Sending laptops through an post?

kop1121

Heya, i don't know if i am posting this in the correct section, but wondering if anyone knows if you are allowed post laptops overseas to South America from an post? I know is not allowed any corrosive materials or liquids etc, would the laptop be considered prohibited? I checked the prohibited list on an post website but no mention of laptops. Just wondering if anyone has experience of sending laptops or anyone who could help. I would greatly appreciate it.

Kind regards.

NomadicGray

Definitely the right place to post it, helpful answers soon

Woshy

Isn't there something about not being able to send batteries via the post? I'm sure I saw a thread in the Consumer Issues forum

Bobby Baccala

If it's a really expensive one just post it to me and I'll take care of the rest

SpaceTime

You might be better off using one of the freight companies. An Post can be weird about batteries.

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/Prohibited+items.htm

"Batteries including lithium-ion batteries (individually or as part of an electric device)"

Sheep Lover

Will it fit through the letterbox though?

Fr_Dougal

Will there be cocaine hidden in it?

dxhound2005

SpaceTime wrote: »

You might be better off using one of the freight companies. An Post can be weird about batteries.

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/Prohibited+items.htm

"Batteries including lithium-ion batteries (individually or as part of an electric device)"

International airlines are the weird ones. An Post have to enforce their regulations about batteries. Something about planes going on fire.

N64

You aren't allowed to send any items with lithium ion batteries through anpost. You are going to have to use a courier such as DHL express, UPS, etc.

SpaceTime

dxhound2005 wrote: »

International airlines are the weird ones. An Post have to enforce their regulations about batteries. Something about planes going on fire.

It doesn't really do much for An Post's business though as it just puts loads of business into DHL, FedEx, TNT, UPS etc etc.

They'd be better off having a relationship with a proper freight forwarding company that can handle this stuff.

dxhound2005

N64 wrote: »

You aren't allowed to send any items with lithium ion batteries through anpost. You are going to have to use a courier such as DHL express, UPS, etc.

An Post is the carrier for DHL in this country. Airlines prohibit batteries in cargo regardless of where it originates.

dxhound2005

SpaceTime wrote: »

It doesn't really do much for An Post's business though as it just puts loads of business into DHL, FedEx, TNT, UPS etc etc.

They'd be better off having a relationship with a proper freight forwarding company that can handle this stuff.

An Post has a relationship with DHL. You cannot send something by DHL which has batteries in it. You cannot put anything on an aircraft with batteries in it.

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/International+Courier+Service/

SpaceTime

It's not true that they don't accept them but they do apply a lot of rules and regulations and do not accept damaged batteries. Also, there's a big difference between Lithium metal batteries (non rechargeable) which cannot be extinguished by an aircraft's halon fire extinguisher and Lithium Ion (rechargeable and found in most devices) which can.

http://www.dhl.ie/content/dam/downloads/g0/express/shipping/lithium_batteries/lithium_batteries_interactive_tool.pdf

http://www.dhl.ie/en/express/shipping/shipping_advice/lithium_batteries.html#overview

The problem is that An Post's regular mails service may send items on passenger aircraft in the cargo hold with letters.

If you're sending by DHL, it's handled by a proper air freight service, not mixed in with letters.

Sh1tbag OToole

You are allowed to send them but might be better off using parcel2go dot ie

UCDVet

Last month I returned an expensive tablet to Amazon via AnPost.

Amazon never received it. Thankfully, when I called them up, they were able to see the tracking information and, since I'd returned it, they still honoured my refund. But I wouldn't expect for them to ever receive it. It's either been hopelessly lost or pocketed by a worker.

dxhound2005

SpaceTime wrote: »

It's not true that they don't accept them but they do apply a lot of rules and regulations and do not accept damaged batteries. Also, there's a big difference between Lithium metal batteries (non rechargeable) which cannot be extinguished by an aircraft's halon fire extinguisher and Lithium Ion (rechargeable and found in most devices) which can.

http://www.dhl.ie/content/dam/downloads/g0/express/shipping/lithium_batteries/lithium_batteries_interactive_tool.pdf

http://www.dhl.ie/en/express/shipping/shipping_advice/lithium_batteries.html#overview

The problem is that An Post's regular mails service may send items on passenger aircraft in the cargo hold with letters.

