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USPS: no more lithium batteries

  • Published
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTWEST ASIA --  The U.S. Postal Service has announced new restrictions on the mailing of lithium batteries.

Effective May 16, lithium batteries will no longer be mailable to or from international destinations to include APO's and FPO's.

This represents a major change in the way the post offices do business. Items such as laptops, cell phones, cameras, and some watches can't be mailed unless the lithium batteries are removed. Items with non-removable lithium batteries are non-mailable. Below is the USPS message release in its entirety:

Effective May 16, 2012 USPS will prohibit in international mail, lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries and devices containing lithium batteries. This prohibition includes mail sent to and from APO, FPO and DPO locations.

Military and Diplomatic postal clerks at APOs, FPOs and DPOs should also question patrons and check customs labels for any declarations of lithium batteries or electronic equipment to determine whether lithium batteries are in the shipment.

Customers sending outbound international or APO, FPO and DPO shipments containing lithium batteries will have the option of removing the lithium batteries from the package, or not mailing the package.

Upon identification of packages containing lithium batteries, Military and Diplomatic postal clerks should also advise the customers that they have the option of removing the lithium batteries or not mailing the package.

Customers sending electronic devices containing removable lithium batteries must remove the lithium batteries before tendering international and to or from APO, FPO and DPO shipments for mailing. Electronic equipment with non-removable lithium batteries may not be sent by international or military/diplomatic mail.

"Many questions are going to come up about this policy. We have had a dozen questions already," said Jim Amorose, Rock postmaster. "The Postal Service came up with the restriction but not solutions to the problems it will cause. I'm sure as time goes on more will be put out on this, and possibly USPS will modify their restriction to be less inclusive."

If you have any questions regarding this change, including what can or can't be mailed, contact the post office at 442-2040.