To ship AirPods, remove them from your Apple Account, put the earbuds in their charging case, wrap the case in bubble wrap, and pack it in a small rigid box with no empty space. Because AirPods contain lithium-ion batteries, used AirPods shipped with USPS must go by USPS Ground Advantage and be marked “Restricted Electronic Device” and “Surface Transportation Only.”
New, sealed AirPods have more options, including Priority Mail and UPS air services. The rest of this guide covers the battery rules, how to pack AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, and which service fits each shipment.
What Battery Rules Apply When You Ship AirPods?
AirPods count as electronic equipment with lithium-ion batteries installed, which USPS and UPS both accept when the batteries are undamaged. Each earbud has its own small battery and the charging case has another, so a set of AirPods typically holds three cells.
USPS Publication 52 sets the domestic limits. Lithium-ion cells can’t exceed 20 Wh and batteries can’t exceed 100 Wh. For small cells rated 2.7 Wh or less, which covers earbud-size batteries, there’s no limit on the number of cells in a package as long as the mailpiece weighs no more than 2.5 kg (about 5.5 lb). The device must also be protected from short circuits and from being switched on, so close the case lid and keep it away from loose metal.
The biggest rule is about condition. USPS defines a “used, damaged, or defective electronic device” as one that isn’t new in its original packaging and isn’t manufacturer-certified new or refurbished. Those devices are banned from air transportation, so they can’t go by Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. Our guide to shipping AA batteries with USPS covers how the rules differ for loose batteries.
| Your AirPods | USPS options | Package markings |
|---|---|---|
| New, factory-sealed | Ground Advantage, Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express | None needed for batteries installed in the device |
| Apple-certified refurbished | Ground Advantage, Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express | None needed for batteries installed in the device |
| Used (sold, gifted or returned) | Ground Advantage only | “Restricted Electronic Device” and “Surface Transportation Only” on the address side |
| Damaged, swollen or recalled | Not mailable without USPS approval | Not applicable |
How Do You Prepare AirPods Before Shipping?
Preparing AirPods before you ship them protects both the buyer and you. If you’re selling or giving them away, remove them from Find My and your Apple Account first, or the next owner can’t set them up as their own. Then reset them by holding the setup button on the case until the light flashes.
Clean the ear tips and the inside of the case, charge the case to a partial level rather than leaving it full, and photograph the earbuds, case and serial number. Those photos and the serial number are your evidence if the buyer reports a problem or you need to file a claim.
What Packaging Do You Need to Ship AirPods?
AirPods are light but small enough to get crushed or lost in a soft mailer. Use a rigid outer package, which USPS requires for anything with lithium batteries, and fill the space so nothing shifts.
- Original Apple box if you have it, placed inside a slightly larger shipping box.
- Small corrugated box, roughly 6 x 4 x 4 inches, for a case with earbuds.
- Bubble wrap, two layers around the case.
- Void fill such as crumpled paper or foam to stop movement.
- Zip bag for spare ear tips and the charging cable.
Carrier-supplied boxes come in useful small sizes, and our guide to UPS box sizes lists the dimensions of each.
How Do You Pack AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max?
Each AirPods model packs a little differently because of its size and accessories.
- AirPods and AirPods Pro: Seat both earbuds in the charging case and close the lid. Bag the spare silicone tips separately so they don’t get lost in the box.
- Wrap the case: Wrap it in two layers of bubble wrap and tape the wrap so it can’t unroll.
- Box it: Put at least an inch of void fill under the case, set it in the center, and fill the remaining space. Shake the closed box gently; nothing should move.
- AirPods Max: Fold the ear cups flat and put the headphones in their Smart Case, then wrap the case and use a larger box, about 9 x 8 x 4 inches, with padding on every side. The headband mesh and ear cushions dent easily, so keep heavy accessories out of the same layer.
- Seal and label: Tape every seam with packing tape. For used AirPods sent with USPS, write or stick “Restricted Electronic Device” and “Surface Transportation Only” on the address side.
Which Carrier Should You Use to Ship AirPods?
Most AirPods shipments go by USPS because the packed box usually weighs about a pound, and USPS Ground Advantage is built for light packages. UPS accepts lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment, such as earbuds, as Section II shipments without a dangerous goods agreement. It’s a good fit when you want UPS’s network or need a faster air service for a used pair.
| Service | Delivery commitment | Included coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 days | Up to $100 | Used AirPods; most light sales |
| USPS Priority Mail | 2–3 days | Up to $100 with most shipments | New or certified refurbished AirPods |
| USPS Priority Mail Express | 1–3 days by 6 PM, money-back guarantee | Up to $100 with most shipments | Urgent new-in-box gifts |
| UPS Ground | 1–5 business days | Up to $100 declared value | Tracked shipments through the UPS network |
If the box goes to a business, campus or locked building, tracking may stall with a security delay; our explainer on recipient location security delays covers what that status means. For a wider view of carriers, see our roundup of shipping services and solutions.
