Batteries in the post...can anyone ship?

RM seem to have a big thing about batteries. Everytime I post anything at my local PO I am asked if the package contains batteries. There must be loads of things they will not carry, but don't ask about.
 
Collect +
They don't officially, but we send a lot through them and have customers return batteries to us via them.
They don't check and we've never had a problem with them.

they are pretty cheap too starting at £4.89 for 3-5 day delivery
 
All part of the minefield that is ADR and the 'Carriage of Dangerous Goods' legislation
 
I've been through all this in the past and it's a right royal PITA... I have a thread about it somewhere.

I had some batteries to get back to Nikon (another story). However, Nikon replaced them free of charge and I received them in the Post without hassle. Nikon even sent me an official, postage paid, 'returns' form and told me to take them to the PO. Quite how that works I don't know because that same PO gave me a right interrogation about a camera and spare battery I sold and posted RMSD.
 
It also depends on the type of battery. The Post Office website has a page devoted to the rules.


Steve.
 
I am sure everyone should comply with PO regulations. But I am equally sure many thousands of lithium batteries and other prohibited goods are shipped with them every week.
 
Problem is most of RM's mail goes by air and that's were the problem lies. If they scan your parcel and spot the battery then they will at the very least destroy it. Use a courier that doesnt use air such as hermes or as someone else said connect plus although £4.89 for 3-5 day delivery is a bit steep
 
I'm beting if you don't say it's batteries, and just send it bubble wrapped in a jiffy bag, it'll get there.
 
Hermes all the way for me nowadays, royal mail no thanks.
 
I suspect in time RM (and other carriers) will provide a convenient (yet expensive) hazardous materials shipping option...or perhaps I am being cynical. The list of hazardous items almost outnumbers the number of non-hazardous items.

There have probably been 2 fires caused by batteries in the past 5 years, considering the number of batteries shipped I am sure it is lost in the noise. There were probably more fires started by posties trying to have a sneak fag in the sorting office...
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
I am sure everyone should comply with PO regulations. But I am equally sure many thousands of lithium batteries and other prohibited goods are shipped with them every week.
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I'm equally sure you're right, no one actually checks what's in a package so if you lied how would anyone know ;)
 
Just post the bloody things in a Jiffy envelope, no one really cares.

I just sold one on here and posted to my mate via Royal Mail, he hasn't died of Radiation Poisoning, the Postman still has both hands and the Post Van has just passed its MOT
 
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Gremlin said:
I'm equally sure you're right, no one actually checks what's in a package so if you lied how would anyone know ;)
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It's hit and miss and depends if a parcel travels by air or not.
We've had a few customers that have returned batteries to us and have had them destroyed by RM.

We advise all of customers to use collect plus for returns but you still the odd few that ignore us and use RM anyway. Unfortunately the first you know about it is when you receive a letter from RM letting you know they have kindly destroyed it for you.
 
Gary Coyle said:
Just post the bloody things in a Jiffy envelope, no one really cares.

I just sold one on here and posted to my mate via Royal Mail, he hasn't died of Radiation Poisoning, the Postman still has both hands and the Post Van has just passed its MOT
Click to expand...

Somebody posted me one like that, came thought alright :)
 
I recently needed to return a couple of mobility scooter batteries to the vendor. They were brand new, in original packaging, and complied with every regulation going including safe for air travel.

The Post Office refused to take them as "they often use aeroplanes for internal post". I would be mildly surprised if they flew them twenty miles from Worcestershire to Gloucestershire! I ended up just driving them there myself and having a day out in the Cotswolds with my camera as my reward :-D
 
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