Now is the time to review your global mobility policies for shipping exclusions

Organisations providing their assignees with a household goods shipment typically include policy wording advising that the company won’t ship various items. Policies often frame this as a list of specific items, for example firearms and boats and allow the list to peter out into vagaries such as ‘bulky sports equipment’. The challenge is that organisations simply can’t list every possible possession which might be inappropriate to ship, not least because import rules vary from country to country. As a result policy language oftentimes resorts to catch-all phrases such as ‘items prohibited by the host country’ or ‘items which attract customs duties’. Whilst this generic policy approach is understandable and appropriate, global mobility professionals still need to maintain an awareness of changes which may affect an international household goods shipment. 

As technologies advance and products evolve, both shipping lines and governments adapt their policies on goods which are considered safe and permissible to ship. One such item which has started to become problematic is the Lithium-Ion battery. Assignees have been shipping items containing batteries for years – particularly standard lithium metal batteries such as those found in the TV remote control. However, Li-ION batteries are increasingly being considered a fire risk and as such shipping lines are starting to apply mitigating action. Today, we are seeing an expanding number of products which use Li-ION batteries. These vary from everyday products you’d expect such as laptops and power tools through to products which are relatively new to the market such as e-scooters and e-bikes.

The British Association of Removers (BAR) reports that shipping lines can be inconsistent in their approach to allowing or proscribing their shipment, often deciding on a case-by-case basis. If declared in the shipment, Li-ION batteries are classified as ‘hazardous cargo’ and if accepted by the shipping line will incur a significant freight surcharge. Further, a shipment with hazardous cargo is likely to incur delays in finding space on an available ship. Non-declaration of hazardous goods is offence under maritime law and will incur a substantial fine.

Sterling Lexicon recommends that organisations review the household goods shipping section of their global mobility policies to make specific note of Li-ION batteries and hazardous goods in general under the heading of items the company will not ship.

Our expert counsellors always draw assignees’ attention to restrictions in their organisation’s shipping policy in order that they can plan their move well in advance. Where our client’s policies don’t draw specific attention to Li-ION batteries, we provide proactive advice to assignees on our briefing call and in our written documentation in order that they can make an informed decision.

Sterling Lexicon is dedicated to supporting organisations in providing the best assignee experience and managing the cost of their programme. For more information, please contact your Sterling Lexicon Account Manager or representative.