> I've since found a good overview on shipping for all types of batteries h=
ere, with
> pictures:-

> http://fedex.com/us/services/pdf/PKG_ShippingBatteries.pdf

Thanks. Useful, maybe.
The last section tells me what Fedex require I do with batteries in
equipment. BUT they do not follow their own rules.

I recently sent 3 multimeters via Fedex including batteries..
I told them that they were in the package and they took a meter to
show their "packaging" expert.
They insisted that I remove the batteries from the meters and tape the
battery terminals.
They were not at all particular re how secure the .taping should be as
long as I did it - I did it in their offices and they actually
commented that what I was doing was unnecessary. ie they had no
conception that as originally supplied in the DMMs the batteries were
liable to be far safer than with a single small piece of tape across
the terminals.

I was recently sent 3 x NimHAA cells for evaluation - sent from China
via Fedex .
They sent them in a video game toy - apparently their rules with Fedex
allow this but not sending of loose batteries.
The terminals were not, of course, taped.

I recently received a batch of products from elsewhere in China , also
via Fedex. I modified these and sent them to the US.
Each product contained 3 x NimH AA batteries (different to the ones
above). Not, of course, taped.
I asked Fedex about sending them with batteries to the US as they had
been received from China via Fedex with batteries. They said I'd need
proper certification. I asked the Chinese senders and they provided me
with a Chinese test house report which they use with their shipments
(but which they had not told me about even though they knew I was
onsending the products. Fedex accepted the test-house report. I have
no idea of its bona fides or of their competence, and neither did
Fedex, but as long as you have the right paper it seems OK - and no
amount of sensible precautions will save you if the rules require you
to do something less.

All this is understandable, and I know how hard it is to do
differently, and I know that they can't just accept the word of any
Tom, Dick or
 Russell that their rules are silly and that my way is better. BUT,
it's still very annoying.


        Russell McMahon
--=20
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