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Shipping & packing guide

Most devices contain a lithium-ion battery. Shipped correctly they are perfectly safe; shipped wrong they are a fire risk and a federal violation. Follow these steps and you're covered.

Lithium batteries

Phones, laptops, tablets, watches and most consoles' controllers contain lithium-ion cells. Under U.S. DOT rules (49 CFR 173.185) and carrier tariffs, a battery installed in its device ships as UN3481, Packing Instruction 967, Section II:

  • Ground service only. Our labels are always ground (USPS Ground Advantage, UPS Ground, FedEx Ground). Do not ask the counter to upgrade to air/Priority Mail Express.
  • Battery mark on the box. Your packing sheet includes the lithium-battery mark. Print it and tape it to the box next to the label, or write "UN3481 — Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment" on the box.
  • Device off, not charged above 30% if you can, no loose cables or metal in the box.
Swollen, damaged or leaking batteries — do not ship

A puffed-up back, a screen lifting from the frame, a hissing or chemical smell, or a battery that has been punctured is a damaged/defective lithium battery, which is forbidden in mail and parcel networks. If you told us the battery is swollen, your offer page says "local drop-off" and no label is issued. We'll arrange a Treasure Valley drop-off or pickup. In the meantime keep the device on a non-flammable surface, away from heat, and do not charge it.

Broken glass

Cover the whole screen (and back, if glass) with clear packing tape so fragments can't escape, then wrap the device in bubble wrap or a folded cloth. Broken screens cut carrier employees; secured glass is not a hazmat issue.

Packing, step by step

  1. Back up, sign out of accounts, turn off Find My / FRP, remove SIM and memory cards. Factory reset if it boots.
  2. Print the label and packing sheet from your offer page.
  3. Wrap the device in bubble wrap or foam. Tape over broken glass first.
  4. Use a rigid box with at least 2 in (5 cm) of cushioning on all sides. A reused box is fine — remove or black out old labels and barcodes.
  5. Put the packing sheet inside, on top.
  6. Seal with packing tape. Tape the label flat on the largest face; tape the battery mark next to it.
  7. Drop it at any location for the carrier on your label within the offer window. Keep your tracking number.

What not to include

Chargers, cases, cables and boxes don't change the offer and add weight. Keep them or recycle them locally. Never include loose batteries, power banks, or anything with liquid.

Returns

If you decline a revised offer, we ship the device back with the same ground-and-mark rules at no charge, to the ship-from address you gave us.

Local drop-off

Treasure Valley sellers can drop off any device — including ones that can't ship — by arrangement. Contact us with your offer number.