Frustrated and need help with battery shipping

[Tantalus]

Greetings - but I am under a time crunch and would appreciate some help from the forum:

I live in Sacramento and have decided to send my IZIP Vibe+ to my brother in Honolulu. I will send the bike (without battery) on Hawaiian Airlines in a bike box that I obtained from my LBS.

For the battery, I assumed that I would have to drain the battery, pack it accordingly, put some hazmat stickers on it - and then send it via USPS, UPS or Fedex. (I also called IZIP - and they sent me the MSDS for the battery in case I need it)

I have run into a absolute roadblock on shipping the battery.

I learned that USPS and UPS do not ship batteries to Hawaii. Can that be right? I was told that Fedex was my only option. I called their 800 number and was told to go to a big Fedex terminal, the only one that does hazmat shipments in Sacramento. I went there and was told that no one there had a clue what to do, but to call the 800 number (that I had already called)

Is it possible that I need to find someone who is an authorized hazmat shipper? If so, does anyone know such a shipper in Sacramento? I know there is an E-Bike dealer in Honolulu. I wonder how they send/receive batteries?



PS: I bought the bike from a Performance Bike Shop which is no help because they are in liquidation mode.

 

[Chopperbill]

I just received a battery from FedX, it came in a box about 10 times to big and was packed in the middle of some kind of fire retardant. However, it was shipped within the 48 states

 

[MarkF]

You need to call fedex hazmat shipping department. They can advise how to proceed. You will need the msds sheet and don't be surprised if it cost hundreds of dollars to ship.

 

[bob armani]

How about if you either go through a local E-bike shop to get assistance with shipment or call them and ask for simple guidance may work. Jumping through hoops with these incompetent people that work for these companies can be really frustrating. Sometimes it is all about getting the correct info from the right person. Roll the dice. Good Luck!

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

As Bob and Mark mentioned, getting a shop to help you with this would be lot more easier and helpful.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

bikeflights.com has a list of bike shops that are hazmat-certified and can pack your battery and ship it.

I'd make sure there was a shop in Hawaii that could do the same thing so you can get your batteries back.

 

[JRA]

Ravi would know better than I but I don’t believe draining the battery is at all part of the shipping equation. Battery integrity is reliant on all cells at the same voltage so I would think that a charged battery that has undergone cell balancing via the BMS would be safe to ship. If it is drained there is a chance any weak cell may become a risk.

Edit: guess I had that wrong as Mark f points out

 

[MarkF]

Shipping laws state the battery to be in a 30% state of charge. Previously it was a 50% soc and some dealers still ship at this level. The problem you're going to face is shipping out of states and over 25 volt. I can ship a 6s lipo using UPS or fedex ground in the lower 48. But at 7s or higher, you have to go through the hoops of msds sheets, hazardous waste and the rates go way up. Now add in your shipping over the ocean and it becomes an even bigger hassle with more cost.

 

[Tantalus]

No luck today on my quest to ship my battery to Hawaii.

First, I called a Trek store (company owned) that sells E Bikes, but both sales and service guys were clueless on the topic. Next, I called bikeflights.com and they told me there are NO hazmat certified bike shops in Sacramento area - but they gave me a name of an outfit in San Francisco, who I called but were closed and open by appointment only.

Next, I tried, Motostrano, a big EBike distributor in the bay area who said they cannot help me. (however, they can sell me a new battery for $600-700 and charge me $50 to ship it to Hawaii.

Finally, I called EBikes Hawaii, an IZIP dealer, who said they deal with a big ship cargo company, but they have an account, and I do not. They think my shipment would be too small for them to bother with. They can also sell me a new battery.

It seems that I need to find a certified hazmat shipper, who is willing to do a small shipment at a reasonable price or I may have to go to plan B and buy a new battery.

(I have called and visited Fedex several times, but I will try one more time tomorrow)

Here is my 2017 IZIP e3 Vibe+ - to be used on the new King Street bikeway in Honolulu someday soon, I hope!

