How to ship e-bike lithium batteries within the UK?

[Fordulike]

Sorry if this has been already covered recently, but with Royal Mail clamping down extensively on the transport of lithium batteries within the UK, what are the alternatives?

 

[Steponit]

I'd try (link spam removed) no connection, just used successfully a few times for shipping boxed items). You'd need to specify insurance I guess.

Do you have a good source for batteries by the way?

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Fordulike,

All carriers already have or are in the process of clamping down on the transport of lithium batteries esp. those over 100Wh so all electric bike batteries.

I took a battery to my local Post Office on Friday who refused to take it, even after explanations re UN38.3 etc. I took it to the main PO in Sevenoaks. I declared it was Lithium Ion battery and should be dealt with as Class 9 Dangerous Goods. They looked at the packaging to check the correct Class 9 diamond was printed on the box, stuck a label onto the box to say what to do if the packaging was damaged, charged me about £12.00 and that was it, no fuss and no more expensive than sending any other parcel.

As long as the battery and packaging is certified to UN 38.3. There should be no difference sending a battery overland as any other 3kg package.

All the best

David

 

[Fordulike]

Thanks for your reply David.
So it looks like the actual procedure of carrying goods through the system isn't changing, just the awareness to the workers handling the goods, that it could be a bit risky to kick the package about

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I sent three batteries today. 2 went by UPS, and the other by Collect Plus. I took the Collect Plus one to my local corner shop, which is a collection point. They don't ask any questions, and it only cost £6.29 for that bottle battery I repaired.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Dave,

I think we can all still "get away" with sending batteries without declaring what is in the carton, and I think as long as you are not in the industry you may be OK. As an electric bike supplier, we would run the risk of heavy fines and even imprisonment if something went badly wrong. We sell quite a few batteries without bikes and simply daren't take the risk.

It has been clearly indicated to me by our Dangerous Goods Advisor that it is a criminal offence to offer for transportation lithium batteries that are not correctly certified and packaged. I am inclined to take his advice.

All the best

David

 

[Scimitar]

Thanks for your reply David.
So it looks like the actual procedure of carrying goods through the system isn't changing, just the awareness to the workers handling the goods, that it could be a bit risky to kick the package about

For some of them, it's an invitation to kick it about.

 

[Fordulike]

For some of them, it's an invitation to kick it about.

Yeah, never ever write 'fragile' on a parcel

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

I have recieved three batteries recently from different companies and not one had the proper information on the package. Therefore I think some are still unaware or not following guidelines.

 

[Fordulike]

I think it's all a bit of scaremongering from the Civil Aviation Authority, who by the way, aren't squeaky clean when it comes to battery transportation

For decades, people have been sending batteries all over the UK with nary a peep out of the CAA.
I believe we're even talking about those itsy bitsy little lithium watch batteries too.
Then there happens to be a some dodgy Hobby King batteries installed on the planes, and out comes the balls of cotton wool.

Just let the little people get on with what they've been doing all these years.
A little bit of risk and danger makes life fun

 

[Scimitar]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPS_Airlines_Flight_6
Final paragraph of the main article and the following section are important.

 

[Fordulike]

Interesting read Dave, thanks.

Moving slightly away from the aircraft theme but staying with lithium fires. If an e-bike battery were to ignite in ones home, what would be the safest and best way to either control the fire, or extinguish it completely?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Get it outside as quick as you can however you can. If you drop or stab a set of lipos, they take a while to get going - normally smoking first. That's the time to act before they start to flare up. Once the flames appear, there's little you can do.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

I have received three batteries recently from different companies and not one had the proper information on the package. Therefore I think some are still unaware or not following guidelines.

It will take a while longer Dave, we have known about the issue for a few months now and have only just got ourselves completely sorted out. Hopefully everyone in the industry is aware of the dangers now, and will make certain that soon no more batteries are sent out illegally.

All the best

David

 

[Fordulike]

Unfortunately, correct labelling won't stop this from happening

[video=youtube;jF_w7uSnOj0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF_w7uSnOj0[/video]

 

[Wisper Bikes]

True, but at least everyone involved in sending the package can rest in the knowledge the battery has been throughly tested and certified to cope with such occurrences.

All the best

David

 

[flecc]

Interesting read Dave, thanks.

Moving slightly away from the aircraft theme but staying with lithium fires. If an e-bike battery were to ignite in ones home, what would be the safest and best way to either control the fire, or extinguish it completely?

As Dave says, outside asap, but an alternative I've used on two packs also works well, immersed in ample cold water in a bath or sink. It allows the internal short circuit to reach conclusion without fire or explosion.

 

[Fordulike]

True, but at least everyone involved in sending the package can rest in the knowledge the battery has been throughly tested and certified to cope with such occurrences.

All the best

David

I'm not in any way trying to start an argument over this, but say I went to the post office and declared I wanted to send a lithium battery through Royal Mail.
So they print off a label with the correct warnings and identifying marks, then attach it to the parcel.
Parcel goes off as normal. Surely this doesn't prove that the battery was thoroughly tested and certified before it was packaged?

Am I missing something here

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Not at all, that is absolutely possible FUL. No carrier is going to check out the certification prior to sending. The onus to get it right is on the sender. One could equally pack 3kg of Semtex in the battery box, the responsibility for the contents of the carton is the sender's. If the battery caused damage and was then proven to be non certified, the sender would be in big trouble, even if he had used the correct carton.

All the best

David

 

[Fordulike]

Not at all, that is absolutely possible FUL. No carrier is going to check out the certification prior to sending. The onus to get it right is on the sender. One could equally pack 3kg of Semtex in the battery box, the responsibility for the contents of the carton is the sender's. If the battery caused damage and was then proven to be non certified, the sender would be in big trouble, even if he had used the correct carton.

All the best

David

David, stick with electric bikes. Don't think bomb making would be your thing