Yes — most batteries belong in hand luggage; keep spares in the cabin, respect watt-hour limits, and never place power banks in checked bags.
Taking Batteries In Hand Luggage: Quick Rules
Most travelers carry a mix of phones, cameras, razors, toys, and small tools. Different chemistries behave differently under stress, so airlines group them by risk. Use the table below as your checkpoint, then read the sections that follow for details and edge cases.
| Battery Type | Hand Luggage | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline & NiMH (AA/AAA/C/D/9V) — spares | Allowed. Protect terminals. | Allowed by many carriers; pack to prevent contact. |
| Lithium-ion in device (phone, laptop, camera, drone controller) | Allowed. Turn fully off. | Often allowed when installed; sleep mode off. |
| Lithium-ion spare / power bank | Carry in cabin only; Wh limits apply. | Not allowed. |
| Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) in device | Allowed. Small items like headlamps or cameras. | Often allowed when installed. |
| Lithium metal spare cells (CR123A, CR2032, etc.) | Carry in cabin only; insulate terminals. | Not allowed. |
| E-cigarette / vape device | Carry in cabin only; no charging onboard. | Not allowed. |
| Button cells (installed or spare) | Allowed. Keep spares in packaging. | Allowed by many carriers. |
| Non-spillable sealed lead-acid (small 12 V packs) | Allowed in limited sizes; protect terminals. | Often allowed if installed in equipment. |
| Large lithium packs >160 Wh (e-bike, e-scooter) | Not allowed. | Not allowed. |
Rules vary slightly by country and airline, yet the core points align worldwide through IATA and national regulators. When in doubt, pack spares in your cabin bag and shield every exposed terminal. Carry small zip bags and tape for packing.
Carry-On Battery Basics You Can Trust
Before digging into sizes, learn the two phrases agents use: watt-hours (Wh) for lithium-ion and grams of lithium for lithium metal. If your pack only lists milliamp-hours (mAh), convert using Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Keep a tiny note in your wallet with your common packs listed; it speeds up any desk chat.
Installed Packs Versus Spares
Installed packs live inside a device. Cabin or hold may accept them, as long as the device is switched fully off and protected from accidental activation. Spares are loose cells or power banks. These stay with you in hand luggage only and need terminal protection.
Power Banks And Phone Battery Cases
Power banks count as spare lithium-ion. They ride in the cabin and never in checked luggage. Many carriers also ask that you don’t use them during the flight. Keep the capacity label visible.
Alkaline, NiMH, And Other Non-Lithium Cells
Everyday AA or AAA cells are fine in carry-on. Most airlines also accept them in checked bags, yet packing spares in the cabin is safer and avoids extra screening. Tape over 9-volt posts and keep sets in small sleeves or their retail boxes.
Can You Carry Batteries In Hand Luggage On International Flights?
Yes, and the limits look familiar across regions. That is because airlines follow IATA guidance, while national agencies publish matching rules. You may see small twists, such as quantity caps or requests to seek approval for medium packs. If you are crossing multiple hubs, follow the strictest rule you encounter.
Global Rules In Plain Language
- Small lithium-ion packs up to 100 Wh: carry-on allowed, spares in cabin only.
- Medium lithium-ion packs 101–160 Wh: carry-on allowed; many airlines require approval; usually two spares per person.
- Over 160 Wh: not for passenger aircraft.
- Lithium metal spares are cabin-only. Typical limit is up to 2 g per cell; 2–8 g often needs airline approval; above that is not allowed.
These caps apply to phones, tablets, handheld game consoles, most cameras, gimbals, and many drones. Big cinema lights, jumbo power stations, and e-bike packs exceed the line and must stay home or move by cargo.
Watt-Hour And Lithium Content Limits
Use this table to match your battery to the correct lane. If a device lists only mAh and volts, apply the Wh formula. Labels matter, so avoid scratched-off stickers.
| Battery Size | Hand Luggage | Quantity / Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh or ≤ 2 g lithium metal | Allowed. Spares in cabin only. | Commonly unlimited small spares for personal use. |
| 101–160 Wh or 2–8 g lithium metal | Allowed. Spares in cabin only. | Often max two spares; many airlines need approval. |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed. | Ship as cargo only; not for passengers. |
Packing Steps That Reduce Risk
Protect Terminals And Prevent Crush
Short circuits start many incidents. Cap exposed ends, slide cells into plastic sleeves, or use rigid cases. Don’t cram heavy items on top of a battery bank or camera case.
Switch Devices Fully Off
Sleep Mode Isn’t Off
Shut laptops down. Flip the master switch on drone batteries. Use travel locks on tools that can start by accident.
Separate Spares From Liquids
Keep spare cells away from metal water bottles, keys, and loose coins. A small zip pouch or a fire-resistant sleeve keeps things tidy.
Watch For Damage Or Recalls
Swollen, cracked, or recalled packs should not fly. Replace them before your trip. If a device overheats during charging the night before, leave it behind.
