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Batteries
As a general rule, we can accept most batteries used in consumer electronic products for shipping if they meet the requirements for shipping batteries (see below).
This includes:
- AA batteries
- AAA batteries
- C batteries
- D batteries
Battery shipment requirements
You must:
- Always protect battery and cell terminals to prevent short circuit. You can do this by covering the terminals with an insulating material (for example, by using electrical tape or enclosing each battery separately in a plastic bag) or by shipping in original manufacturer packaging.
- Ship the contents in strong and rigid outer packaging which can withstand normal conditions of transport.
- Equip batteries and equipment with an effective means of preventing accidental activation.
- Package equipment in a way to prevent movement of the cells or batteries and avoid breakage under normal conditions of transport and handling.
You must not ship batteries and equipment that are:
- Damaged
- Defective or recalled
- Transported for recycling or disposal
Lithium batteries
You may only mail lithium batteries that meet the criteria set out below.
You may not mail lithium batteries used to power vehicles, including:
- Hoverboards
- Self-balancing boards and wheels
- Electric bicycles
- Wheelchair batteries
Lithium cell
A lithium cell is a single encased unit made up of one positive and one negative electrode that exhibits a voltage differential across the two terminals (such as an AA battery).
Lithium battery
A lithium battery is one or more cells electrically connected (such as a laptop battery).
Additional requirements for lithium batteries
You may only mail lithium batteries:
- Meeting the conditions outlined in Schedule 2, Special Provision 34 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
- Subject to the restrictions set out in the table below
Please note: You aren’t allowed to ship lithium batteries to any destination outside of Canada and the U.S.
You must fully complete a customs declaration form and properly declare the content of the package destined to the U.S.
Please note:
Portable charging devices must follow the acceptance requirements for “Batteries on their own” in the following table.
Lithium battery acceptance requirements
| Content description | Label | Domestic Air 1 | Domestic Surface 1 | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Installed in equipment (Up to 4 cells or 2 batteries) UN3481 - Lithium ion UN3091 - Lithium metal |
No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
Installed in equipment (More than 4 cells or 2 batteries) UN3481 - Lithium ion UN3091 - Lithium metal |
Yes (see Lithium battery mark) | Not accepted 2 | Yes 3 | Not accepted |
|
Packed with, not installed in equipment UN3481 - Lithium ion UN3091 - Lithium metal |
Yes (see Lithium battery mark) | Not accepted 2 | Yes 3 | Not accepted |
|
Batteries on their own UN3480 - Lithium ion UN3090 - Lithium metal |
Yes (see Lithium battery mark) | Not accepted | Yes 3 | Not accepted |
1 Air services refer to Priority™ and Xpresspost™; Surface services refer to Expedited Parcel™ and Regular Parcel™
2 We have an expanded battery acceptance program available for contract and Solutions for Small Business customers. Contact your sales representative or call Customer Service at 1‑866‑607‑6301 for more details.
3 Must not be shipped to remote Air Stage locations in Canada. For a complete list of locations, please see our air stage office list.
Please add the UN number (or numbers) and phone number at the bottom of the lithium battery mark.
The label must fit on one side of the item.