Shipping smartphone overseas from Canada

Summary: mobilerewind discussed their difficulty shipping a smartphone overseas due to Canada Post rejecting the package because of its lithium battery. brettjet38 pointed out that lithium-ion batteries are classified as dangerous and not allowed by air mail, referring to Canada Post’s list of dangerous goods. dinomitesales clarified that small electronics can indeed be shipped domestically and to the US with installed batteries, but not internationally, suggesting using couriers like UPS or FedEx instead. john_koenig99 emphasized the dangers of batteries in air transport, and others advised mobilerewind to be more informed about shipping restrictions and to consider alternative methods or services, such as UPS, that may handle such items with strict guidelines. The discussion highlighted the complexity of international shipping regulations regarding batteries.

Tried shipping a smartphone to Japan to a customer, but it got rejected by Canada Post saying the package was not allowed to be mailed. When I reached out to them they said it's likely because a smartphone contains a battery. Anyone else have this issue shipping small electronics with built in batteries from Canada to overseas destinations. Seems like a bit strange not accepting it for air mail. Does anyone have a economical solution or way to get Canada Post to accept small electronics for Global markets? No wonder we are so reliant on the US for our economy, our National postal service won't let us do business outside Canada/US. Thanks for the help

mobilerewind

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Posted 1 year ago·Last reply 1 year ago

8 comments

lotzofuniquegoodies

·1 year ago

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@mobilerewind wrote:
Tried shipping a smartphone to Japan to a customer, but it got rejected by Canada Post saying the package was not allowed to be mailed. When I reached out to them they said it's likely because a smartphone contains a battery. Anyone else have this issue shipping small electronics with built in batteries from Canada to overseas destinations. Seems like a bit strange not accepting it for air mail. Does anyone have a economical solution or way to get Canada Post to accept small electronics for Global markets? No wonder we are so reliant on the US for our economy, our National postal service
won't let us do business outside Canada/US. Thanks for the help

@mobilerewind

The rationalization for not shipping a lithium battery as cargo vs taking as carry on on a plane.

Since 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations agency that coordinates global aviation regulations, has banned lithium-ion batteries, the kind commonly found in power banks, from the cargo holds of passenger planes. Mar 13, 2025

Allowed in Carry-on and Checked Baggage:
Most personal electronic devices, including cell phones and tablets, are permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage.
Lithium Batteries:
Devices containing lithium batteries, such as cell phones and tablets, are allowed, but spare lithium batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage and not checked.

Regulations and Safety Protocols:

Classification as Dangerous Goods:
Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other transportation authorities.
Packing and Labeling Requirements:
Strict packing and labeling requirements are in place to ensure safe transportation of lithium batteries.
UN 38.3 Testing:
Lithium-ion batteries shipped in Canada must pass the United Nations (UN) Manual of Tests and Criteria Part III, Subsection 38.3 (UN 38.3) before they are transported.
Proper Handling:
Trained personnel must handle and transport lithium batteries according to established procedures.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
Failure to comply with regulations can result in fines and other penalties.
Protection During Transport:
Devices with installed batteries should be packaged to prevent accidental activation or movement during transit.

Note: Part about extreme temperature. This can happen during the various methods of transportation including a cargo hold in a plane.

Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode due to thermal runaway, a chain reaction caused by overheating, which can be triggered by overcharging, physical damage, or extreme temperatures
Marking and Labeling:
Packages containing lithium batteries must be clearly marked and labeled to inform everyone involved in their transport about the potential hazards and how to handle them safely.
Drop Test:
Packages containing lithium batteries must be able to withstand a 1.2 m drop test without damage to the batteries or shifting of contents.

Lastly you can take a course in the safe shipping and transport of dangerous goods to get certified. Surcharge with UPS ground cost is approx. 33.00 per package. Up to 160.00 with Fedex. If you attempt to send 1 with CP and get caught you will be accessed a surcharge of approximately 300.00. Personally, I wouldn't take the chance.

ilikehockeyjerseys

·1 year ago

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Go to UPS and explain that you have a lithium battery and see what their solution would be for you. Depending on the category that the battery falls into and where it is going, they may have to be packed a very specific way with very specific markings. It may be considered hazardous materials. This isn't a Canada Post thing specifically, it happens with all shipping carriers in different countries.

The reality is, selling online worldwide is not a garage sale/side hustle type thing that you should reasonably expect to be able to do. Every country has different regulations. It is a lot to navigate.

This is the reason why eBay has something called the global shipping program in the US. Which is basically where eBay does all the legwork for you, and you only have to ship the item to their domestic warehouse.

Ultimately, you may have to cancel the transaction if there isn't an economical service or viable way for you to send it.

mrdutch1001

·1 year ago

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"No wonder we are so reliant on the US for our economy, our National postal service won't let us do business outside Canada/US"

You cannot ship electronics with specific restricted batteries to the USA either, so be sure it is You that is informed on what you can sell to what country...

