Shipping Lithium-Battery Devices from Japan

Overview

Check the conditions for the route you plan to use. When every Japan Post condition is met, EMS, air or sea mail may be selected. For Special Express, submit complete product and battery details for review.

View Special Express shipping details

Equipment containing a lithium battery can use Japan Post international mail only when every condition below is met. Meeting one condition is not enough.

• 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 currently accepts the selected EMS, air or sea service.

Any one of the following makes the item ineligible under the Japan Post lithium-battery rules above.

• 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 not treated as air dangerous goods. Qualifying watches, rice cookers and desktop computers may be sent by air or sea. EMS is air transport, so destination and current service acceptance still need checking.

• 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 Japan Post. Some items that are difficult for ordinary postal 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. Rejection by Japan Post does not mean Special Express will accept the item.

• Standalone batteries, uninstalled spare or replacement batteries and power banks cannot be judged in the same way as equipment with installed or built-in batteries; ask first.
• 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 Japan Post standard separately. For Special Express, submit complete details and wait for review.

• Nintendo Switch: usually equipment with an installed or built-in battery. If all Japan Post limits are met, postal routes may be considered; Special Express may also be requested but still requires review.
• Camera: an installed camera battery may be assessed, but an uninstalled spare cannot use the Japan Post rule. Ask whether another option exists.
• 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: not accepted by Japan Post. Special Express eligibility also cannot be assumed, so ask before buying.

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 hope to use Japan Post or Special Express.
• When uncertain, use the “Contact JChere” link on this page instead of deciding from the product name alone.