Shipping Lithium-Battery Devices from Japan

Overview

Check the conditions for the item, destination and route you plan to use. Even when the general conditions are met, the shipping method shown when the order is created and the item review result control. For Special Express, submit complete product and battery details for review.

View Special Express shipping details

For equipment with a lithium battery installed or built in, first check the standard conditions below. Final availability still depends on the destination, item condition and current service acceptance.

• The lithium battery is correctly installed in or built into the equipment and remains with the equipment during transport.
• Lithium-ion or lithium-polymer: cell no more than 20Wh; battery no more than 100Wh with the Wh rating marked on the casing.
• Lithium metal or alloy: cell lithium content no more than 1g; battery no more than 2g.
• Per international mail item: no more than 4 cells or no more than 2 batteries.
• Battery weight no more than 5kg and the battery type meets UN 38.3 test requirements.
• Equipment is switched off and protected against accidental activation; batteries are protected against damage and short circuit; outer packing is strong enough.
• The destination does not restrict import of that battery and the currently selected shipping method accepts the item.

In the following cases, Japan Post air transport cannot be used. Please ask JChere for details on currently available shipping methods.

• A lithium battery sent by itself.
• A spare or replacement battery packed with equipment but not installed in it.
• A power bank, which is itself a standalone battery used to supply power to other equipment.
• Exceeding 20Wh/100Wh, 1g/2g, 4 cells/2 batteries, or the 5kg battery-weight limit.
• A damaged, swollen, leaking, overheated, recalled or defective battery, or one capable of dangerous heat, fire or short circuit.
• The model, label, Wh or lithium content cannot be verified, or the destination/selected postal service is not currently accepted.

An installed lithium button cell is treated differently under some transport rules. Qualifying watches, rice cookers and desktop computers can be checked against the shipping methods currently available. Destination and current carrier acceptance still need confirmation.

• It must be a round button-shaped cell whose diameter is greater than its height and it must be installed in equipment.
• The equipment and packing must still be safe and the destination must not restrict import.
• Ordinary removable camera batteries, spare batteries and power banks are not covered by this exception.

Special Express uses a review process separate from standard shipping methods. Some items that are difficult for ordinary routes may be reviewed when the battery is installed in or built into the equipment.

• Common examples include qualifying Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, wireless-earbud, game-console, controller and camera products.
• Provide the complete model, battery quantity, Wh or manufacturer specifications, and declare every battery-containing component accurately.
• Maximum 30kg including volumetric weight and longest side 120cm; the heavier of actual and volumetric weight applies.
• Lithium-battery declaration fee is JPY 1,200 and shipping insurance is required.
• The shipping method shown when creating the forwarding order, destination and physical item review are final.

Special Express acceptance is reviewed according to the product model, battery quantity, Wh, condition, destination and routes available at order time. If one shipping method is not suitable, that does not mean another method will necessarily accept the item.

• Standalone batteries, uninstalled spare or replacement batteries and power banks cannot use Japan Post air transport. Ask JChere about other currently available options.
• Approval cannot be guaranteed when the label, full model, Wh, quantity or battery condition cannot be verified.
• Damaged, swollen, leaking, overheated, recalled or defective batteries cannot be handled as ordinary shipments.
• Over 30kg including volumetric weight or over 120cm on the longest side requires review for Super Big or another option.
• The same product type can still be rejected when the destination, current route, customs or carrier rules do not accept it.

Count the cells or batteries in each device and apply the relevant capacity, quantity and safety conditions separately. For Special Express, submit complete details and wait for review.

• Nintendo Switch: usually equipment with an installed or built-in battery. After the general capacity, quantity, packing and destination conditions are met, use the shipping methods currently shown when the order is created. Special Express may also be requested but still requires review.
• Camera: an installed camera battery may be assessed under the standard conditions; an uninstalled spare cannot use Japan Post air transport. Please ask JChere for details.
• Wireless earbuds: the left earbud, right earbud and charging case may each contain batteries, so confirm the total count as cells or batteries.
• Power bank: Japan Post air transport cannot be used. Special Express eligibility also cannot be assumed, so please ask JChere for details.

For lithium-ion batteries, calculate Wh as voltage V × capacity Ah. Divide mAh by 1000 first. A 3.7V, 5000mAh battery is about 18.5Wh. Use the battery label or manufacturer specification as the final source.

• Provide the product URL, brand, full model and intended use.
• Provide battery-label photos, V, Ah or mAh, Wh and battery quantity.
• State whether the battery is installed/built in, removable, or accompanied by spares.
• State the destination country or region and whether you want a currently displayed shipping method or Special Express.
• When uncertain, use the “Contact JChere” link on this page instead of deciding from the product name alone.