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I would like to ship out a digital camera by air through post office to Australia. I think I need to enquire post office at my side if it is allowed.

Meanwhile, I am in doubt if consumer electronic product with lithium battery inside can be shipped out by air from one countries (e.g. US, Australia, UK, Canada) to another. My website is about to sell such kind of products. A seperate lithium battery is not allowed to ship out by air in HK at this moment. But I am not sure if consumer electronic product with lithium battery inside would be impacted. Do anyone know about this and can share their experience?

Also, where can I check the import/ custom tax and regulation for this kind of product?

Thanks for your help!

Hello Natalie,

From what I read, there limitations set as well as requirements products with Li-ion batteries. For example Link hidden: Login to view does not ship internationally any products with Li-ion batteries inside.

Shippers like UPS will ship your product with Li-ion batteries provided you meet their guidelines.

Your courier or local post would be you best option in getting your questions answered since the regulations will vary from country to country as well as from one shipping company to the next.

All the best!

17 days later

Hi!

As I have read, lithium batteries can provide extremely high currents and can discharge very rapidly when short-circuited. Although this is useful in applications where high currents are required, a too-rapid discharge of a lithium battery can result in overheating of the battery, rupture, and even explosion. Lithium-thionyl chloride batteries are particularly susceptible to this type of discharge. Consumer batteries usually incorporate over current or thermal protection or vents in order to prevent explosion.

Because of the above risks, shipping and carriage of lithium batteries is restricted in some situations, particularly transport of lithium batteries by air.

Australia Post prohibited transport of lithium batteries in air mail during 2010.

UK regulations for the transport of lithium batteries were amended by the National Chemical Emergency Centre in 2009.

In late 2009, at least some postal administrations restricted airmail shipping (including EMS) of lithium batteries, lithium-ion batteries and products containing these (such as laptops and cell phones). Among these countries are Hong Kong, USA, and Japan.

Hope this helps!