If you're sending by DHL, it's handled by a proper air freight service, not mixed in with letters.

I don't understand. DHL have appointed An Post as an agent to accept international courier items. DHL vehicles take the items from Post Offices to combine with items accepted at their own depots for onward transmission. Why would DHL then put those items in with letter mails?

And if this item is going to say Ecuador or Paraguay by DHL how do you know how it is going to be transported after it leaves Ireland?

El Weirdo

dxhound2005 wrote: »

An Post has a relationship with DHL.

Strangely/disturbingly turned on by this statement.

SpaceTime

dxhound2005 wrote: »

[/B]

I don't understand. DHL have appointed An Post as an agent to accept international courier items. DHL vehicles take the items from Post Offices to combine with items accepted at their own depots for onward transmission. Why would DHL then put those items in with letter mails?

And if this item is going to say Ecuador or Paraguay by DHL how do you know how it is going to be transported after it leaves Ireland?

That's not what I said.

An post's normal mail service is not DHL.
They market DHL as "international courier post"

The normal post/package service is handled by other postal companies once it goes outside Ireland. They're two completely different products.

For a laptop you're better off dealing directly with an international operator directly do they can advise you on what's accepted and what isn't.

N64

dxhound2005 wrote: »

An Post is the carrier for DHL in this country. Airlines prohibit batteries in cargo regardless of where it originates.

Nonsense. DHL Express may have a partnership with AnPost (post below yours linked to the services terms and conditions) however if you book with DHL Express directly, you can send lithium ion batteries. The same with UPS, FedEX, etc. DHL Express are completely separate to anpost operating their own planes and delivery trucks. I think you may be confusing the non express DHL which is the German post office basically.

The reason why AnPost don't accept batteries on international mail is that nearly everything sent out of this country flies aboard commercial (passenger) aircraft in the cargo hold.

kop1121

Ok thanks for all the reply's guys, really appreciate it. I will check out all of your links and check out DHL tomorrow.

El Weirdo

kop1121 wrote: »

Ok thanks for all the reply's guys, really appreciate it. I will check out all of your links and check out DHL tomorrow.

Whoah, whoah, whoah!

Let's not end this before we hear more about this An Post/DHL thang...

kop1121

El Weirdo wrote: »

Whoah, whoah, whoah!

Let's not end this before we hear more about this An Post/DHL thang...

Haha fair enough buddy. I am intrigued myself of this relationship between the two.

SpaceTime

An Post mail and packages service (Normal Post) has a lot more restrictions because it may travel in passenger aircraft.

DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT etc are full freight networks. An Post act as an agent for DHL for one specific product line only. It's not the same as their own packages services which just use the same network as the letter post service and therefore have a lot more restrictions on international freight.

You pay way more for the DHL product than their own package service!

You can post things nationally though as they just go by truck and van.

It's not that complicated

ProfessorPlum

dxhound2005 wrote: »

An Post is the carrier for DHL in this country. Airlines prohibit batteries in cargo regardless of where it originates.

They don't actually, but they are carried under IATA 'dangerous goods' regulations and subject to very strict controls, including quantity and packaging regulations (when shipped as cargo - if it's in your luggage you can just chuck it in any old way, but I'd strongly advise packing it carefully and making sure that the battery is undamaged - otherwise it might go on fire leading to fairly catastrophic outcomes)

cloud493

If you do send with an post, go with postage tracking option, even if its more expensive. Had more than a few things go missing in the past.

El Weirdo

SpaceTime wrote: »

An Post mail and packages service (Normal Post) has a lot more restrictions because it may travel in passenger aircraft.

DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT etc are full freight networks. An Post act as an agent for DHL for one specific product line only. It's not the same as their own packages services which just use the same network as the letter post service and therefore have a lot more restrictions on international freight.

You pay way more for the DHL product than their own package service!

You can post things nationally though as they just go by truck and van.

It's not that complicated

ProfessorPlum wrote: »

They don't actually, but they are carried under IATA 'dangerous goods' regulations and subject to very strict controls, including quantity and packaging regulations (when shipped as cargo - if it's in your luggage you can just chuck it in any old way, but I'd strongly advise packing it carefully and making sure that the battery is undamaged - otherwise it might go on fire leading to fairly catastrophic outcomes)

That's the spirit.

