New Rules May Raise Cost of Buying Gadgets Online

ericatcw writes "Buying your next laptop or smartphone online could suddenly get a lot more expensive if a little-known US Department of Transportation proposal to tighten rules around the shipment of small, Lithium-Ion battery-powered devices by air goes through, says an industry group opposing the move. The changes, designed primarily to reduce the risk from Lithium-Ion batteries, would also forbid air travelers from carrying spare alkaline or NiMH batteries in their checked-in luggage, according to the head of the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association. The proposal is under review until March 12. It can be viewed and commented upon by members of the public."

Comments

Re:Blame XKCD for this one

[arminw]

...We used to pay for the entirety of the Federal Government's budget (including the military!) solely on import/export taxes....

That was before Marxist Communist ideas of wealth redistribution came into our government. Before then, all government expenditures were actually for GOVERNING. Now we not only redistribute forcibly collected taxes to the poor, but we give it to the rich bankers and corporations.