To see what your AirPods box costs to ship, compare live USPS and UPS prices in the ParcelPath rate calculator. ParcelPath is free, with no subscription or per-label fees, and gives up to 89% off USPS and up to 85% off UPS. You can skip the printer with a UPS Mobile Barcode at The UPS Store or a USPS Label Broker code at the Post Office. If you’re new to buying labels online, our guide on how to ship a package covers each step.
Should You Insure AirPods When You Ship Them?
Yes, insure AirPods for their full value when you ship them, especially AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Ground Advantage and Priority Mail include up to $100 of coverage, and USPS sells additional insurance up to $5,000. UPS includes up to $100 of declared value, and you can declare more when you create the label.
Claims depend on proof, so keep the receipt or sale listing, your packing photos and the tracking number. Our guide to USPS insurance rates and coverage explains how coverage is bought and claimed. For a sale above the included coverage, add signature confirmation so the box isn’t left on a porch.
How Do You Ship AirPods Internationally?
New AirPods can be mailed internationally with USPS, but used AirPods can’t. USPS Publication 52 prohibits sending used, damaged or defective lithium batteries abroad under any circumstances, and only devices that are new in original packaging or manufacturer-certified refurbished qualify. Batteries must be installed in the device, and each package can hold no more than four lithium cells or two lithium batteries, with no more than two such packages per shipment.
That four-cell limit means one set of AirPods, three cells, fits in a package, but two sets don’t. Unlike domestic USPS mail, international packages must not display a lithium battery label. Global Express Guaranteed doesn’t accept them, and some countries ban lithium batteries in inbound mail entirely. For a used pair, UPS international services accept equipment with installed lithium-ion batteries under Section II.
Fill out the customs declaration with an exact description, such as “wireless earbuds with installed lithium-ion batteries,” and the true value. Shipping to Canada is the most common case, and our guide to shipping to Canada covers customs and services there.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Shipping AirPods?
- Shipping used AirPods by Priority Mail. USPS bars used lithium battery devices from air, so use Ground Advantage with the two required markings.
- Using a padded envelope. USPS requires rigid outer packaging for lithium battery mail, and envelopes let the case get crushed.
- Leaving them linked to your Apple Account. The buyer can’t pair AirPods that are still in your Find My.
- Shipping a swollen or damaged case. Damaged or defective lithium batteries aren’t mailable with USPS, and UPS doesn’t accept them by air.
- Under-declaring value. Coverage tops out at the value you declare, so a low figure limits any claim.
Resellers moving full cases of sealed earbuds to a warehouse sometimes outgrow parcel shipping; our guide to getting accurate freight shipping quotes covers when a pallet makes more sense, and ParcelPath’s PalletPath handles LTL freight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ship AirPods through USPS?
Yes, you can ship AirPods through USPS because their lithium-ion batteries are installed in the device. New or Apple-certified refurbished AirPods can go by Ground Advantage, Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. Used AirPods must go by USPS Ground Advantage, marked “Restricted Electronic Device” and “Surface Transportation Only” on the address side.
What is the safest way to ship AirPods?
The safest way to ship AirPods is in their closed charging case, wrapped in two layers of bubble wrap, centered in a small rigid box with void fill on every side. Add insurance for the full value and signature confirmation for higher-value models such as AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Do you need to unpair AirPods before shipping them?
Yes, unpair AirPods before shipping them to a new owner. Remove them from Find My and your Apple Account, then reset them with the setup button on the case. If they stay linked to your account, the buyer can’t set them up as their own.
Can you ship used AirPods overseas?
Not with USPS. USPS prohibits used, damaged or defective lithium batteries in international mail, so only new or manufacturer-certified refurbished AirPods qualify. For a used pair, UPS international services accept devices with installed lithium-ion batteries as Section II shipments, subject to the destination country’s rules.
Sources
- USPS Publication 52, 349: Lithium batteries (domestic mail)
- USPS Publication 52, 622: Mailable dangerous goods (international lithium batteries)
- USPS: Ground Advantage
- USPS: Priority Mail
- USPS: Priority Mail Express
- UPS: How to Ship Batteries
- Apple Support: Remove AirPods from your Apple Account and reset AirPods
Part of our How to Ship Electronics guide. Related: How to Ship a Monitor, How to Ship a Printer, How to Ship Speakers.
