Moving to another job site, relocating to Australia, or heading overseas for a contract? Taking your cordless power tools with you can be more complicated than sending an ordinary toolbox.
Most modern cordless tools use lithium-ion batteries, which are regulated for transport. This includes batteries used in drills, impact drivers, grinders, saws, nail guns and other cordless equipment.
At DG Solutions, we help tradies and businesses move power tools and lithium battery kits throughout New Zealand, to Australia and internationally.
Can You Courier Power Tools in New Zealand?
Generally, yes but the batteries need to be considered.
Common tool brands such as Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, HiKOKI and Ryobi use rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs.
Depending on the battery size, quantity and how it is packed, dangerous goods requirements may apply.
This becomes particularly important when sending:
- Multiple cordless tool batteries
- Large battery packs
- Batteries separately from the tools
- Complete tool kits containing several batteries
- Used power tools and batteries
Simply putting batteries into a toolbox or courier carton does not necessarily make the shipment compliant.
Shipping Power Tools from NZ to Australia
Australia is one of the most common destinations we assist with.
Tradies relocating from New Zealand to Australia often want to take thousands of dollars worth of cordless tools rather than replace everything when they arrive.
The problem is that removal companies, airlines and standard courier networks may place restrictions on lithium batteries.
DG Solutions can help arrange compliant transport of:
Power tools / batteries within New Zealand to Australia
We can assist with the dangerous goods assessment, packaging, marking, labelling, documentation and freight arrangements required to get your equipment moving.
What About Spare Power Tool Batteries?
Spare batteries can be more difficult to transport than batteries installed in equipment.
Lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own are generally classified as UN3480 – Lithium ion batteries, while batteries packed with or contained in equipment may fall under UN3481.
The applicable transport requirements depend on factors including the battery's watt-hour (Wh) rating, configuration, quantity, condition and mode of transport.
For international air freight, lithium batteries are subject to specific IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Batteries Under 100Wh
Many common cordless power tool batteries are below 100Wh.
For example:
18V × 5Ah = 90Wh
Smaller lithium-ion batteries may qualify for reduced requirements under applicable dangerous goods provisions, but being below 100Wh does not automatically mean the battery is unrestricted or non-dangerous goods.
Packaging, short-circuit protection, UN 38.3 testing and other requirements can still apply.
Larger tool batteries over 100Wh can be subject to more stringent requirements.
Heading Overseas for Work?
We can assist tradies, contractors and businesses needing to move tools for:
- Relocating from NZ to Australia
- FIFO and project work
- Construction contracts
- Mining and infrastructure projects
- Commercial installations
- Returning tools to manufacturers
- Moving complete employee tool kits
- International equipment relocations
Whether it's a couple of Makita batteries or an entire cordless tool setup, we can assess the shipment before you send it.
Why Can't I Just Put the Batteries in My Checked Luggage?
Airline passenger baggage rules are different from cargo rules, and spare lithium batteries are subject to restrictions. Larger batteries may also require airline approval or may not be permitted as normal passenger baggage.
If you're relocating overseas with a substantial collection of cordless tools, arranging the batteries as properly prepared cargo can be a better option.
DG Solutions Can Handle the Dangerous Goods Side
DG Solutions provides specialist dangerous goods shipping support throughout New Zealand.
We can assist with:
- Lithium battery classification
- Power tool battery shipping
- Dangerous goods declarations
- IATA export documentation
- Packaging and repacking
- Dangerous goods labels and markings
- Freight inspections
- Domestic NZ transport
- NZ to Australia shipments
- International air freight
We already assist with lithium batteries used in power tools, e-bikes, industrial equipment and other battery-powered products.
What Do We Need to Provide a Quote?
If you need to move your tools, send us:
- Collection suburb/postcode
- Destination suburb/postcode and country
- Number of tools and batteries
- Battery voltage (V)
- Battery capacity (Ah) or watt-hours (Wh)
- Photos of the batteries
- Approximate packed weight and dimensions
- Whether the batteries are new or used
From there, we can determine the appropriate transport option.
Need to Ship Your Power Tools?
Don't leave thousands of dollars of tools behind just because you're moving interstate or overseas.
DG Solutions can help tradies move cordless power tools and lithium battery kits around New Zealand, to Australia and worldwide.
Contact DG Solutions NZ for a dangerous goods freight assessment and quote.