The new Li-Ion battery is not at 0% charge when it gets to you, optimum storage is 40% and the batt probably has that amount of charge.
http://www.buchmann.ca/Chap4-page8.asp
You should never ever overcharge a Li-Ion battery, and the built-in protection circuitry in the batt will prevent it anyhow. There's little truth behind the "first time charge" theory, as Li-Ion batteries have zero memory effect.