How to get laptops from overseas

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › How to get laptops from overseas

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#169831 27-Mar-2015 11:21

Does anyone know how to get a laptop sent here from America (or other countries)? I am trying to buy a model that I can't find here but no US site will ship to NZ. Apparently this has to do with new regulations regarding lithium batteries. I have someone in the States who could forward it to me, but is she going to have problems with the battery? It is 4-cell Lithium Ion 3220 mha. Has anyone else done this recently?

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

JimmyC

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1268939 27-Mar-2015 11:24

I buy my Alienware laptops from the US and haven't come across this issue. Last one was just over a year ago though. How new is this new regulation, do you know?

hsvhel

1237 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1268940 27-Mar-2015 11:24

I received a Dell this morning via DHL that had no issues. Had a separate battery also.
It's slightly more expensive and needs to be clearly declared, other than that it was a normal shipment

Referral Link Quic

Free Setup use R502152EQH6OK on check out

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1268974 27-Mar-2015 12:00

The new regulations came into force as of January this year. Both Ebay and Amazon say they won't ship laptops to NZ under any circumstances.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Horseychick

150 posts

Master Geek

#1268983 27-Mar-2015 12:11

Maybe use a shipping company like Shipito.com

Get Amazon to deliver to them and they can then send it on to you.

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#1268984 27-Mar-2015 12:16

Youshop?

Electronic items with lithium-ion batteries

YouShop USA

Some electronic items including toys which contain lithium-ion batteries can be sent through YouShop USA. A lithium-ion battery must not exceed 20 Wh/cell, or 100 Wh per battery/pack.

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#1269040 27-Mar-2015 14:05

The whole courier shipping/logistics industry have gone bonkers starting out with TNT and now DHL , FedEx now requiring MSDS forms to be completed as part of assuring that their planes won't blow up in mid air. This is absurd because every second, every passenger aircraft takes off and lands with some sort of lithium ion battery on phones, tablets and pretty much any mobile device. In recent living memory I would struggle to recall any air disaster attributed to shipping lithium batteries

Your best bet, post using normal snail mail and declare it as such. You might get stopped at the post office but it is up to you how you justify that with the person over the counter

raytaylor

4014 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1276984 4-Apr-2015 02:12

I buy a new HP elitebook 2760p about every year and never have a problem using youshop.
They are an old model and so finding brand new ones is getting harder and more expensive each time :-(

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

Sideface

9349 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1276992 4-Apr-2015 07:57

khull: The whole courier shipping/logistics industry have gone bonkers starting out with TNT and now DHL , FedEx now requiring MSDS forms to be completed as part of assuring that their planes won't blow up in mid air. This is absurd because every second, every passenger aircraft takes off and lands with some sort of lithium ion battery on phones, tablets and pretty much any mobile device. ...

These devices are transported in a warm, pressurized passenger cabin, not in the hold.

Sideface

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#1279134 8-Apr-2015 16:32

There was an instance , not long ago, of cargo catching fire just before it was loaded into the cargo bay. Lipo batts.
I think there has been at least 1 cargo plane crash caused by a lipo fire in the cargo bay (could be wrong)

Also, if NZ Post or customs finds undeclared batts or batts NOT sent by approved couriers (eg Fedex) , they can & do
confiscate & destroy, with no compensation.
They are doing this now, in both NZ , US and some Asian countries.
People in NZ are having lipos destroyed at the boarder, the whole package, not just the batt.
Its also an offense in NZ to send lithium batts via unapproved methods/couriers .

Ford

330 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1291752 26-Apr-2015 15:38

I think that's how the government can control imports is to put restrictions against a necessary component (battery)and to make it seem like there is a valid reason for the restriction.

I think that is the real intention for the restriction.

To us it seems like their systems are bonkers.
To them - they think we are stupid - have you heard the phrase - "laughing all the way to the bank...."

Ford

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1291779 26-Apr-2015 16:26

I read somewhere (don't have the source) that two freight aircraft are known to have crashed as a result of lithium batteries in devices. There have been a number of almost-fires from batteries that were part of aircraft avionics, resulting in a design change. I am very cynical about red tape that seems to have no obvious purpose, but in this case I think the restrictions make sense and are reasonable. I am now in the process of having a laptop sent from the States and even with the new regulations it seems to be doable as long as the proper documentation is provided. We will see how it goes.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

wasabi2k

2096 posts

Uber Geek

#1291815 26-Apr-2015 18:22

Ford: I think that's how the government can control imports is to put restrictions against a necessary component (battery)and to make it seem like there is a valid reason for the restriction.

I think that is the real intention for the restriction.

To us it seems like their systems are bonkers.
To them - they think we are stupid - have you heard the phrase - "laughing all the way to the bank...."

Ford

If you honestly think that the lithium battery restriction is a government plot to restrict electronic imports - I suggest you check your tinfoil hat alignment.

Lithium batteries fail in spectacular fashion when crushed - think fire and smoke. Not what you want in an aeroplane (as Boeing found on their 787s).

While I agree that the restriction is a bit over the top, I can understand the justification.

Ford

330 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1292061 27-Apr-2015 00:59

All manmade stuff is dangerous on some level
Life is not without risk.