Last 3 times I've stood in line to mail out books, I have overheard the clerks asking all those mailing packages if there are any lithium batteries in the package.  Clerk told me that now ALL those batteries have to be inserted into the technology product in order to go thru the mail due to FAA regulations for cargo on airplanes. You can't mail just those batteries out to anyone any longer, nor have them separate in a box/package.

AND in further discussion, there is a limit on oz of perfume that can go in one package-- you can no longer mail a perfume or scent SET out first class, they have to go surface unless you separate the cologne from the spray in the set and wrap and mail them out as individual packages.  This rule does NOT apply to vendors---- REALLY???? Why would vendors be exempt?  Just cause a package has a vendor return address on it doesn't mean it's any less likely to be sent by a terrorist, does it?

I think that lithium batteries have always had this restriction. I recall having reused a box that a battery came in several months ago, and the clerk wanted to refuse the package. I told her that there was a book, not a batery in it. She took a HEAVY BLACK marker and marked out the 'lithium battery' verbiage.

You definitely *always* want to black out anything on the box that might be questionable.  In fact, my PO has a big poster showing examples of boxes with labeling that needs to be blacked out (not just batteries, but alcoholic beverages, hazardous fluids, etc.).  Also black out any bar codes on the box or envelope.  (Or put tape or stickers over it.)

You know those "Dreamliners" that have been grounded?  Lithium batteries that caught on fire.  Part of the operation of the plane, not consumer products, but still....lithium batteries.

"You definitely *always* want to black out anything on the box that might be questionable... ...any bar codes..."

Oh, I know that. Somehow, I had had a "senior moment" and missed the words about the battery. (Honestly, it was so small that I'm still amazed that the clerk spotted it.)

The point to the OP was that the lithium battery restriction is not a new one...

AND in further discussion, there is a limit on oz of perfume that can go in one package-- you can no longer mail a perfume or scent SET out first class, they have to go surface unless you separate the cologne from the spray in the set and wrap and mail them out as individual packages.  This rule does NOT apply to vendors---- REALLY???? Why would vendors be exempt?  

1. you were never supposed to mail it first class, it was just not really enforced.

2. you can no longer mail perfume SETS at all, no matter the oz. no matter the class of mail. the "rule" is one bottle only, no more than (10 oz I think)

3. vendors are excempt because they package adequately(something many retail shippers do not do) and their packaging has to be approved though Mailing Requirements before they use it.  If they are found to be using non approved packaging, they risk losing their bulk mail rates and they can be fined.It's a legally binding agreement.

"Clerk told me that now ALL those batteries have to be inserted into the technology product in order to go thru the mail due to FAA regulations for cargo on airplanes. You can't mail just those batteries out to anyone any longer, nor have them separate in a box/package."

As I suspected, this is not a new regulation, but one that went into effect last year. In fact, there were two policy changes regarding lithium batteries in 2012 - one in the late Sprting and one in the early Fall. The one in the Fall changed the policy as it impact shipments to APO/FPO addresses. I suspect that if the clerk was allowing them until recently s/he may have been disciplined for accepting things incorrectly. Also, according to the PM I chatted with today, there is a heightened awareness of lithium battereis due to the recent issues with Boeing Dreamliners and the parellel decision by Airbus to pull all lithium-based power cells from their planes.