Mini Can't ship an ereader to Italy?!

[TongueTied]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

Such regulations do exist, as others have pointed out. And the issue isn't so much the shipping post office as someone checking the label along the way. Unlikely, but possible.

My understanding of the restriction on certain forms of batteries is that it's well thought out but, in cases such as these, ultimately pointless. Some batteries have a low internal resistance, which allows a large current draw, and potentially overheating. This is a real issue for for improperly packaged batteries since shorts are possible. I suspect that it is not an issue at all for batteries that are factory installed in consumer electronics. Unfortunately, the regulations probably don't distinguish between the two cases.

Lithium batteries are prone to thermal runaway which is a very real concern. However, Lithium Ion are not nearly as susceptible as Lithium Polymer. Most people wouldn't know the difference and many manufacturers don't clearly identify which type is in the device. (aside: did you know that the IPhone has a Lithium Polymer battery! ). Since most people don't know the difference, it is easier to simply ban the lot.

[Thrasher]

I am surprised you even had to fill out a customs form when sending a package from UK to Italy. Both countries are in the EU and parcels should not be inspected at the border....

The same "no lithium battery outside the country" rule applies for Canada Post as well. However, I have sent a tablet and eReader to Europe before. Just declare it as "book" or "Kobo book" as someone has suggested. 99% it will get there just fine. The worst case scenario is you will end up losing a Ł50 item. Or they will send it back to you... Sometimes you have to take the risk.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by TongueTied

Not to mention that if you flew on a new Boeing 787, the aircraft batteries are lithium ion.

Yeah and just look how that turned out! Lol

[paola]

Originally Posted by Thrasher

I am surprised you even had to fill out a customs form when sending a package from UK to Italy. Both countries are in the EU and parcels should not be inspected at the border....

o no, there was no request to fill a form: only, they asked me what was in it, I said a kobo (mind you, I was in a WHSmith cum post office, so they knew the item ), the lady took the package, started putting "fragile stickers on", and the other girl said actually no, this cannot go.

Tempted to try another post office, but my issue is: if anything were to go wrong (again, it is the Italian postal system which worries me) I guess I could never claim for a missing ereader which was not supposed to be posted anyway. or, feign ignorance, declare it contains a Kobo, and hope the person does not know about the Italian restrictions.

[TongueTied]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

Yeah and just look how that turned out! Lol

Yeah, but they are back in service with the same battery composition (Lithium Ion (Cobolt in this case))

[kumaryu]

Originally Posted by paola

o no, there was no request to fill a form: only, they asked me what was in it, I said a kobo (mind you, I was in a WHSmith cum post office, so they knew the item ), the lady took the package, started putting "fragile stickers on", and the other girl said actually no, this cannot go.

I've had experience with both the Italian, Japanese and UK POs and DHL sending laptops and other items from UK/JP to IT. The main prob is that they get "lost" a lot. A lot... If you're entrusting it to them, you're already taking a great risk so the additional risk of not declaring it properly (and being impounded by the authorities) is negligible compared to the possibility, nay the likelihood of it being lost.

For the value of the items concerned, I would just send it with an item description that is generic. POs are usually not too strict about the exact composition of the contents. It may get lost, but between UK and IT POs, that would be a huge possibility in any event.

[Cdesja5]

Originally Posted by kumaryu

I've had experience with both the Italian, Japanese and UK POs and DHL sending laptops and other items from UK/JP to IT. The main prob is that they get "lost" a lot. A lot... If you're entrusting it to them, you're already taking a great risk so the additional risk of not declaring it properly (and being impounded by the authorities) is negligible compared to the possibility, nay the likelihood of it being lost.

For the value of the items concerned, I would just send it with an item description that is generic. POs are usually not too strict about the exact composition of the contents. It may get lost, but between UK and IT POs, that would be a huge possibility in any event.

I'm shipping a Mini to my daughter in Japan as part of a large "care" package I send her a couple of times a year. I usually mail from the US when I'm leaving in a trip (what can I say, airfare AND shipping are both cheaper from there!) I guess I'll go the generic/vague route for the Mini. Thanks for starting the thread Paola! I might not have thought to do that...

[aceflor]

Paola, have you checked DHL fees ? Their european package fares (I use them extensively for small parcel between Germany, Spain and Frane. For bigger parcels I use UPS because they are then cheaper than UPS) are very reasonable, and they cover southern Europe really well. Plus they will transport a reader without any trouble (been there, done that).

[paola]

@ kumaryu, well actually my experience with Royal Mail over the 20 years I've been living in the UK is excellent: but with Italy is abismal, so loss of the packet by whatever means is what I fear.

@Cdesja5:

Originally Posted by aceflor

Paola, have you checked DHL fees ? Their european package fares (I use them extensively for small parcel between Germany, Spain and Frane. For bigger parcels I use UPS because they are then cheaper than UPS) are very reasonable, and they cover southern Europe really well. Plus they will transport a reader without any trouble (been there, done that).

we go above £30, for a content which is less than £50...

I'm planning my next trip to Italy :-)