USPS Bans Overseas Shipments of Electronics with Lithium Batteries

As of May 16, online retailers who use the U.S. Postal Service will no longer be allowed to ship electronics that include lithium batteries to international destinations and/or military (APO, FPO, DPO) addresses.

Important Note:  This prohibition DOES NOT apply to electronics with lithium batteries mailed inside the United States or its territories.

Lithium batteries are included in many popular electronic devices such as iPads, Kindles, smartphones, cameras and other electronic devices.  The batteries can explode or catch fire in certain conditions during overseas transport.

This change is required by the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), both of which currently prohibit lithium batteries in mail shipments that are carried on international commercial air transportation.

USPS management anticipates the regulation to be adjusted by January 1, 2013, with customers being able to mail specific quantities of lithium batteries internationally (including APO/FPO/DPO) if the batteries are properly installed in the electronic device.

Get more info on the USPS Lithium Battery Ban at the USPS Postal Explorer information page.