New Camera Experience: Battery always arrives at 0% charge

[mrobrien]

If people from Canon monitor this...

Whenever I buy a new anything, it comes with a battery that is at least 50% charged - but usually >90%.  

However, whenever I get a new Canon camera, the battery comes 0% charged and I need to wait HOURS to use the camera.  It's like coming downstairs at Christmas to see what Santa Clause brought, and then having to wait three hours before we can open our presents.   Just for good measure, maybe Canon could add a 5-hour countdown timer that locks the camera, after a consumer first turns on the camera, to build even more suspense.   

[DougsGraphics]

I realize nobody has responded to this in many months since posting, but here is part of the answer.  The IATA has restrictions that apply to Lithium-containing batteries (a hazardous cargo) which currently provides guidance for 2025 / requirements for 2026 onward, that states the batteries must not be charged above 30% of their stated capacity.  Most companies have taken a conservative approach to this guidance, and the regulations within various countries may likewise be more conservative.  Unfortunately, your experience with Canon batteries will likely become the norm for other companies as well.  These batteries -- my conjecture -- even shipped with the camera, may soon be fully excluded from air cargo. 

[AtticusLake]

Good answer from DougsGraphics.

Another point is that Li-ion batteries will gradually degrade over time; but this degradation happens faster if they are fully charged, and MUCH faster if they get hot.  So if Canon (or anyone) was to ship batteries at 100%, and especially of they got hot en route, then by the time you got the camera the battery would be PERMANENTLY degraded.

For long-term use or shipping, keeping batteries at 40% or less drastically reduces this effect.  So you will generally find that for any item you buy with Li-ion batteries, it should arrive with no more than 40% or so of charge.  If it arrives at 100%, then the manufacturer has some questions to answer about how they care for your product before you get it.