have received two separate packages with lipos in them in the last 2 weeks and neither one has had a damn thing on the box that said what it contained.

I had to return a couple Lipos to SMC and used USPS. I told them that the box contained Lipos and they accepted it but it can only be shipped by ground, not air.

The package took three days to reach SMC from the Midwest. No problems.

Same and I've used USPS too. I've told both what they were and all they said is that they had to go ground.

you think i should try and get them back?they were sent ground in a sm flat rate box

We ship USPS all the time. Many packages large and small every day. They are by far the best service for the money, domestic and overseas.

The counter person will always ask if you are shipping something liquid, fragile, or hazardous. If you did not answer correctly, you have only yourself to blame.

But I suspect there is another problem. Every now and then a customer ships us something. Also, I watch scores of people who bring items to the post office and expect the postal worker to package them for shipping, holding up everyone else. Invariably, the parcel is poorly packed.

The small flat rate boxes are great, if you tape them shut. The flap has an habit of popping open, so we always use a piece of tape across them. Also, if the contents can move around inside, it is probable than an heavy object like a battery will at some time break through the carton, no matter what the carton is.

Proper packaging is an art. Most people do not realize what a package goes through en route. The postal workers, UPS workers, FedEx, all of them, do the best they can with huge volumes. It's amazing to me that over 99% of USPS stuff goes through accurately and on time.

I doubt anybody opened your box to steal the contents, especially with no indication of what was inside. But when a package breaks open, everything gets screwed up. There is just no time or inclination to screw with a messed up package. It's simple human nature.

So next time, package it at home before you go to the post office. Make sure nothing can move inside the box, and make sure the box is sealed securely. Mark it correctly on the outside. It will sail right through.

If in fact you did all that correctly, your missing battery is the exception that proves the rule.

If you used a flat rate box they did not go ground. Priority Mail is Air only. Unless maybe only a couple towns away. Lipos are definitely allowed on commercial planes.
I took a Rustler VXL and RC18T from WA to FL last year and brought them in my carry on. They inspected the hell out of it all and wiped this bomb detecting cloth on everything but let me through without a problem.

So here is what the post office has posted on there website

Priority Mail Restrictions:
Contents must reasonably fit within the Priority Mail packaging, and weigh less than 70 pounds.


Keep the Mail Safe: Hazardous and Restricted Materials
Some things cannot be mailed
or can be mailed only in small
quantities for safety and legal
reasons. Some items have
restrictions on how they can be mailed, including:
ˇ Aerosol cans
ˇ Firearms
ˇ Flammable materials
ˇ Liquids and powders
ˇ Lottery tickets
ˇ Poisons
Some items, however, are not
permitted in the mail, including:
ˇ Alcoholic beverages
ˇ Ammunition
ˇ Drug paraphernalia
ˇ Fireworks and other explosives
Call 1ˇ800ˇASKˇUSPS or visit your Post Office if you have questions about the item you want to mail

Here's a link to the US postal office restrictions.

http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/welcome.htm

Here's a nice pdf file I found for shipping in general with the post office.

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm100/dmm100.pdf

Here's a pdf on shipping batteries via air flight in general.

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles...tery_guide.pdf



Update: I called the 1800askusps number and talked to the reps. They said that you can ship it up to Priority mail but need to tell the clerk that so they can put there DOT hazmat sticker on it. That was all that was needed. Didnt ask though if there was a added charge.

Now if you didnt have them put that sticker on there then I wouldnt say anything. According to dot you can be fined legally.

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/portal/site...gnextfmt=print

Hope this helps alot of us out there.

Revive! Dead thread
This is the most recent thread I found with a forum search regarding lipo battery fires during the delivery process. Apparently this is not an issue in 2013. I ship from home or print my own shipping labels and drop off the package. I've shipped lipos dozens of times. Many people do. ONE TIME I was specifically asked by USPS employee if the packaged contained a high discharge lithium battery, but that particular time it only had a nimh.
Hobbyking recently amended their shipping policy of lipos. Chime in if you want, or this old thread goes back into the abyss...