Domestic and International
Batteries pose a unique hazard during air transport and can cause a fire if not transported correctly. The carriage of portable electronic devices (PED) and batteries is for personal use and to assist you from carrying any batteries and quantities that are prohibited at law please read the information on this page.
If your flight is to or from the United States, penalties under US Federal law include fines of up to USD250,000 and even imprisonment. Please also read the information on the FAA Safe Pack website for more information about batteries and hazardous materials.
Whether a battery can be carried or not depends on its type, configuration, the quantity and certain conditions:
- In equipment – The battery must be securely installed in the portable electronic device (PED). When carried in checked baggage the PED must be switched off (not in hibernation or sleep mode), have the on/off switch adequately protected against accidental activation and the PED must also be protected from damage. For example, the PED is packed in original retail packaging, a sturdy box/container or a hard-molded case for items such as power tools, where the on/off switch cannot be accidentally activated.
- Spare or loose batteries - Are those batteries not installed in the device, carried separately or items such as power banks/packs designed to power or back-up another device. Spare/loose batteries (including power banks/packs must be in carry-on baggage only and must be protected against short circuit by, placing in its original retail packaging, placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch or insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals.
- Smart bags with a battery/power bank installed - Passenger baggage equipped with a lithium battery/power bank used to recharge/power a portable electronic device (PED) e.g. via a USB port, are permitted provided the lithium battery or power bank is removable from the baggage and is carried in the cabin. Baggage checked in must have the batteries removed and carried in the cabin.
Passenger baggage equipped with small inbuilt portable electronic devices (PED’s) such as bag tags, locks, scales powered by button cells or alkaline batteries are permitted in checked baggage.
Transmitting and WIFI functions on smart bags must be turned off. - All lithium batteries must be of a type that meets the requirements of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3. Documentation verifying this may be required.
- Batteries that are damaged, distorted, leaking, showing signs of corrosion or identified as defective and recalled by a manufacturer are not permitted for carriage.
| Type |
Common Use | Configuration | Cabin Baggage | Checked In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lithium-ion (polymer) 100Wh or less |
Batteries for mobile phones, handheld devices, laptops, tablets, small power tools, video cameras, small toys. | In equipment Limited to 15 PEDs per person. Additional PED’s may be approved by the Operator where this is deemed necessary. |
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Spares Up to 20 spare batteries permitted. Additional batteries may be approved by the Operator where this is deemed necessary. |
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Lithium-ion (polymer) over 100Wh up to 160Wh |
Batteries for large camera equipment, garden tools, small recreational devices, large drones. | In equipment | ||
Spares Only two (2) spare batteries. Must be declared at check-in |
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Lithium-ion (polymer) over 160Wh |
Electric bikes, Segways, recreational vehicles and battery packs. |
Not permitted Electric Wheelchair/Mobility Device Exemptions Apply |
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Lithium metal 2 g or less lithium metal content |
Non-rechargeable batteries for watches, cameras, small toys. | In equipment Limited to 15 PEDs per person. Additional PED’s may be approved by the Operator where this is deemed necessary. |
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Spares Up to 20 spare batteries permitted. Additional batteries may be approved by the Operator where this is deemed necessary |
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Lithium metal Over 2 g - 8 g lithium metal content |
Medical Devices only Not permitted to, from and within the USA. |
In equipment | ||
Spares Only two (2) spare batteries. Must be declared at check-in |
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Lithium metal over< 8 g lithium metal content |
Not Permitted Electric Wheelchair/Mobility Device Exemptions Apply |
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Sealed lead acid (SLA), Gel Type and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), camera lighting, children’s toy vehicles, uninterrupted power sources for computer back-up. | In equipment | ||
Spares Only two (2) spare batteries. |
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Non-spillable batteries over 12v and 100Wh |
Not Permitted Electric Wheelchair/Mobility Device Exemptions Apply |
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Dry Batteries |
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In equipment Limited to 15 PEDs per person. Additional PED’s may be approved by the Operator where this is deemed necessary. |
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Spares Up to 20 spare batteries permitted. Additional batteries may be approved by the Operator where this is deemed necessary. |
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