Shipping batteries via FedEx, what a hassle

[USA-Alex]

My buddy in the states just called me and told me that he spend 45 minutes at a FedEx office, trying to ship my mod plus batteries to me...I'm currently in Mexico. He wrote on the customs sheet '5 batteries' and thats all it took to freak everyone out...They told him it will be clasified as HazMat, special paperwork is needed and only three FedEx locations in Mexico accept this shipment...of course, I would have to pick it up there....4 hrs. away from where I'am....Whats going on there? it's just 5pcs. AW IMR 18490 batt's....is that normal? How do you ship your batts?Thanks