Yes, you can mail a cell phone with its battery installed, but you must follow strict regulations: turn the phone off, pack it securely to prevent accidental activation and short circuits (like wrapping in bubble wrap), and use appropriate shipping services, often requiring a "Road Transport Only" label and adherence to carrier rules for lithium batteries (like USPS, FedEx, DHL). Loose batteries are much more restricted, so keeping it in the device is best.
Mobile phones contain lithium batteries*, which means they may need special precautions and labeling for shipping. As long as the battery is in the phone, it will stay grounded, so don't attempt to remove the battery from the phone. Make sure the phone is turned off when you pack and ship it.
Fortunately they are relatively easy to package and ship. Due to their light weight and small dimensions, mobile phones are also quite inexpensive to send domestically through the post.
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.
Before learning how to ship a phone, you might ponder whether you can mail it overseas at all. Rest assured, you can ship a cell phone internationally. But you need to be aware of restrictions on sending lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries belong to the category of hazardous goods.
Shipments may end up on an aircraft and an aircraft's fire suppression system may not be able to extinguish all types of lithium battery fires. safety testing information should be requested before any battery is shipped. information on this course.
Preferably, use the original box the mobile handset came in when new and pack your mobile phone as it was when you received it. If you don't have the box anymore, wrap up the phone with at least 2cm of bubble wrap and find a box like the original. Use plenty of tape along all the box's seams and any flaps.
In general, you can ship phones with the USPS if the battery is installed in the phone and you clearly label the outer packaging to indicate that there are lithium-ion batteries inside. You should use a strong shipping box that can withstand rough handling, and use packing peanuts to fill in the gaps inside the box.
Many people wonder 'can you send phones in the post'. The good news is you can, and it's a very simple process.
What is prohibited and may not be mailed internationally or to, from, or between APO, FPO, or DPO locations?
However, the most egregious cause of the Li-ion battery explosions is manufacturer defects. Cheap materials and poor quality assurance can introduce impurities or foreign particles inside the battery, which can create short circuits and increase the likelihood of thermal runaway.
In the event the package cannot be shipped directly from the retailer, you can ship most consumer-type lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries—including power banks, laptops, tablets, and cell phones—safely and easily if certain precautions are taken.
How should I package my electronic devices for posting? As with standard postage, everything depends on size and weight. According to the Royal Mail, using sturdy packaging type boxes and padded envelopes are the best ways to package your devices securely for transit.
Keep your phone physically secure.
You can use phone cases with straps or lanyards that attach to your wrist to help keep you connected to your phone. They're not 100% secure, but may act as a deterrent.
Both offer package tracking, insurance, and delivery guarantees. FedEx specializes in international air freight, while UPS is a domestic shipping specialist, which might make UPS slightly more reliable within the US.
Wrapping your phone in tinfoil may block wireless signals, but there's no real benefit for regular everyday use. To protect yourself, stick to good security practices—and save the foil for leftovers.
All used consumer devices with lithium batteries must be labeled as such and can only be shipped via ground services. Go to a post office and a clerk can pull out the book and walk you through what you need to know and how to label your packages.
Why ship with FedEx? Our dangerous goods capabilities are unrivalled. We distil decades of know-how into delivering thousands of shipments every single day. We implement special measures so your shipments containing lithium batteries are correctly handled from the moment we collect them to their final destination.
The 80/20 rule for lithium batteries recommends: Charge up to 80% for daily use. Charge to 100% only when needed, such as before a long trip or a full discharge cycle. Avoid letting the battery discharge lower than 20%.