Qatari consumers find Lithium batteries shipment ban worrisome

There have been recent international restrictions placed on shipment of lithium-ion batteries and lithium-powered gadgets.

It has raised concerns among many Qatar residents, who says the situation has limited their options when making online purchases of these items.

Many electronic products are powered by lithium batteries, among them tablets and smartphones, digital cameras, laptops, as well as medical equipment and power tools.

But due to safety concerns, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has banned the shipment of lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft.

The ban, which took effect on April 1, was adopted by ICAO’s 36-nation governing council on an interim basis until new packaging standards for lithium batteries are developed, said news reports quoting ICAO president Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu.

In Qatar, the price range of lithium batteries and lithium-powered products varies, and many residents rely on online stores that provide lower prices or special rates compared to those offered by local stores, which again may not have the exact products sought after by customers.

Qatar-based photographer and videographer, Hamad Al Muftah, told Gulf Times that he often purchases photographic equipment or accessories online because of cheaper prices.

“Sometimes the equipment I need is either too expensive to buy in Qatar or isn’t available in the local store, which is why getting them online is a more practical option,” he said.

But A Muftah lamented that his online purchase of assorted lithium batteries was prohibited to enter Qatar upon reaching Dubai. The items, according to him, were shipped back to the US.

He noted that a similar incident happened to his friend in Doha, who purchased lithium batteries worth QR4,000 from an online store, which refunded the amount after the items were shipped back to the US.

Some online stores have stopped shipping lithium-powered items to Qatar. A leading US store in an advisory, said: “There are currently no shipping methods available to Qatar due to carrier regulations regarding products containing lithium batteries. Please select a different shipping destination or remove these items from your cart.”

A Doha resident said he was fortunate to get lithium batteries from a relative, who bought the items in the US and hand-carried them to Doha. Al Muftah said one of his options is to transport lithium batteries from Dubai to Qatar by road.

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Safety Alert for Operators (Safo) on “carriage of spare lithium batteries in carry-on and checked baggage.”

“Lithium batteries present a risk of both igniting and fueling fires in aircraft cargo/baggage compartments,” the Safo said.

“To reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, the US Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), and equivalent International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods (ICAO TI), prohibit spare lithium batteries from checked baggage (including baggage checked at the gate or on-board the aircraft),” it added.

A customer service representative (CSR) from Aramex Doha told Gulf Times that it “cannot accept or ship lithium batteries.” The same was stated by a CSR from FedEx in Qatar.

A call to DHL in Doha revealed that the company ‘can ship lithium batteries but it should be with the equipment such as mobile phones and laptop computers.’

Courtesy: gulf-times.com