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Hi
I've just sold a camera and need to post it off tomorrow. I've just become aware of the maze of legislation around posting batteries and it's a bit confusing!
Anyone have any experience of doing this legally? I'm not prepared to fib to the Royal Mail and say there's no batteries in the box.
If you could provide relevant links to support your info that would be awesome. The Royal Mail website says "no" but the other sites are saying "yes, if you follow these guidelines". I'm confused!
From Royal Mail's website ( https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/96/~/prohibited-and-restricted-items---advice-for-personal-customers )
Lithium ion / polymer batteries - contained in / connected to equipment / devices >>
(for example rechargeable batteries/cells found in portable electronics such as laptops, mobile phones, iPads, camcorders, cordless power tools etc.)
International & UK destinations - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
Damaged or recalled batteries or cells are not allowed.
Each package must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in or connected to equipment/devices.
The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package.
Watt-hour rating must not exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery.
Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3.
Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested.
Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.
Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries with or in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities.
Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit.
The equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation.
The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
TLDR You can send using Royal Mail
I was just about to post something similar.
Provided the battery is fitted to the device that it is intended to power then it's OK.
I sold a laptop recently and had the same worries and found the same information that simondbarnes has cut and pasted into his reply.
Yep, just tell them it is a camera with batteries in and off it goes.
If posting through a post office, tell the person at the counter the item is a camera that contains a lithium battery, the battery is inside the camera, they will (should) also ask the value of the item and probably prompt you to special delivery. They should register the item as restricted subject to labels and apply a un3091/un3481 sticker (it's quite large so please leave space) and also a fragile sticker if you haven't already.
Note: this only applies to UK domestic mail - it's fully restricted from international.