paulgailey

fwiw, here's my findings on current shipping of lithium-ion batteries. i am visiting as a tourist to NY from europe in august and was looking to get a M18 milwaukee chainsaw. alas it's battery is actually a whopping 216 wH - something that is not explictly labelled, infact all makers give you volts and amps but all air transport regulations is based on watt hours and the upper limit for normal courier air transport is 160 watt hours and on carry on as a passenger it's 100, meaning that this battery would have to travel back to europe as dangerous goods/ hazard materials which is subject to special cargo and special packaging and certified statements/declaration and handling, only possible by very few specialist companies. short story: 750 USD to get that battery back across atlantic to europe. so i cannot get a milwaukee and they dont (yet) sell the saw without the battery in usa. yes, its available in europe, but it's 250 USD more expensive. so i cannot get that saw. it turns out i could get makita batteries for their 18volt 5 aH battery and as a passenger travel with 2 of them in cabin luggage from USA. So check your TSA and IATA regulations if you're thinking of flying with batteries and don't risk violating guidelines as they will detect you and are entitled to heavily fine you. and in case you're wondering, turns out makita saws are equal priced between usa and europe for consumers, infact in many cases less expensive in europe, but in usa they do gift packs of free batteries for some unknown reason.

ah ok. lucky you. let us know how it goes. cheers

Hi Chris, so you've ordered the same M18 saw but just not received it yet? I'm likely I think to get a battery powered Makita as it's just too difficult to get the Milwaukee in my circumstances.

hello all, yes i resgistered here in search of chainsaw chat, especially for the Milwaukee new M18 im considering purchasing it but have a challenge in doing so as a tourist in NYC in August. 1. the shipped battery at 216 wH is too high energy to be taken back either as permissable cabin or luggage hold air transport - it has to be Dangerous goods certified shipping: a BIG cost+hassle 2. I cannot seem to purchase the saw in USA without the M18 battery - itself selling at 199USD as a standalone item 3. I cannot advertise to sell a brand new M18 battery here (as i am a newbie) 4. yes, the item is available in europe at a price differential of +250USD to USA price. 5. maybe i can find a USA tool retailer willing to sell me it without the battery or take it back? - any ideas in the NYC area? 6. maybe i should just forget it.... and get a Makita 18v chainsaw in Europe instead. have a splendid day.