 

[MarkF]

You have to call Fedex dangerous goods department. There number is 901-434-3200

 

[tomjasz]

When I worked for a very busy reseller we shipped by sea. Search for seagoing shippers. They don’t blow off small shipments, sadly a cant remember to company name. But this is solvable.

 

[Scooteretti]

Hello @Tantalus, shipping a lithium battery is not easy.

Each shipper needs to be certified and must have taken a certified course to ship lithium ion batteries. The shipper must also have a DG account set up with the shipping company prior to shipping (UPS, FEDEX etc.......). Each box must be properly identified with the correct labels and there will be a sign off sheet for the person who is trained and certified to sign off on. This person typically is also prequalified by the carriers and has submitted their training certificate to the shipping company. The shippers must also be retained on a regular basis. Once that person signs off on that form, they are now legally responsible for that shipment. So for people / companies who don’t ship batteries daily / weekly these costs and hassles become prohibitive to offer as a service.

Packing a lithium battery DG shipment requires a special box that’s been tested and certified, discharged to 30% or less, packed with approved packing material, sealed, labeled and shipped within international guidelines. This adds costs vs a typical non DG shipment + the freight companies add an additional handling fee.

There is ZERO tolerance now for shipping a battery by trying to sneak it through the system and more and more depots are scanning each package. failure to comply now is a serious violation which involves MOT and other departments. So don’t try to bypass the system.

There are companies at every major airport who are DG air certified packers. Simply ask to speak to the local FedEx station DG rep (typically works after 3pm local time as they inspect packages once they arrive at the station for that nights shipments) who can advise you of the names of the local shippers who can offer you this service. Cost should be around $300-$500 if I had to guess for packing and shipping. So not cheap.

If you were closer we could do this for you. Hope this helps.

Regards,


Will
Shop.scooteretti.com

 

[Tantalus]

Thanks everyone - What a reality check to be sure. Shipping a battery is not for the feint of heart. FedEx Dangerous Goods send me a list of Dangerous Goods (DG) packaging services for the USA. Only 5 in CA, but at least one is in San Ramon, 90 miles away. I will call them later. I have attached the PDF that Fedex DG sent me.

 

[AguassissiM]

@Tantalus
Wonder if you would be better off purchasing a new battery locally in Hawaii than shipping this one there. I would ask if anyone is looking for a second battery locally,you never know. Surely a lot less hassle and headaches.

 

[Tantalus]

Good idea, as it turns out because hazmat shipping price from Aeromarineworld is $550. Plus I would have to drive 90 miles to drop it off there.
I am now working on getting a price for a new battery from the Hawaii dealer.

 

[tomjasz]

Good idea, as it turns out because hazmat shipping price from Aeromarineworld is $550. Plus I would have to drive 90 miles to drop it off there.
I am now working on getting a price for a new battery from the Hawaii dealer.

EM3ev ships to Hawaii!

 

[Tantalus]

Where is EM3ev located? I cannot find a phone number to call. (how would I get my battery to EM3ev?)

 

[harryS]

EM3ev is a seller of ebike parts and batteries based in China. Thomas meant that you could purchase one of their batteries. Unless your bike uses a commonly available case, they might not be the right vendor, but their batteries are said to be well made.

 

[Big Tom]

It seems like it would be cheaper to get a battery sent to Hawaii from China or buy one there.
I was able to travel Southwest with 12V 7 ah lithium batteries that I ran in series to get 48V You can take up to the maximum CARRY ON limit. Once you get past TSA there are no other check points. Got mine from Dakota Lithium Batteries, they were NOT eBike batteries but have worked well. BTW I heard Southwest is opening Hawaii as of the first of the year.

 

[tomjasz]

Where is EM3ev located? I cannot find a phone number to call. (how would I get my battery to EM3ev?)

Google is your friend! EM3ev is a Irish owner living in China. Extremely well respected. He recently sent a battery to Maui.