B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 41; Flight Crew Total 13397; Flight Crew Type 9268
Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Company Policy; Human Factors
While doing the exterior inspection; I noted two very large pallets of boxes with hazmat symbols printed on the box.  There were no UN labels; just pre printed hazmat symbols printed directly on each box.  I asked a ramp service man what they were and he responded that they were lithium ion batteries.  I looked at our dangerous goods form and found that all that was listed was two loads of dry ice in the forward pit; no lithium ion in the aft pit was listed.  While calling and talking to Dispatch and Load Planning; the First Officer came upon a list of excepted dangerous goods which includes an unspecified amount of lithium ion and lithium metal batteries.  This list does not have to be communicated with the Captain.  I would prefer instruction on what is allowed and why it is safe; instead of circumnavigating my authority.  I took the load this time; but in hindsight would have been more comfortable removing the load.  From now on I will remove the load; unless I am instructed on what is allowed and why it is allowed.  I consider these batteries a fire hazard and want to know what is on my plane and how that risk is being mitigated.
B777 Captain reported Hazmat cargo information was not provided to flight crew prior to departure. Dispatch/load Control informed flight crew the DG cargo qualified as an excepted item that did not have to be communicated with the Captain.