U.S. Post Office Bans Shipment Abroad of Devices with Lithium Batteries

Due to the recent international and domestic terrorist threats, as of May 16th the United States Postal Service has prohibited outbound international mailing of lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries and devices containing lithium batteries.

Simply said, anyone sending an electronic device (cell phones, cameras, laptop computers, tablets, etc ...) containing a removable lithium battery must remove the lithium battery before mailing it to any international destination.

Electronic equipment with non-removable lithium batteries may not be sent by international or military mail.

Don't fret though, FedEx, DHL, and UPS have not implemented this rule as of yet. It is anticipated that the USPS ban will be lifted by January of 2013.