Are AAA batteries considered Hazardous Material?

#1

Hi,

Are Alkaline (AA,AAA) considered Hazardous Materials? I am trying to convert my PL product which includes 3 standard Alkaline AAA batteries from Merchant to FBA but when going through the process on Seller Central, Amazon ask if these batteries are considered Hazardous? It gives you the option to say either yes, no or not sure. I would have thought it was only Lithium batteries that were considered hazardous but do not want to make a mistake filling out this form as it will delay the whole process. Does anyone on here have experience with this?
Thanks.

#2

Not sure about “hazardous,” but Royal Mail considers them “dangerous,” and specifies certain restrictions (ie, only new batteries may be sent, and they must be properly packaged. Li-ion batteries, meanwhile, may not be sent within the UK unless they’re in a device, and may not be sent internationally whether in a device, or not.

So, there’s clearly a distinction between the two types of battery.

#3

real world - NO.

Amazon and many carriers consider them as such. From their viewpoint they stand to lose a great deal more than a few batteries if it all gets a little hot in the warehouse.

Saying that, I’m finding so many things classed as Hazmat even without batteries, liquid or anything else in them.

#4

Standard dry alkaline batteries are considered as non-hazardous. Only mercury containing dry alkaline batteries would be hazardous. Standard AA, AAA batteries containing manganese dioxide and sodium hydroxide are dry filled and so do not come under the transport regs as dangerous for transport (wet filled batteries such as lead acid do), but postal services do have their own rules.

To check the specifics of your batteries you need to ask the company who manufactures them to send you a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Ask for a copy from the last few years as the regulation have changed so an older version will not have the required information on it. The document can be used to prove to Amazon that the batteries have no hazardous properties should they require you to do so.

#5

You will find that Amazon classify all sorts of products as hazardous and not acceptable for FBA, whilst at the same time selling the exact same products themselves and storing and delivering them FBA.
One law for merchants, another for Amazon Retail.

#6

Thanks for the replies!

#7

Sorry, that’s not true. Lithium-based batteries (cells in general) are dangerous, esp. when mistreated (like: the usual postal handling) or sent by plane (really, they can leak out due to pressure difference and then catch fire).
Even a single cell can cause an amazing fire - Youtube will have plenty of fire/explosion videos for you.

#8

There’s certainly no shortage of Lithium Batteries available for sale on Amazon:

>1-16 of 145,539 results for “Lithium Batteries”

I’ve bought a few myself - just delivered via normal large letter, as I remember though all originated in China.

One I bought integrated into a torch had chemical residue leaking out of the battery after a couple of hours of usage, so I can see why they are classed as hazardous

#9

Hi

If the batteries are Lithium Batteries then they are classed as dangerous goods aka hazardous. Royal mail prohibit any shipping of Lithium Batteries due to them being classed as dangerous goods. If you was to look at an MSDS sheet of a product, ie oil, fuel additive or Lithium Batteries.

Under section 14 it will give you a un number which would identify what type of dangerous goods they are, along with its hazard class and packing group and what the UN number is for each type of transportation.

ADR = Road and Rail
IATA = Air Transport
IMDG = Sea Transport

When it comes to Lithium Batteries or batteries in general, ask your self why when buying products that require batteries they are 9 times out of 10 not included as shipping them is not easy.

In regards to AAA batteries if they are Alkaline then they are non dangerous goods.

I hope this helps

Kind Regards

PE Team

Edited by: Powerenhancer on Jan 8, 2018 3:31 PM

#10

In our world NO but in other people’s worlds yes, the only Batteries that are a real hazard are the ones found in cars, trucks and buses otherwise most are just small power packs, however, we must oblige by the rules or we will be dethroned for not abiding by the rules, that is just how it is with Royal Mail or on Amazon, nothing we can do about it other than make a decision that is your own and no one else’s if you know what I mean.

#11

I have received orders from Amazon itself with batteries included (but packed separate in original sealed pack) and my understanding is that on standard AA,AAA type batteries, you can’t post them if fitted in the item, but can send them with the item provided they are new in sealed pack and packed separate within the package.

Getting clarity on the subject may be a challenge?

#12

Like replying to threads about subjects you say you have no interest in

#13

Oh sorry DPS I don’t waste my time on U-Tube have to much other stuff to do, like working for a living, as for Batteries not really my cup of tea would sooner watch pain dry.

closed #14

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