I had some interesting conversations with Australia Post concerning the posting of Li-ion and LiPo batteries a few years back. They basically said "no way, under no circumstances, will we carry them", until I pointed out their own promotion of the
Mobile Muster program. The envelope provided for posting the phone/battery is a standard non-padded poly satchel, not unlike the express post satchels. I'm still waiting to hear about a truck, plane, or distribution centre going up as a result.
For kicks,
read their own address label. Don't skip section 4 of the dangerous goods declaration!!!
Edit: Might as well include Australia Post's somewhat naive response (names removed, of course):
Thankyou for replying to ***s email.
I would like to apologise for the misleading information *** has
provided you, I have followed this up to ensure correct information is
provided in future.
While some batteries are unable to be sent by through Australia Post,
i.e. wet cell batteries, dry cell batteries such as a mobile phone
battery are able to be sent as long as they are removed from the device
and are packaged in a way which will ensure they can not come in to
contact with, and thus complete, the circuit.
For a detailed explanation of this please follow the below link to our
Dangerous & Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide, D10.2 page 44:
http://www.auspost.com.au/Pdfs/DangerousGoodsGuide.pdf
Once again please accept my apologies and should you have any further
enquiries which I may be of assistance with, please do not hesitate to
respond via reply email.
Kind regards,
*****
Domestic Resolutions Consultant
AUSTRALIA POST CUSTOMER CONTACT CENTRE
COMMERCIAL VIC/TAS DIVISION
PO BOX 5272 MOUNT WAVERLEY VIC 3149
T: 13 13 18 | F: +61 3 8847 9222