Shipping smartphone overseas from Canada

[mobilescanada]

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

[brettjet38]

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]

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

[john_koenig99]

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. 

[mrdutch1001]

"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.

[dinomitesales]

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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.

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

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. 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@mobilescanada 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

---

@mobilescanada 

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. 

[brettjet38]

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.