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Australia Post bans lithium batteries

By Craig Simms on 30 July 2009

Topics: australia post, bans, lithium, batteries, battery, australia, post, road, air, ban

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  JAL commented on 16/08/2009 08:23 Report abuse

  The whole thing is blown out of proportion. The failure of a lithium-containing cell can be "catastrophic", that is sudden and violent, but the amount of damage it could cause is tiny particularly when the cell is contained inside an apparatus such as a camera. Nonetheless one can understand why Australia Post has limited their carriage.

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  Daniel commented on 03/08/2009 16:49 Report abuse

  This has been the case on all international couriers for quite some time.

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  You Really Should Read the Post commented on 03/08/2009 00:18 Report abuse

  Lithium is a dangerous substance and there have been instances of even mobile phone batteries exploding. In the baggage compartment/mail bag if one exploded there may be quite a fire, which could not be extinguihed.
  Secondly, the smoke/gase from a Lithium fire is poisonous: wikipedia: In the event of an lithium battery explosion it will quickly generate dense white smoke which can cause severe irritation to the respiratory tract, eyes and skin. All precautions must be taken to limit exposure to these fumes. Due to its alkaline tarnish, lithium metal is corrosive and requires special handling to avoid skin contact. Breathing lithium dust or lithium compounds (which are often alkaline) initially irritate the nose and throat, while higher exposure can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs, leading to pulmonary edema. The metal itself is a handling hazard because of the caustic hydroxide produced when it is in contact with moisture.
  
  Having worked in a place which had larger LI-on batteries (500gms), if one was dropped and the case cracked, the fire brigade had to be called and the batteiy isolated and place evacuated. They are not fun batteries, just the best available for power today.

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  brit_in_oz commented on 02/08/2009 19:46 Report abuse

  You could send them by raod only - read the details but you cant post overseas etc (so use a courier)

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  Rhetticus commented on 02/08/2009 15:25 Report abuse

  Actually brit_in_oz I think you could post a camera as the doc says:
  
  'Most lithium batteries used in consumer electronic devices contain less than the permitted amount of lithium. For example the following devices and batteries for such devices will be safe to send:
  Mobile phones, ipods, cameras, MP3s players, portable DVD players, most lap-top computers, camcorders, power tools, GPS navigation systems, watches, clocks, calculators, toys, remote car locks, bicycle lights, electronic shavers and other consumer electronic devices.'

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  cjmonkey commented on 02/08/2009 12:52 Report abuse

  so what of the 90 percent of passengers who climb on planes carrying mobile phones?

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  Annoyed user commented on 31/07/2009 15:30 Report abuse

  This is absolutely ridiculous, seriously!

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  d00dz commented on 31/07/2009 12:29 Report abuse

  There is no if's or buts. It's "All lithium batteries are now classified as dangerous goods and cannot be carried in the mail by air.
  
  Consequently, Australia Post can only accept lithium batteries or devices containing lithium batteries for transport within Australia by road.
  
  Australia Post cannot accept lithium batteries or devices containing lithium batteries for mailing overseas or for domestic air carriage."

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  Thorn_71s commented on 31/07/2009 08:34 Report abuse

  This applies to lithium "non rechargable" batteries I think and does not apply to lithium ion batteries. The premise being that lithium batteries cannot be extinguished using onboard fire fighting equipment in planes

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  brit_in_oz commented on 30/07/2009 22:40 Report abuse

  This is a strange decision given packaging regulations part 965,966,967 of IATA exempt batteries below 100wH installed in equipment from the IATA labelling regulations and restrictions, and only long life laptop betteries would meet his limit. It also means you can never post a digital camera! crazy!