Restrictions for shipping lithium batteries via USPS (update from Shipito)

Below is the information regarding restrictions posed by USPS for shipping lithium batteries. Shipito, a freight forwarder, recommends to follow these requirements in order to ship lithium batteries without having your packages returned.



Lithium Cell: refers to things like AA, AAA, C, D batteries, as well as button cell batteries that you can find at a retail store.

Lithium Battery: refers to two or more cells wired together and to battery packs and modules like those found in laptop computers and smart phones.

New Lithium battery Limitations Effective November 2012:

• Battery must be installed in the equipment being shipped


• Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries per package


• NO spare batteries - no more than the number of batteries required to operate the equipment (Example: no extra battery for a cordless drill).


• NO large batteries - like those that exceed lithium content or watt-hour power limits (Example: elec. bike; scooters; elec wheelchair; etc.).

Lithium Battery Do's

• Mail piece contains no more than 4 cells or 2 batteries. Batteries are installed in equipment


• Package is in good condition and will protect the equipment during processing and transport

Lithium Battery Don't

• Do NOT ship lithium batteries packed along or separate from equipment


• Do NOT ship damaged or defective lithium batteries


• Do NOT ship packages with more than 4 cells or two batteries

If you follow these requirement, your packages should be going through USPS smoothly.