Shipping Battery-Powered Gifts This Christmas? Here’s What You Need to Know

With Christmas fast approaching, many of you will be getting gifts ready to send to family and friends. From electronic toys and gadgets to cordless power tools and hoverboards, battery-powered items are likely to feature in many holiday shipments. Before dropping off these items at our warehouse, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the applicable shipping requirements to help ensure your cargo is properly prepared for its journey to the final destination.

Why Is Battery Documentation Important?

While batteries power many of the items we use every day, certain types, particularly lithium batteries, are classified as dangerous goods because they can pose a fire risk if damaged, improperly packaged or handled incorrectly.

For this reason, specific shipping requirements may apply to battery-powered products. Depending on the item, we require a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), also known as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), a UN38.3 Battery Test Summary (for lithium batteries) or other relevant battery documentation to help us identify the battery type and determine the applicable requirements before accepting your shipment.

What Items Should You Look Out For?

If you’re planning to ship any of the following items this Christmas, be sure to check with us before sending them to our warehouse:

• Toys and children’s gifts: Remote-controlled cars, rechargeable toys and other battery-operated play items.
• Power tools: Cordless drills, electric screwdrivers and rechargeable tool sets.
• Electronics and gadgets: Tablets, cameras, smart devices and other battery-powered equipment.
• Hoverboards and similar products: These commonly contain lithium batteries and may be subject to additional shipping restrictions and documentation requirements.

Please note that shipping requirements vary depending on the battery type, how it is packed and the mode of transport. Not all battery-powered items are subject to the same requirements.

What Do You Need to Do Before Shipping?

To help us prepare your shipment for transportation, here are a few important steps to follow:

1. Identify battery-powered items- Let us know if it contains batteries or battery-operated products.

2. Obtain the necessary documentation- Contact your supplier or manufacturer to request the applicable MSDS/SDS , a UN38.3 Battery Test Summary (for lithium batteries) and any other battery specifications that may be required.

3. Check with us before sending your items-Contact our team to confirm the documentation and shipping requirements applicable to your shipment before delivering it to our warehouse.

4. Allow time for verification- Providing the necessary information in advance gives us time to assess your shipment and helps minimize the risk of avoidable delays.

Please do not assume that every battery-powered item can be shipped without prior approval. Some battery-powered items have specific shipping requirements and airlines or shipping lines may refuse to transport them if the necessary documentation or conditions are not met.

Let’s Get Your Christmas Shipments Ready!

We understand how important it is to get your gifts to their destinations in time for Christmas. By checking the requirements ahead of time and ensuring the necessary documentation is available, you can help us prepare your cargo for a smoother shipping process.

At CCA, we’re here to guide you through the process and help you understand what’s needed before your shipment begins its journey.

Planning to ship toys, electronics, power tools or other battery-powered gifts this Christmas?

Contact our team before dropping them off at our warehouse to confirm the applicable shipping requirements.

A little preparation goes a long way in helping your Christmas cargo reach its destination safely and on time.