(Credit: Australia Post)
Australia Post will no longer be accepting packages that contain lithium batteries by air.
The batteries have been classified as dangerous, leading the International Civil Aviation Organisation to enact more stringent controls. This follows on the exploding laptop batteries debacle of 2006, prompting a recall, and further recalls in 2008 and 2009.
Lithium batteries may still be sent by road, but only if they are lithium-ion and rated for 2 grams, 100-Watt-hours or under.
Most devices should fall under this requirement, although in the official document (PDF) Australia Post mentions that "Equipment will not be safe to send if it contains more than two batteries/four cells" — six-cell batteries being common in laptops.
A customer is also required to attach a "Road Transport Only" sticker to the package, although Australia Post does not guarantee its arrival if remote locations can only be reached by air. Air carriers scan mail for dangerous goods, and any packages containing lithium batteries will be rejected.
This has potential run-on effects for those who import electronic products from overseas to bypass Australia's often higher priced goods. Australians will also not be able to send offending products overseas, and those who wish to send electronic gifts over long distances but still within the country will have to be sent early, to make up for the additional road transport time.
When will Australia post just think outside the square box it places itself in.
Common sense not some obtuse reference to some Authority from Overseas.
When the airlines ban lithum batteries from aircraft - then ban the postage of these things
Until there is a clear and present danger posted and documented by Australia Postthen BLOODY Australia Post should stop acting like frilly blouse wearing mommy's boys and just do their job without making up new rules no NOT DO THEIR JOB.
Will someone please privatise Australia post and fire all these idiots who make up new rules.