I’m regularly asked about what are the rules around batteries when travelling. Make sure your batteries make it through check-in. Basically, if you are flying with spare batteries, they need to be carried on. Don’t lose your expensive batteries! You can bring spare lithium batteries in your carry-on bag, but not in your checked-in luggage.
BUT, if the battery is in an electronic device, the device can be checked in as long as it’s turned off, although never put your camera and lenses in your checked in luggage as it most likely will be damaged UNLESS you’ve got a speciality camera equipment case, and make sure you put it through the fragile bag drop.
What are the restrictions?
- Spare or loose batteries must be carried in carry-on, they are prohibited from checked luggage.
- You do not need approval of the airline for lithium batteries that do not exceed 100 Watt hours [Wh] or 2 grams [g] of lithium.
- You can take a maximum of two spare lithium-ion batteries [or power banks], that exceed 100Wh but not 160Wh [or for lithium metal batteries 2g lithium but not 8g] but only with your airline’s approval.
- Batteries that power any device can go in checked luggage if they are in the device and the device is turned off.
- Each person is allowed a total of 20 spare batteries [including power banks] unless an airline has approved the carriage of more batteries. The 20 spare batteries can all be lithium batteries or a combination of lithium, dry-cell, nickel-metal hydride and non-spillable batteries.
- Each spare battery, must be individually protected by being in retail package, individual bag, a protective pouch, or with tape placed over exposed terminals. Check out what I use.
Read the full aviation security article here