carsonkev Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Just sold a little 10th scale car with a lipo now is it safe to send in the post I know there's been some changes in the postal services Is there a Carrier that will accept lipos Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shudson Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Post Office will ask if it has batteries and, if it has, refuse it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I sent a car with a lipo in it via ups and it arrived alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitroholic Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 The answer depends on the question... 1) Is it permissable to send LiPos with the car .... Answer. No for most carriers. Royal Mail specifically exclude it, and that is why the Post Offices ask and then refuse. You can send batteries if htey are incorporated as part of the device...but that does not apply to RC cars. It applies to phones, tablets etc. where the batteries cannot easily be taken out. If the carriers terms and conditions allow you to send LiPos then it is fine. If they do not, and you do not disclose the facts, you can be in a lot of bother. The carrier may well have the right to destroy the item, and you get no compensation. Royal Mail specifically state that. You are deemed to have agreed to the carriers T&Cs by posting, so read them if you are in any doubt. 2) Can you send them.... Well, of course you can. Just so long as you don't get caught. Domestic mail isn;t routinely x-rayed or inspected, so the chances are nothing bad will happen. People point out HobbyKing send out LiPos via Royal Mail, when they shouldn't. As long as it doesn't get 'noticed' and nothing bad happens, all is well. You are going to get asked about the contents, and it's between you and your conscience what reply you give. Just be aware of where you stand if you either get found out, or your LiPo gets damaged in transit and vents in the back of some couriers van..... Losing your package may not be the only problem you face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johninderby Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) Yes you have to check with the carrier first before shipping LiPos as more and more of them are refusing to carry them. Actually Royal Mail will ship LiPos, but only brand new ones from companies that have a contract with Royal Mail and have made an arrangement with them. Can't do it through a regular post office. John Edited August 7, 2014 by johninderby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4eyes Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I used the post office to send a buggy with a lipo in it. I told them it was there and they said no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz! Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 i have posted a few cars with lipos in and all they ask is, is it secured as it should be, ie like a battery on a laptop or mobile etc. if its fitted into its correct place then its fine but they do mark it as having lithium batteries included. dont know if its different elsewhere but thats my local post office and coming direct from the post master there....... BUT, always be honest as if would be expensive if the car got caught and you were out of pocket at the end of it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johninderby Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) Either you came across someone who didn't know the regulations or perhaps didn't realise what a LiPo was as it is explicitly stated in the Royal Mail regulations that the post office counter staff are not permitted to accept a LiPo battery packed with something like an RC even if it is fitted inside the car. Every time I've mailed an RC car they ask if there are any batteries packed inside and will refuse to accept it if there are. John Edited August 7, 2014 by johninderby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsonkev Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Thanks for the help I've messaged the buyer and im giving him a partial Refund and sending it minus the battery cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johninderby Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) It's one of those you'd probably get away with it 99.99% of the time things but still in the very unlikely event something did go wrong you would be held responsible. In future I just won't sell a car with a LiPo. I had the same situation recently when I sold a car but ended up ordering a LiPo from HobbyKing and having them send it direct to the buyer. Cost me a few quid extra but the peace of mind was worth it. John Edited August 7, 2014 by johninderby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadsavage Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 yes you can send a lipo with the post office as long as its attached in some way to what your sending just done this with a e revo brushless and no probs and that was 4 2s lipos (i only said 1 lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johninderby Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 While the regs state a LiPo can be sent with an electronic device an RC car is not considered an electronic device and so LiPos aren't legal to ship with it. However if your local post office doesn't understand the regs properly they may very well let you ship a LiPo with an RC. They shouldn't and it would be interesting to see who would be liable if something did happen. John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AcousticNRG Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 i send lipos all the time with royal mail , when they ask what it is i just say a car part etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 There are those who do and those who don't, same as pretty much everything, from marzipan, through marmite, plum tomatoes, quorn and chocolate covered ants to fat girls and fishing! The law is the law (except in MegaCity 1, where of course Dredd is the law)! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lel-95 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I sold an RC with a tiny single cell 300mah lipo and it got destroyed. This was when Royal Mail first introduced their restrictions and I didn't know about it at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitroholic Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 yes you can send a lipo with the post office as long as its attached in some way to what your sending just done this with a e revo brushless and no probs and that was 4 2s lipos (i only said 1 lol) You most certainly CANNOT legally send a LiPo like that. The Post Office are not the carrier, and have been given very clear guidance on what they can accept, but are ignoring it. This is potentially bad for them, and potentially bad for the sender. If your package is destroyed....what are you going to do? Will the Post Office put their hand up and admit they got it wrong? People also need to realise that Post Office Ltd are not the same company as Royal Mail. There are contractual links only. They are basically just selling a product, and by accepting items listed as danerous goods, they are miss-selling it. They should only accept LiPos that are fully enclosed in an electronic device, not ones held in by a velcro strap..... I've read the briefing material they had.....and it's wording was quite specific. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjimknickers Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I can just imagine the courier kicking the parcel, ace Ventura style, then it exploding! I wish I'd sent one with my losi 8T that got stolen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.