdpquality]

Pirate Ship agent also forwarded this to me, and mentioned I don't need to mark it as hazardous if it is unopened manufacturer box

Rules for shipping electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries

Brand-new or certified new/refurbished electronics with unopened manufacturer’s packaging that contain lithium-ion batteries inside can be shipped via any USPS service. If this is the case for your shipment, do not select the "Hazardous Materials" checkbox when creating your label.

On the other hand, if you’re shipping a used, damaged, or defective electronic device with a lithium-ion battery (such as a phone, tablet, laptop, camera, power tool, etc.), you’ll need to follow these guidelines:

• Select the "Hazardous Materials" checkbox when creating your label.

• You may only use the Ground Advantage shipping service, as electronics with used or damaged lithium-ion batteries cannot be transported via air.

• If you’re shipping multiple items, separate the lithium-ion batteries or electronics containing lithium-ion batteries into a different package.

• Label the package with: “Restricted Electronic Device – Surface Transportation Only.”

Shipments containing pre-owned or damaged electronic devices that contain lithium-ion batteries are prohibited from being shipped internationally or to military addresses and certain parts of the United States where USPS doesn’t have ground transportation available.

[gator08041971]

Yeah, that sounds correct.  But here's the thing you need to keep in mind:

Unless you are an authorized retailer selling new lithium batteries, you still may want to label them, even if they aren't technically used.   Just an FYI.

The reason they have a distinction between new and used, is that used have a higher chance of having an issue because of their age, or so they think.  My thing is, a newer battery can be more dangerous as it may potentially have more available power.  So in my eyes, they are equally dangerous, but that's my view.  Used or new, if the battery is damaged due to a shipping accident, both can start a fire.  If its at all possible, ship the battery not connected or installed (except on products where it can't be uninstalled) and try not to ship a battery with more than 50% charge.

When I ship a tool with a lithium battery pack, (used or new) I even wrap the battery in shrink wrap to ensure its terminals won't come into contact with anything, and/or wrap it in something to protect it.

Mostly this is about covering your rear.  IF something were to happen and your item causes property damage, and all the rules aren't correctly followed, it can come back on you.

[gator08041971]

One final update that I noticed.  There is a label option 9 for new products with lithium, both with and without a lithium 3481 label.