Background

In 2008, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enforced restrictions on lithium batteries in checked and carry-on luggage. Lithium batteries not installed in a device are not allowed in checked luggage. Lithium batteries are restricted in carry-on luggage based on the total lithium content.

In 2010, the Australia Post restricted lithium batteries from air mail transport.

Some countries, such as the United States, Hong Kong, and Japan, restricted airmail shipping of lithium batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and products containing these, such as laptops and cell phones. On May 16, 2012, the United States Postal Service (USPS) banned shipping anything containing a lithium battery to an overseas address after fires occurred from transporting batteries. This restriction made it difficult to send anything containing lithium batteries to military personnel overseas, as the USPS was the only method of shipment to these addresses; the ban was lifted on November 15, 2012. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines excluded lithium-ion batteries in 2015 after a Federal Aviation Association (FAA) report on chain reactions.

Since January 1, 2013, the IATA has dictated strict regulations for the carriage of lithium batteries by air because lithium batteries can provide extremely high currents, discharging very rapidly when short-circuited, leading to the following:

• Overheating
• Rupture
• Explosion

The regulations were adopted by the International Postal Union but some countries, such as the United Kingdom (UK), have enforced even stricter guidelines and will not accept lithium batteries at all by mail unless they are accompanying the product which they power.