changes to Royal Mail and prohibited items

Abbafan1972

I have sold a camera on Ebay which takes 4 x AA batteries (bridge camera) and I have included a set of rechargeables in the sale.

I took it to the post office this morning and the counter clerk asked me if there were dangerous items in there and when she mentioned batteries or course I said yes. I took them out of the camera and put them inside the box, (they are secure in a compartment inside the box, so they won't move), I didn't want them to leak or anything inside the camera which is why I've removed them.

The post office staff were a bit confused as to whether AA batteries were allowed as the information card they had only mentioned lithium-ion.

Anyway the item was sent and they gave me a sticker to place on the parcel which has a picture of batteries on it and a wine glass.

I hope there won't be a problem with it and it gets there ok.

They have given me a leaflet about the changes which apparently have come in today and I'm still confused! It would have been a whole lot easier for me to have said no when she asked me if there were batteries inside!

Has anyone else come across this today?

custardy

Batteries that are classed as dangerous goods by the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions are prohibited. This includes wet spillable lead acid/lead alkaline batteries (such as car batteries), used alkaline metal, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd), zinc-air batteries, and damaged batteries of any type.

Lithium ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries when not sent with, or contained in/connected to an electronic device, are prohibited.

Lithium ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries are allowed when sent with or contained in/connected to an electronic device, but are subject to packaging, volume and quantity restrictions. Please see https://www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods.

For more information on lithium batteries please see the IATA Lithium Battery Guidance Document .

Sealed lead acid batteries are allowed in the UK, but are also subject to packaging, volume, quantity and labelling restrictions. Please see https://www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods

Alkaline metal, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries may only be sent when new and in their original packaging. Please see https://www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Tell-me-about-Prohibited-Goods

Abbafan1972

Thanks for posting that.

I knew nothing about this, as I don't sell stuff very often.

I have read that they can dispose of your item, I hope it gets there and don't like the idea of losing the camera!

barmonkey

Today, instead of being asked "are there any prohibited items inside" the woman asked me what was inside, I told her at the top of my voice " its a large dildo", it wasn't, but what business is it of hers as long as its not prohibited.

BigJonnyB

barmonkey wrote: »

Today, instead of being asked "are there any prohibited items inside" the woman asked me what was inside, I told her at the top of my voice " its a large dildo", it wasn't, but what business is it of hers as long as its not prohibited.

Because ALL PO staff/ subposmasters/ agency workers or whoever now HAVE to ask what is inside the item being posted. We don't like it, as people think we're being intrusive or suchlike - but we are being aggressively mystery shopped by the civil aviation authority - if we don't ask what's inside we can lose the ability to accept any mail items for three months. Subposmasters such as myself have had that in writing, and are under clear instructions.

Most customers wont know what is prohibited and what isn't , and while some will moan that we're asking, you can guarantee they'll be the first to moan when their items are destroyed.

So if you'd blurted out 'it's a large dildo' to me I would have needed to ask you further questions about whether there were any batteries inside, and check how the item was pacakaged. We have to make a record of that through Horizon (our naff computer system) by scanning a barcode before accepting the item - in case of future disputes etc. This also ensures we are paid for checking items/ applying certain labels etc.

You might think you're funny or making a point by being loud, but really it's very rude to the people trying to do their job.

dw2013

I've just been in today to post a mobile which I'd sold on ebay.

I had all the original packaging and had taken the battery out of the mobile and wrapped it in it's original wrapper. All this was in the original box, which was inside another box with bubblewrap ( possibly over the top but I want to keep my ebay score at 100%).
I was asked about what I had in the box and said it was a mobile. I was then asked about the battery, to which I replied that it was wrapped carefully in the original packaging etc. I was told 'we can't accept it unless it''s inserted in the device'. This is when my voice began to raise (I've had a long day, it's hot) 'seriously, I can't post it!?' I eventually had to completely open and unravel the packaging, bearing in mind there was a VERY long line of disgruntled customers behind me, and repackage the mobile with it's battery inserted (i must say though that the staff did offer me scissors and tape). Postage finally successful!
However the problem now is that i have also just sold a power-tool battery which after a discussion with the staff i will jot be able to post - great!
The only thing I an think of is seeing if a private courier service will accept it instead.

They will only accept Li-Ion batteries that are inserted into a device - any other wet batteries are a NO NO.

NOTE: I was told all parcels are screened for prohibited objects so you'll have to take your chances if you say it's a dildo when it's actually a battery!

BigJonnyB

it is really annoying - it is very time consuming, there are some very detailed rules that most people wont have a clue about (magnetic fields!) and we (people working on the counter) are now suffering from the abuse/ irate customers who think we're just being picky for no reason.

I can only talk for myself and my partner, but we'd rather not being doing it, and are not happy about it. But it has been imposed on RM and POL by the CAA and now we've got to get on with it.

I don't know whether all inland items will be scanned - but the overseas certainly are. We've had a fair few people who lied to us about the contents of overseas packages and then had them destroyed by RM...but some people wont listen!

barmonkey

BigJonnyB wrote: »

You might think you're funny or making a point by being loud, but really it's very rude to the people trying to do their job.

And I consider it very rude and nosy to be asked whats in a private package,
its almost as if the post office are trying to upset its customers.

barmonkey

What will happen with packages that are put straight in the post box ?

custardy

barmonkey wrote: »

And I consider it very rude and nosy to be asked whats in a private package,
its almost as if the post office are trying to upset its customers.

Use another service then

incase anyone missed the 1st line

Batteries that are classed as dangerous goods by the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions are prohibited

BigJonnyB

barmonkey wrote: »

And I consider it very rude and nosy to be asked whats in a private package,
its almost as if the post office are trying to upset its customers.

As myself and custardy have pointed out, it has nothing to do with the post office (or Royal Mail).

At the post office we only to have ask for items larger than a large letter (i.e. small packet) as anything smaller is deemed unlikely to have dangerous goods in. Therefore items posted in a postbox would mostly not be questioned if presented at the counter anyway due to size.