1101:

 

Perhaps selling 1 or 2 of that model, to NZ, via online shoping is just more trouble than its worth for Dell, so they really dont care

 

It may also be to do with lipo shipping restrictions.
Perhaps Dell are using a ridiculously expensive courier service so they dont have lipo shipping issues to deal with ?

 

Youre taking a chance trying to ship anything with a lipo batt in it nowdays. Some couriers simply take a hard line & just ban everything with batts, and goods just get stuck at the border .

 

Even youship,youshop lists lithium batts as prohibited items .
Its a grey/murky area as to when & how batts can be sent, so many couriers find it easier just ban them

 

I don't think it is that grey/murky if you are able and willing to jump through the right hoops. I parallel-imported a notebook via my sister who lives in the States. She had to go to a fair bit of trouble getting the battery information she needed from the manufacturer to fill in the necessary forms, but once that was done she was able to ship without further problem, also not at this end. 

Not murky ??

Even a NZ official/Authorised (multibrand) parts importer was having all sorts of issues getting batts into the country.
Some get through, some get returned to sender or destroyed (yes destroyed)

Cant get batts sent by themselves (easily), but can get laptops sent as the batt is part of a bigger unit: sometimes  & sometimes not.
And MANY online sellers will just send illegally, without proper packaging & documentation. I know of packages being destroyed at the NZ border because of
a single batt .

Some shippers will send, via boat only. very slow.

Ive recently had 5 separate order for lipo batts stopped before they even left the country (China)
Batts, throw the dice, take your chances. Any issues at any step of the process, you lose .
Alot just gets through, as couriers & customs cant check every package .

I have only one experience to draw on but mine was sent with all proper paperwork (insisted on by shipper) and arrived without problem. Paperwork clearly stated battery details, so no subterfuge used. Customs held the computer to ransom for taxes and charges but once they got their pound of flesh were happy to send the computer on to me. The battery was never an issue at any point. That is all I can say about it.