Navigating the rules for mailing items with batteries can be tricky. If you’re wondering, “Can I Mail A Car Key Fob With Battery?”, you’re in the right place. As auto repair experts at keyfobx.com, we’ll break down the USPS guidelines for shipping car key fobs equipped with lithium batteries, ensuring you can send your key fob safely and compliantly.
Sending items internationally or to APO/FPO/DPO locations adds another layer of complexity. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific regulations for mailing lithium batteries, the type commonly found in car key fobs. These rules are in place to ensure safety during transit. Let’s clarify the USPS instructions based on official guidelines to help you understand the dos and don’ts of mailing your car key fob.
USPS Regulations for Mailing Lithium Batteries: What You Need to Know
The core of the issue lies in the type of battery within your car key fob – most modern key fobs use lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries. According to USPS Packaging Instruction 9E, the mailability of lithium batteries depends significantly on whether they are installed in equipment and the destination of your mail.
For international and APO/FPO/DPO shipping, the critical factor is that lithium batteries are generally mailable in limited quantities only when they are properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate. This is good news for those mailing car key fobs, as the battery is already installed within the fob.
This regulation explicitly covers both lithium metal (non-rechargeable) and lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries. The key takeaway is “properly installed in equipment.” A car key fob naturally meets this criterion, as the battery is designed to be inside the device for its operation.
Key Fobs and “Installed in Equipment” Rule
Car key fobs are considered “equipment” in this context. Therefore, when you mail a car key fob with its battery inside, it generally falls under the category of “lithium batteries properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate.” This is the most crucial point to ensure mailability, especially for international and military addresses.
However, there are still limitations on quantities and specific types of batteries. Let’s delve deeper into these restrictions to ensure your car key fob shipment adheres to all USPS requirements.
Quantity Limits and Battery Types for Key Fob Mailing
While mailing a car key fob with the battery installed is generally permissible, USPS sets limits on the quantity of batteries and the type (specifically regarding lithium content or watt-hour rating). These limitations are categorized based on whether they are “small” or “very small” consumer-type batteries.
For small, non-rechargeable, consumer-type lithium metal batteries (common in many older key fobs), when contained in equipment (like your key fob), the guidelines state:
- Mailable: Yes
- Mailpiece Battery Limit: Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries. (Since a key fob only uses one battery, this is typically not a concern for single key fob shipments).
For small, rechargeable, consumer-type lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries (common in newer key fobs), the rules are similar when contained in equipment:
- Mailable: Yes
- Mailpiece Battery Limit: Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries. Again, usually not an issue for a single key fob.
Crucially, the USPS also provides an exception for very small lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries. If your key fob uses a very small battery, these are also mailable when installed in equipment, with the same mailpiece limit of 4 cells or 2 batteries.
Important Note on Battery Size Limits:
To fall under these “small” or “very small” categories, the batteries must meet specific criteria:
- Small Lithium Metal Batteries: Each cell must not contain more than 1.0g of lithium content, and each battery not more than 2.0g aggregate lithium content.
- Small Lithium-ion Batteries: Each cell must not exceed 20Wh, and each battery must not exceed 100Wh.
- Very Small Lithium Metal Batteries: Each cell or battery must not exceed 0.3g of lithium content.
- Very Small Lithium-ion Batteries: Each cell or battery must not exceed a 2.7 Wh rating.
Generally, batteries in car key fobs fall well within these “small” or “very small” categories. However, if you are unsure, checking the battery specifications (often printed on the battery itself or the key fob documentation) is advisable.
International and APO/FPO/DPO Shipping Specifics
The rules discussed above primarily apply to international and APO/FPO/DPO destinations. It’s vital to remember these points for overseas shipping:
- Destination Country Acceptance: Lithium batteries must be accepted by the destination country. While this is usually not an issue for standard consumer batteries in devices, it’s a general condition.
- Department of Defense (DOD) Conditions: For APO/FPO/DPO addresses, shipments are also subject to DOD conditions. These are typically aligned with USPS regulations but it’s worth being aware of this additional layer.
- Prohibited Items: Used, damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries, and used, damaged, or defective electronic devices containing lithium batteries are strictly prohibited from international and APO/FPO/DPO mail under any circumstances. Ensure your key fob and battery are in good working condition and not recalled.
Mailing Car Key Fobs Domestically within the US
While the original USPS document focuses on international and APO/FPO/DPO shipping, domestic mailing of car key fobs with batteries within the United States is generally less restrictive. However, it’s always best practice to follow the same guidelines as much as possible for safety and compliance.
USPS generally permits the domestic mailing of lithium batteries when installed in equipment. While domestic regulations may be less stringent, adhering to the “installed in equipment” and quantity guidelines is a safe approach for all key fob mailings.
Best Practices for Mailing Your Car Key Fob
To ensure your car key fob reaches its destination without issues, follow these best practices:
- Keep the Battery Installed: Always mail the key fob with the battery properly installed inside. This is the primary condition for mailability.
- Proper Packaging: Package the key fob securely to prevent damage during transit. Use a sturdy box or padded envelope and cushioning material.
- Avoid Damaged Batteries/Fobs: Do not attempt to mail damaged, defective, or recalled key fobs or batteries, especially internationally or to APO/FPO/DPO addresses.
- Check Destination Restrictions: For international shipping, while generally permitted, it’s always wise to quickly check if the destination country has any specific restrictions on lithium batteries.
- Declare if Necessary: While not always required for small quantities of batteries installed in equipment, if you are mailing multiple key fobs or are unsure, consider declaring the package contents appropriately as containing “lithium batteries installed in equipment.”
Conclusion: Mailing a Car Key Fob with Battery is Usually Permitted
In conclusion, you can usually mail a car key fob with a battery via USPS, especially if it’s domestically or to international/APO/FPO/DPO locations, provided the battery is properly installed in the key fob (the equipment). Adhering to the guidelines about battery condition, quantity (typically not an issue for single key fobs), and proper packaging will ensure your shipment is compliant and reaches its destination without problems.
Always refer to the official USPS guidelines and regulations for the most up-to-date information, especially when shipping internationally or to military addresses. By understanding and following these rules, you can confidently mail your car key fob with its battery, knowing you’ve taken the necessary steps for safe and compliant shipping.
