Due to concerns about practices involving the transport of lithium batteries, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have published a Safety Advisory in the Federal Register.

Lithium batteries are considered hazardous material, presenting both chemical and electrical hazards.  There are special packaging, labeling, testing and handling requirements for their transportation.

In the Safety Advisory, the PHMSA identified more than 40 air transport-related incidents since 1991 involving lithium batteries and items containing lithium batteries.

The Safety Advisory outlines regulatory requirements for transporting lithium batteries, increased enforcement efforts and the substantial penalties for non-compliance.

Since 1964 Hess Toy Trucks were only available at their gas stations. To buy a Hess Toy you had to go to your local Hess Express station. At the time of purchase they would give you batteries to go with your toy purchase. Not until November of 2012 did Hess start selling their annual Christmas Toy online.

Because of US DOT and FAA hazardous materials warnings we do not ship our new or vintage Hess Toys with batteries.  Another benefit to Hess Toy Collectors is that by removing the batteries we help preserve the toys.  Through the years of buying large toy collections, we have found that over 35% of vintage Hess Trucks are ruined due to batteries being left in the truck.  Battery corrosion in the battery box damages the metal contacts that connect the lights and sounds wiring to the battery, and ruins the toy.

Please feel free to call or email me if you have a vintage Hess Toy with battery corrosion damage.  I’m happy to give you some of my tips on how to clean and sometimes fix the toy.