changes to Royal Mail and prohibited items

ballisticbrian

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

The irony is not lost on me that I have never seen a battery burst into flames ever under all kinds of unusual conditions, and yet the current news every few months seems to be about the Dreamliners own batteries spontaneously combusting.

Gary123456790

Good job they don't mention Zinc Chloride batteries as thats what I put in my items before I post them!

martindow

Looking at the leaflet I was given this morning it seems that used batteries of any type are prohibited. The two allowable categories both specify that the batteries must be new.

barmonkey

I posted 4 medium parcels today, 3 in a main post office and 1 in a small village post office, they never asked me or anyone else in front of me what was in the packages or if they contained restricted items.

Strapped

dw2013 wrote: »

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!

In their own guidelines, it appears you can send Li batteries with (rather than "in") electronic devices. (Details re. exactly which batteries that, I confess, I haven't read as I don't sell electronic devices) http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/Royal-Mail-Prohibited-and-Restricted-Items.pdf

barmonkey

BigJonnyB wrote: »

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

Yes it is, im not sending international so the ICAO rules do not apply, the rules over inland packages are Royal Mail rules.

theonlywayisup

barmonkey wrote: »

Yes it is, im not sending international so the ICAO rules do not apply, the rules over inland packages are Royal Mail rules.

It's immaterial if you are sending domestically or internationally, RM use planes domestically too. It is down to various agencies, not least the CAA and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

shaun_from_Africa

barmonkey wrote: »

Yes it is, im not sending international so the ICAO rules do not apply, the rules over inland packages are Royal Mail rules.

It doesn't matter whether it's international or not as some RM domestic mailbags still end up going in an aircraft. (how do you think that mails gets to places like the Shetlands or Orkneys?).

I also wouldn't be surprised to find that some Special delivery shipments end up going airfreight if they are being sent from one end of mainland UK to the other.

custardy

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

It doesn't matter whether it's international or not as some RM domestic mailbags still end up going in an aircraft. (how do you think that mails gets to places like the Shetlands or Orkneys?).

I also wouldn't be surprised to find that some Special delivery shipments end up going airfreight if they are being sent from one end of mainland UK to the other.

I believe the he majority of SDs will go via air outwith the local stuff

patman99

The new rules must apply to all RM's competitors as well. So you will find DHL, TNT etal will now have the same rules.