Anyone ever ship a car battery?
02-05-2013, 10:30 PM
#1
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Anyone ever ship a car battery?
I want to ship myself a lead acid battery from Orlando, FL to CA.
It will fit in a USPS flat rate box.
What precautions should I take?
Is this illegal?
Will they bust my black *** if I get caught? (I'm only black from the waist down)
It will fit in a USPS flat rate box.
What precautions should I take?
Is this illegal?
Will they bust my black *** if I get caught? (I'm only black from the waist down)
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02-05-2013, 10:43 PM
#2
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Liquid electrolyte or AGM/nonspillable? Liquid via USPS is a no-go (and the same with UPS and Fedex if I recall correctly)
348 Corrosives (Hazard Class 8)
"A nonspillable wet battery containing liquid electrolyte is permitted to be mailed only if the battery casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from spilling during Postal Service handling, as stated in DMM 601.10.19.4. Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in international mail but may be sent as domestic mail via air or surface transportation when prepared within the conditions of Packaging Instruction 8B in Appendix C."
348 Corrosives (Hazard Class 8)
"A nonspillable wet battery containing liquid electrolyte is permitted to be mailed only if the battery casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from spilling during Postal Service handling, as stated in DMM 601.10.19.4. Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in international mail but may be sent as domestic mail via air or surface transportation when prepared within the conditions of Packaging Instruction 8B in Appendix C."
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02-05-2013, 11:03 PM
#3
Boost Pope
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Non-AGM batteries can still be shipped via UPS / FedEx Ground, so long as they are sealed. (hint: non-sealed automotive batteries are almost impossible to purchase nowadays except for Group size 75 "super start" from Oreilly's- when is the last time you popped open a battery cover to top off the water? They still exist in the motorcycle world, but have been obsolete for years in cars.)
Last edited by Joe Perez; 02-06-2013 at 10:57 AM.
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02-05-2013, 11:36 PM
#4
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If it's sealed, throw the battery in a couple trash bags, label the box as "this end up," and send it off.
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02-06-2013, 01:18 AM
#5
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Is this considered sealed? No mention of it in the description.
Duralast Gold/Battery (8AMU1R) | AutoZone.com
Duralast Gold/Battery (8AMU1R) | AutoZone.com
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02-06-2013, 11:53 AM
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So is this battery considered sealed?
Is this considered sealed? No mention of it in the description.
Duralast Gold/Battery (8AMU1R) | AutoZone.com
Duralast Gold/Battery (8AMU1R) | AutoZone.com
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02-06-2013, 12:32 PM
#10
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I honestly don't know.
Everything I can find in terms of USPS regulations states that "A nonspillable wet battery containing liquid electrolyte is permitted to be mailed only if the battery casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from spilling during Postal Service handling, as stated in DMM 601.10.19.4. Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in international mail but may be sent as domestic mail via air or surface transportation when prepared within the conditions of Packaging Instruction 8B in Appendix C." (source)
The MSDS for the battery does not indicate UN2800 on it.
DMM 601.10.19.4 states:
Everything I can find in terms of USPS regulations states that "A nonspillable wet battery containing liquid electrolyte is permitted to be mailed only if the battery casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from spilling during Postal Service handling, as stated in DMM 601.10.19.4. Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in international mail but may be sent as domestic mail via air or surface transportation when prepared within the conditions of Packaging Instruction 8B in Appendix C." (source)
The MSDS for the battery does not indicate UN2800 on it.
DMM 601.10.19.4 states:
10.19.4 Nonspillable Wet Electric Storage Batteries
A battery containing liquid electrolyte is prohibited from mailing unless the battery casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from spilling during handling. Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in international mail, but may be sent as domestic mail via air or surface transportation under the following conditions:
That battery weighs 24 lbs, so in theory, it's mailable so long as it is "completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from spilling during handling." Check the top. Does it have un-screwable caps? Does it have vent holes?
A battery containing liquid electrolyte is prohibited from mailing unless the battery casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from spilling during handling. Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in international mail, but may be sent as domestic mail via air or surface transportation under the following conditions:
a. The nonspillable battery must be protected from short circuits, surrounded with sufficient cushioning material, and securely packaged in a strong fiberboard box that serves as the outer shipping container.
b. The outer shipping container must be marked “NONSPILLABLE BATTERY, UN2800” on the address side.
c. The nonspillable battery must be capable of withstanding the vibration and pressure differential tests cited in 49 CFR 173.159(d)(i) and (ii).
d. Only one nonspillable battery is allowed per mailpiece and the weight of the mailpiece cannot exceed 25 pounds.
b. The outer shipping container must be marked “NONSPILLABLE BATTERY, UN2800” on the address side.
c. The nonspillable battery must be capable of withstanding the vibration and pressure differential tests cited in 49 CFR 173.159(d)(i) and (ii).
d. Only one nonspillable battery is allowed per mailpiece and the weight of the mailpiece cannot exceed 25 pounds.
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02-06-2013, 01:20 PM
#11
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The Duralast battery that you linked to would not be legal to ship via USPS. Although it is a maintenance free battery, it still has a liquid electrolyte that can leak out of its vents during extreme conditions. If it carried UN2800 certification it would be fine. You are much better off purchasing a new one in CA.
Joe- You and your bloody edits. I have another maintenance battery in my Tracker and I should go outside and check water level in it just to spite you.
Joe- You and your bloody edits. I have another maintenance battery in my Tracker and I should go outside and check water level in it just to spite you.
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02-06-2013, 02:21 PM
#12
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Ironically, it would be perfectly legal to mail a flooded battery which is of the maintainable (non-sealed) variety. Just flip it upside-down and drain all of the electrolyte out of it. This is how motorcycle batteries are typically shipped. On the receiving end, you buy a container of electrolyte, adjust the SG (if needed) by mixing in some distilled water, and pour it into the battery. You can buy it at any motorcycle shop, and some auto parts stores also carry it.
I'm also in the camp of not understanding why it's desirable to mail this battery.
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02-06-2013, 05:27 PM
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Ironically, it would be perfectly legal to mail a flooded battery which is of the maintainable (non-sealed) variety. Just flip it upside-down and drain all of the electrolyte out of it. This is how motorcycle batteries are typically shipped. On the receiving end, you buy a container of electrolyte, adjust the SG (if needed) by mixing in some distilled water, and pour it into the battery. You can buy it at any motorcycle shop, and some auto parts stores also carry it.
I'm also in the camp of not understanding why it's desirable to mail this battery.
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