A practical guide for buyers and sellers moving lithium packs.
Shipping a robot battery isn't like shipping a book. Start with the pack's condition: only undamaged batteries in their original state-of-charge window should ship at all — swollen, punctured, or overheating packs must go to a recycler, never a carrier.
Use the original packaging if you have it; otherwise use a rigid outer box with the terminals protected (tape or terminal caps), the pack immobilized so it can't shift, and cushioning that prevents puncture. Label the package with the required lithium battery marks — your carrier can supply the current labels — and declare it as dangerous goods when booking.
For air freight, the 30% state-of-charge limit applies, and you'll need a dangerous-goods declaration. For ground, requirements are lighter but packaging and labeling still apply. When buying, ask the seller how they'll ship before you pay — a seller who can't answer is a seller to avoid. Regulations change: verify against the current IATA DGR and your carrier's rules.
No — postal services restrict or prohibit standalone lithium batteries. Use a carrier that accepts Class 9 dangerous goods and declare the shipment.
For air transport, 30% or less. For ground, partially charged is fine — but never ship a fully charged or fully depleted pack if you can avoid it.
The shipper. That's why proper declaration matters — an undeclared hazmat shipment creates serious legal exposure. When in doubt, use a hazmat-certified pack-and-ship service.