Item posted airmail status now "do not fly, sent surface" Why?

[sholland]

As title. tracking is RU638491053GB
Posted airmail. Qty 2 electrical/electronic chokes in a parcel less than 2kg. I have posted these before knowing full well that no prohibitions or restrictions are in place. (Such a choke comprise thin sheets of iron screwed together and wound with copper wire.) CN22 stated exactly what they were. Google image of "iron cored choke" for examples.
Now the buyer complains not received. No wonder with surface mail.
Any reasons why this policy is being implemented without warning?
I paid for airmail and now been sent surface.
Thanks, sholland

[Snaggletooth]

I googled "iron cored choke", the first result is for a Wikipedia page about chokes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choke_(electronics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

If I am looking at the right thing, then "A choke usually consists of a coil of insulated wire often wound on a magnetic core..." which could fall could of the prohibitions / restrictions on sending magnetic items in the mail?

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help- ... s-overseas" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The rules on magnetic items are a bit obscure.

[sholland]

Thanks for looking and trying to assist, it is appreciated.
BUT, magnetised only if left connected to a power supply and operated incorrectly. They would become a magnet only for the duration, before overheating and burning out.
These were in a parcel, not plugged into the mains! They cannot hold a charge either. They are not magnetised either.
There is absolutely nothing of danger, Unless you dropped the 1.9kg parcel onto your foot!!!
The common plug in wall transformers used (until fairly recently) and sold by the billions use the same wire and iron core construction.

I have now found that another parcel sent tracked airmail to china at the same time has suffered the same fate of "do not fly"
These are 2 capacitors, each with a wire shorting link attached. Wiki will state that a capacitor can hold an electrical charge, maybe, "like a battery". This is correct in some way, depending on actual size and how connected within a circuit. But they are not batteries.
Thanks, sholland

[sholland]

Forgot to add. The first part of wikipedia link you gave refers to:
"A choke usually consists of a coil of insulated wire often wound on a magnetic core,"
"Magnetic" is NOT a magnet! Steel is magnetic as are lots of other materials. It can be magnetised. Chokes by their nature are deigned not to be magnetised.
Thanks again, sholland

[Snaggletooth]

OK, my schoolboy physics gave out there. My only other thought is that the components had traces of lubricants or fuel and hence fell foul of IATA regulations (generally a problem with used components but not with new ones).

If it's not that, I would attempt to reclaim the cost of postage from RM.

[sholland]

No, maybe some grease from my skin on my hands on the outside! The insulation material is hermetically sealed inside any capacitors in any case.
I will just have to wait and see if or when delivered. No doubt the recipients will file a claim for non receipt by the due airmail date.
Thanks for your advice anyway, have a good weekend.
sholland