Shipito customers won't be able to ship electronics with lithium batteries to international destinations after starting May 16, 2012

USPS sent new email saying that packages with lithium batteries (lithium, li-ion and li-pol batteries) will be prohibited after May 15, 2012.

Effective May 16 2012 until January 2013, the Postal Service will not be able to accept packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries addressed to international destinations. This includes mail destined to, or from, APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office) and DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) locations.

This change is required by the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), both of which currently prohibit lithium batteries in mail shipments that are carried on international commercial air transportation.

This change will not apply to packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries when mailed within the United States on domestic commercial air or ground transportation.

International organizations apply different rules to the carriage of lithium batteries in mail shipments carried on commercial aircraft as compared to domestic requirements.

We anticipate that by January 2013, international aviation rules will be changed to allow mailing of lithium batteries when installed in the personal electronic devices they are intended to operate.

USPS is working with expert organizations to determine if any new exceptions can be developed prior to January 2013. Further announcements will be made should USPS be able to accept lithium batteries in certain types of mail shipments as soon as any new options become available.

We appreciate your business and are committed to providing you with a high standard of service.

So unlike previously expected, Shipito customers will have more time to ship packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries via USPS. Please note that your package has to physically leave Shipito warehouse on May 15, so I recommend scheduling package for mailout at least a day or two BEFORE this date.


The good news is that Shipito Airmail Priority accepts packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices. So customers who can not use DHL, Fedex, TNT, UPS, Polonez Parcel or any other carrier will still be able to ship electronics via Shipito. Shipito Airmail Priority packages are handled by postal services around the world. And they are insured.

Another good news is that several package forwarders allow to ship lithium batteries from USA to Russia.

Update (November 05, 2013)
Sgipito Airmail can no longer be used for shipping lithim batteries. But you may still use other alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito like USPS Priority, USPS Express, Russian Post, FedEx, DHL or TNT.