If you are a shipper lithium cells or batteries in commerce you are likely aware of the current regulations applicable to their transport in commerce:

• Transportation solely within the U.S. (domestic) by all modes (highway, rail, vessel, & air) subject to the Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR) of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the USDOT (PHMSA/USDOT).
• International transportation by vessel subject to the regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
• Domestic and international transportation by air subject to the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Administration (ICAO) but, more practically, those of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which is used by the majority of the worlds air carriers.
• Domestic and international transportation with the U.S. Mail subject to the standards of the United States Postal Service (USPS).

The purpose of this article is to identify what are currently (as of 07.31.17) proposed revisions to the mailing standards of the USPS.

Note:  Unless specifically referenced, for the purposes of this article the term “battery” or “batteries” should be assumed to include “cell” or “cells”.

(more…)