Netherlands-based Spring Global Mail has launched a new postal service for sending lithium batteries to European destinations from the UK. The service offers a postal channel for manufacturers and retailers to deliver lithium batteries cost effectively through either standard or registered post.
The service applies to lithium batteries packaged with equipment or on their own, with a maximum weight of 2kg. Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods and have to travel through road line-haul not airmail.
Standard post destinations are Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland. Registered post deliveries are made to the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark and Luxembourg.
Paul Taylor, head of sales and marketing, Spring Global Mail UK, said, “The new service offers an expertise and a straightforward postal solution that removes the complications and barriers to
business that have existed until now for many senders wishing to transport lithium batteries.”
Nol van Fenema
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Jens-Th.Rueckert (Tuesday, 11 August 2015 10:23)
Well it seems that CargoForwarder as well as Spring not-so-global mail have homework and factchecking to do. While I do not know whether spring has been approved by the Dutch regulators for the carriage of so-called Excepted or "section II" Lithium batteries installed or packed with equipment, a clear fact is that Lithoum batteries on their own (no matter whether of the Lithium metal type, UN 3090 or of the Lithium - Ion variety, UN 3480) may NOT be transported within mail at all. This requirement comes from both UPU and ICAO and is adressed in subsection 2.4.2 of the IATA DGR 56.
The fact that Lithium batteries are shipped by mail on a regular basis (especially from auction platform sellers) should not be understood in any way that such practice is in compliance.
Freia Goederaad (Friday, 14 August 2015 14:47)
Dear Heiner,
Thank you for forwarding the comment to me. It’s good to learn that you have some critical readers amongst your audience. I have checked his statement with our Safety & Compliance Team, so please find our official response below:
Spring are -and have always been- compliant to international transportation regulations. The comment refers to regulations concerning air transport. And under these regulations the comment is correct. Transportation of lithium batteries on their own is not allowed. However, the shipment of lithium batteries from the UK to mainland Europe takes place via the road network. The transportation of these dangerous goods are fully compliant with the ADR specifications as stipulated under the Special Provisions 188.
We noticed that many of our customers struggle with proper packaging and shipment of these type of goods and that is why we offer our expertise. We want to ensure that they are compliant to international transportation regulations, and we want to ensure that their goods are delivered according to specification. In addition, this service is only offered to UK based companies on the basis of a contractual agreement. We do not offer this service to consumers or private auction platform sellers.
We take pride in the fact that we have been providing international mail, parcels and return solutions businesses for more than 15 years. We hold offices in 13 countries worldwide which allow us to combine our local expertise with a global distribution network. We always look for clever distribution solutions within the existing framework to ensure a sustainable growth of cross border (e-commerce) sales for our customers.
Best regards,
Freia Goederaad
Marketing & Communications Manager
Spring Global Mail
Part of PostNL International Market Solutions