SpaceTime

El Weirdo wrote: »

That's the spirit.

Now I know where you get your name!

Capt'n Midnight

kop1121 wrote: »

Heya, i don't know if i am posting this in the correct section, but wondering if anyone knows if you are allowed post laptops overseas to South America from an post?

UCDVet wrote: »

Last month I returned an expensive tablet to Amazon via AnPost.

Is that Amazon in Ireland or South America ?

bjork

Get you friends in south america to fly over with a homing pigeon.

Strap the laptop to the pigeon
Wait
Profit

kop1121

bjork wrote: »

Get you friends in south america to fly over with a homing pigeon.

Strap the laptop to the pigeon
Wait
Profit

Haha i like this

Just an update guys. I rang DHL today, and is possible send Laptops including batteries over to South America. They need to check the contents of the package before signing off on it. Then you need prepare an invoice to send and the recipient needs to cal the DHL depot in South America and confirm you are getting the laptop, something as that. Is a bit complicated. But thanks for all the help guys all the replies soo fast. Some very funny comments too

bipedalhumanoid

dxhound2005 wrote: »

International airlines are the weird ones. An Post have to enforce their regulations about batteries. Something about planes going on fire.

That's complete BS. An Post is the only postal service in the developed world that will not handle batteries and liquids. You can even drive over the border to Newry and send batteries and liquids through Royal Mail. You can go to Amazon and have mobile phone batteries sent from the USA, UK or Germany through the standard mail systems in those countries. You can order bottles of wine from New Zealand and have them sent here too.

An Post's explanation for this doesn't add up.

Badly Drunk Boy

dxhound2005 wrote: »

An Post has a relationship with DHL. You cannot send something by DHL which has batteries in it. You cannot put anything on an aircraft with batteries in it.

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/International+Courier+Service/

I bought a couple of lithium ion batteries on eBay last week, and my friendly An Post postman delivered them to me yesterday. I'm sure he didn't know what they were, or else he would have had them destroyed.

bipedalhumanoid

Badly Drunk Boy wrote: »

I bought a couple of lithium ion batteries on eBay last week, and my friendly An Post postman delivered them to me yesterday. I'm sure he didn't know what they were, or else he would have had them destroyed.

Why wouldn't they? It's already in Ireland when An Post receive it. They don't have a problem with delivering batteries locally, they just won't deliver them overseas.

Also, the contents of your package would be clearly written on the customs declaration. All An Post would need to do to know what is in it is read the declaration sticker.

Maximus Alexander

Zombies go bump in the night. Or in the middle of the day as the case may be.

Ted111

I would put the laptop in a cardboard box and write in marker on the box - "this is not a laptop computer containing a lithium battery"

You can also put - "do not open to check!

Vic_08

bipedalhumanoid wrote: »

That's complete BS. An Post is the only postal service in the developed world that will not handle batteries and liquids. You can even drive over the border to Newry and send batteries and liquids through Royal Mail. You can go to Amazon and have mobile phone batteries sent from the USA, UK or Germany through the standard mail systems in those countries. You can order bottles of wine from New Zealand and have them sent here too.

An Post's explanation for this doesn't add up.

A cargo plane crashed in Dubai due to a fire in a consignment of lithium batteries.

The major cargo handlers have upgraded their containers to contain such a fire but restrictions still apply to commercial cargo shipped on passenger flights.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPS_Airlines_Flight_6

bonzodog2

bipedalhumanoid wrote: »

That's complete BS. An Post is the only postal service in the developed world that will not handle batteries and liquids. You can even drive over the border to Newry and send batteries and liquids through Royal Mail. You can go to Amazon and have mobile phone batteries sent from the USA, UK or Germany through the standard mail systems in those countries. You can order bottles of wine from New Zealand and have them sent here too.

An Post's explanation for this doesn't add up.

A couple of years back I had bought a laptop battery and I needed to return it to UK seller. AnPost refused it so I brought it with me as I was going there (by bus) anyway. I brought it to the PO there and asked, assistant 'had to go and check', then accepted it, but apparently if I'd been a few days later they wouldn't have taken it even for an inland delivery.