ALL postal systems have rules and regulations that must be followed and ALL postal systems have a restrictions/prohibited items list.

john_koenig99

·1 year ago

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The issue is the battery. They need specific conditions for shipping, being prompt to fire and or explosion, under certain conditions. And no shipping service that I know would accept them for air transport.

The main issue is the battery, of course. If you are able to remove the battery from the phone, and ship it without it, that would be an option. But many phones nowadays don't have that option.

As far as I know, you are limited to ground transportation, therefore excluding most overseas markets, when it comes to cellphones.

brettjet38

·1 year ago

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Maybe you should read the rules about "EXPORTING" as you seem very uninformed and not to self-educated about shipping iffy items out of the country...!

You CANNOT ship anything with a lithium-ion battery by AIR, PERIOD!

Exporting 101

brettjet38

·1 year ago

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List of dangerous goods (CANADA POST)

Class 1 – Explosives

Ammunition and cartridges
Black powder
Blasting caps
Detonators
Dynamite
Explosive fuses and igniters
Fireworks
Flash powder
Grenades
Rocket motors
Signal flares
Toy and starting pistol caps

Class 2 – Compressed gases

Aerosol products (hair sprays, inhalers)
Bear and dog spray
Camping stove and BBQ cylinders
Cigarette lighters
Cryogenic liquids (nitrogen, helium, and so on)
Cylinders of compressed gas (oxygen, air, acetylene, butane, propane, carbon dioxide, and so on)
Fire extinguishers
Mustard gas

Class 3 – Flammable liquids

Acetone (nail polish and remover)
Adhesives (glues)
Alcohols (butanol, methanol, ethanol, and so on)
Camping fuel
Cigarette lighter fuel
Essential oils (tea tree and eucalyptus oil)
Furniture stripper
Gasoline
Gasoline additives
Paints, enamels, lacquers, and so on
Perfume and shaving lotion
Petroleum products and kerosene
Thinners

Class 4 – Flammable substances

Charcoal
Fire starters
Flameless Ration Heaters (FRHs)
Fuel tablets
Matches
Metals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and sodium)
Moth balls
Oil impregnated fabrics

Class 5 – Oxidizers and organic peroxides

Ammonium nitrate products (fertilizer)
Bleaching powders
Disinfectants
Fibreglass repair kits
Hair and textile dyes
Hydrogen peroxide
Nitrates
Organic peroxides
Oxygen pellets
Pool chlorine and bromine

Class 6 – Toxic and infectious substances

**bleep**nic
Bacteria and viruses (hepatitis, HIV, and so on)
Chloroform
Disinfectants
Drugs and medicine
Fungicides
Herbicides
Infectious diagnostic specimens (blood samples)
Used needles and swabs

Class 7 – Radioactive materials

Measuring instruments
Medical isotopes
Smoke detectors

Class 8 – Corrosives

Acids (hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric, muriatic, and so on)
Battery acid
Caustic soda
Cleaners
Disinfectants
Drain openers
Dyes
Etching fluid
Fire extinguishers
Formaldehyde
Household bleaches
Mercury
Mercury thermometers and blood pressure gauges
Oven cleaners
Paint or varnish remover
Potassium hydroxide
Rust removers
Self Heating Beverages (SHBs)
Soda lime
Sodium hydroxide

Class 9 - Miscellaneous

Air bags
Asbestos
Carbon dioxide solids
Dry ice
Gas filled shock absorbers
Lithium batteries (with or without device)
Gasoline powered devices - even without gasoline (lawn mowers, chain saws, weed cutters, motorcycles, and so on)
Self-inflating life preservers
Strong magnets

dinomitesales

·1 year ago

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@brettjet38 wrote:
You CANNOT ship anything with a lithium-ion battery by AIR, PERIOD!

This isn't true, there are varying levels of regulations regarding the shipment of lithium batteries through Canada Post. For example, most cell phones or small electronics with lithium batteries (up to 4 cells) can be shipped domestically and to the United States via Air Mail provided the battery is installed in the device - doesn't even need a lithium battery mark label or anything.

It only becomes an issue if there are more than 4 cells, or your shipping batteries on their own or not installed in equipment, then it can't be sent by air mail anywhere (and only by surface domestically with the proper label).

And, as OP has realized, Canada Post doesn't allow the mailing of batteries to any international destination (excluding United States) via any methods (surface or air) based on aviation safety regulations and restrictions imposed by destination countries. Rather than deal with different rules for each country it's easier for Canada Post to simplify the process and just not allow battery shipments to anywhere but the United States.

You can read up on Canada Post's regulations here.

To OP: Look into couriers like UPS and FedEx as they usually have options that will fit your needs with regard to shipping hazardous goods. However, as you'll see, it's going to be a lot more expensive than what Canada Post will charge.

brettjet38

·1 year ago

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Some categories are just not worth listing in unless you are an expert or a long-time eBay user.

Before you list any item it is always best to see if it can easily be shipped out of the country and that you are covered fo the delivery times.