We get asked this a lot, usually by someone overseas with a cart full of gear and one item that won't play ball: "Why can't you ship this to me?"
The short answer is that some of what we sell is classed as dangerous goods (DG) for transport, and we can't send those items outside Australia. It's not us being difficult. Here's what's affected and why.
What We Can't Ship Overseas
- LiPo batteries. Every pack in our LiPo range, from 1S whoop batteries to 6S packs, plus other loose lithium batteries.
- Aerosols. Spray primers, spray paints and anything else in a pressurised can, including Citadel Spray.
- Solvent-based paints and thinners. Lacquer paints, lacquer thinners, paint removers and similar flammable liquids, such as those in our thinners and additives range.
What's Fine to Ship
Most of the store, including:
- FPV frames, motors, electronics, props and tools
- 3D printers, parts and filament
- Miniatures, model kits and hobby tools
- Water-based paints in pots, like the standard Citadel paint pots
If it isn't a lithium battery, an aerosol, or a flammable solvent-based liquid, it can generally go in the box.
Why These Items Are Treated Differently
International parcels travel by air, and air freight has strict rules about anything that can catch fire or burst.
LiPos store a lot of energy in a small, soft package. If one is damaged or shorts out, it can go into thermal runaway: a fire that feeds itself and is very hard to put out. That's manageable on a workbench with a LiPo bag nearby. It's a much bigger problem in an aircraft hold.
Aerosols are pressurised containers, usually with a flammable propellant. Pressure and temperature changes in flight are exactly what they don't like.
Solvent-based paints and thinners are flammable liquids that give off flammable vapour if a lid works loose.
Sending any of these internationally means specialised packaging, labelling, declarations and approved dangerous goods freight, and the couriers we use for international parcels won't carry them. On a small hobby order, doing it properly would cost far more than the item itself. So rather than cut corners with something that could hurt someone, we don't ship them overseas at all.
What About Within Australia?
Australian customers can order all of these as normal. Just be aware that dangerous goods often have to travel by road rather than air, so an order with LiPos, aerosols or solvent paints in it may take a little longer to arrive than one without, particularly if you're a long way from us.
Ordering From Overseas
If you're outside Australia, leave these items out of your order and pick them up from a local supplier. Batteries and spray cans are the easiest things to source close to home anyway, and you'll save on shipping weight.
Everything else on your list, we're happy to send.
Not Sure About Something?
If you can't tell whether a product counts as dangerous goods, ask us before you order through the contact page and we'll let you know.
And if you're taking your own LiPos on a plane to a race or event, that's a different set of rules. We've covered it in Travelling with LiPos.