Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) cells and batteries and lithium-ion (rechargeable) cells and batteries are mailable in limited quantities internationally or to and from APO, FPO, or DPO locations only when they are properly installed in the equipment they operate. Lithium batteries must also be accepted by the destination country as designated by the Individual Country Listing in the IMM. APO/FPO/DPO destinations are also subject to the conditions prescribed by the Department of Defense (DOD) as listed in Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail in the Postal Bulletin.
- Lithium metal batteries properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate:
- Lithium-ion batteries properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate:
Installed in equipment:
Note: A lithium battery consignment, as defined in 349.12b, is limited to a maximum of two mailpieces for all international and APO/FPO/DPO mailings.
Installed in equipment:
Note: A lithium battery consignment, as defined in 349.12b, is limited to a maximum of two mailpieces for all international and APO/FPO/DPO mailings.
International Lithium Battery Mailability Exhibit
| International APO/FPO/DPO1, 2 | Mailpiece Battery Limit3 |
Lithium Metal or Lithium Alloy Batteries 4, 5 Small, non-rechargeable, consumer-type batteries |
Contained in (properly installed in equipment) | Mailable | Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries |
Packed with equipment, but not installed in the equipment | Prohibited | |
Without the equipment they operate (individual batteries in originally sealed packaging) | Prohibited | |
Lithium-ion or Lithium Polymer Batteries 6, 7 Small, rechargeable, consumer-type batteries |
Contained in (properly installed in equipment) | Mailable | Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries |
Packed with equipment, but not installed in the equipment | Prohibited | |
Without the equipment they operate (individual batteries in originally sealed packaging) | Prohibited | |
Very Small Lithium Metal or Lithium-ion Batteries 8, 9 Exception for very small consumer-type batteries in international mailings |
Contained in (properly installed in equipment) | Mailable | Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries |
Packed with equipment, but not installed in the equipment | Prohibited | |
Without the equipment they operate (individual batteries in originally sealed packaging) | Prohibited | |
1. Unless otherwise prohibited by the international destination country or specific APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Code location.
2. Used, damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries and used damaged, or defective electronic devices containing lithium batteries are prohibited and may not be mailed internationally or to, from or between APO, FPO, or DPO locations under any circumstances. This excludes electronic devices that are new in original packaging, and manufacturer-certified new or refurbished devices.
3. When a mailpiece limitation of 4 cells or 2 batteries is applicable, a mailpiece may contain either 4 cells or 2 batteries, not both.
4. Each lithium metal or lithium alloy cell must not contain more than 1.0 g (gram) of lithium content.
5. Each lithium metal or lithium alloy battery must not contain more than 2.0 g of aggregate lithium content.
6. Each lithium-ion or lithium polymer cell must not exceed more than 20 Wh (watt-hour rating).
7. Each lithium-ion or lithium polymer battery must not exceed 100 Wh.
8. Each lithium metal or lithium alloy cell or battery must not exceed 0.3 g of lithium content.
9. Each lithium-ion or lithium polymer cell or battery must not exceed a watt-hour rating of 2.7 Wh.
Note: Shipments containing lithium batteries are not permitted in Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces.