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As any shipper knows, sending lithium ion batteries is a process. In addition to following specific packaging regulations, you also can only use ground transportation services such as USPS Parcel Select Ground and UPS Ground. However, not all batteries are such a pain to ship! Alkaline batteries, such as AA, AAA, C, and D batteries are technically. Therefore, USPS allows you to ship them without any restrictions.
USPS Deems AA, AAA, C, & D Alkaline Batteries as Non-Hazardous, and Doesn’t Restrict You from Shipping Them
We’ve got some good news for shippers sending batteries or battery-powered electronics. If the batteries included are alkaline, you don’t need to follow any special packaging or shipping processes! In case you were wondering, alkaline batteries refer to common household dry-cell batteries, like AA, AAA, C, and D sizes, to name a few.
The Postal Explorer section on Corrosives clearly states the following:
“Common household dry-cell batteries such as sizes AA, AAA, C, D, etc. are generally not regulated as hazardous materials and are therefore mailable.”
The above language is fancy shipping talk which basically translates to the word “yes;” you can ship AA batteries with USPS without any problems. Since USPS doesn’t restrict dry-cell batteries, you can use any of the following domestic USPS shipping services to send AA batteries (and batteries of other similar sizes):
- First Class Package
- Priority Mail
- Priority Mail Express
- Parcel Select Ground
What About Sending AA Batteries or AAA Batteries Internationally?
While USPS imposes no restrictions on shipping AA batteries domestically, you can’t send them (or any other alkaline battery) internationally. Here’s what USPS has to say about it, in the same section of the Postal Explorer on Corrosives:
“Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in international mail.”
Unfortunately, since USPS considers alkaline batteries (like AA, AAA, C, and D) as “nonspillable” batteries, you can only ship them within the United States and not internationally.
Last Updated:
MARK MITCHELL
Above you stated…
“Unfortunately, since USPS considers alkaline batteries (like AA, AAA, C, and D) as “nonspillable” batteries, you can only ship them within the United States and not internationally.”
This statement appears to be incorrect. The proper term is actually “Wet, Non-spillable” and Alkaline batteries are Dry Cell, not Wet Non-Spillable.
Read this… https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/batteries