Device-Specific Tips
Phones, Tablets, And Laptops
These ship with packs well under 100 Wh. Carry them in your cabin bag and power down during takeoff and landing if asked. If your laptop uses an extended pack over 100 Wh, check the label and seek airline approval in advance.
Cameras, Drones, And Gimbals
Most camera packs sit in the 10–25 Wh range; gimbals are similar. Drones vary widely. Keep flight batteries in individual sleeves with contacts capped. Many drone smart batteries include a transport mode that lowers state of charge; use it.
E-Cigarettes And Vapes
Carry the device and any spare cells in the cabin only. Remove pods or tanks if they might leak with pressure changes. Do not charge in flight.
Headphones, Watches, And Trackers
These wearables use tiny lithium-ion or coin cells that sit far below the 100 Wh threshold. Keep them in your personal item. If a headset folds, place it so the ear cups do not press the power button.
Medical Devices
CPAPs, portable concentrators, and monitors usually meet the small-pack limits. If your device needs a 101–160 Wh pack, contact your airline early and bring the approval note to the gate.
Smart Luggage And Removable Batteries
Bags with built-in power banks need a removable battery. Take the pack out before checking the bag and carry it in the cabin with protected terminals. If the pack cannot be removed, treat the bag as a carry-on only.
Mobility Aids
Wheelchairs and scooters use larger batteries with special handling. Airlines accept them under separate rules and labeling. Coordinate with the carrier well ahead of time so staff can secure the device and protect any exposed terminals.
How To Read A Battery Label
Finding Watt-Hours
Look for “Wh” printed on the pack. If you only see mAh and volts, do the math: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. A 10,000 mAh, 3.7 V bank equals 37 Wh. Write it on a small sticker if the factory print is tiny.
Spotting Lithium Metal Content
Disposable lithium cells list grams of lithium on the box or data sheet. Most photo cells sit at or below 2 g per cell, which fits the small-cell lane. Multi-cell packs that exceed 2 g shift into the approval lane.
Reading Multi-Pack Labels
Some camera and light packs combine several cells into one module. The label should show a total Wh value. If you only see mAh, multiply by the pack voltage and divide by 1000. Mark the result with a fine pen so screeners can read it.
Country And Airline Differences
The baseline comes from global guidance, yet some carriers cap quantities, ban charging in flight, or ask you to keep power banks in seat pockets where crew can see them. Others ask you to tape switch guards or separate spares into individual bags. If your trip spans several carriers, pick the strictest rule and pack to match it from the start.
When Airline Approval Is Needed
Common Cases
- Lithium-ion packs between 101 and 160 Wh.
- Lithium metal cells that add up to 2–8 g per battery.
- Large camera lights and field monitors with V-mount or Gold-mount packs.
How To Ask
Send your airline a short note with the make, model, Wh rating, and how many spares you plan to carry. Attach a photo of the label. Keep the reply on your phone. At the airport, tell the agent you have approved batteries in your hand luggage so screening is smooth.
What To Do If A Battery Heats Up
Leave the device unplugged. Place it on a hard, non-flammable surface in easy view. Call a crew member right away. If smoke appears, the crew has training and the right tools. Do not place jackets over the item with jackets or place it in a bin.
Common Mistakes That Cause Confiscation
Loose Cells Rolling In A Pocket
Even one coin can bridge a terminal. Keep every cell in a sleeve or small bag. That single habit prevents a long chat at security.
Hidden Power Banks In Checked Bags
Gate agents often pull these after an x-ray flag. Move every bank to your cabin bag before you hand a suitcase over.
No Visible Capacity Label
Screeners need to see Wh or lithium content. If the print has rubbed off, write the number clearly or bring a product sheet on your phone.
Too Many Medium Spares
That 150 Wh V-mount might be fine with approval, but carrying four of them usually is not. Plan your shoot kit around the two-spare norm.
Transit And Gate-Check Situations
At Security
Place power banks, large camera packs, and any spares in a tray on top, just like laptops. Fast visibility earns fast screening.
During Layovers
Keep batteries in sight. If a connection requires a security rescreen, present the same tidy layout again. Small clear pouches help you move quickly.
If A Carry-On Is Gate-Checked
Remove every spare and power bank before the bag goes below the wing. Place them in your personal item. Tell the agent you are removing batteries to comply with the cabin-only rule.
Edge Cases And Workarounds
Tools With Removable Packs
Many compact drills and air pumps use 12–20 V lithium-ion modules. Packs tend to be below 100 Wh, so they ride in the cabin as spares. Remove the pack from the tool and cap the contacts.
Portable Power Stations
Most consumer power stations exceed 160 Wh. Those units cannot fly with passengers. Rent one at your destination or ship by ground or cargo.
RC Hobby Packs
Lithium polymer hobby packs often carry high energy ratings. Check the Wh. Use rigid fire-resistant sleeves and balance-lead caps for transport.
Simple Packing Checklist
- All spares in the cabin, each protected against short circuit.
- Device power fully off; no sleep mode.
- Capacity labels readable; bring a tiny list of your Wh ratings.
- Two medium spares max if your packs are 101–160 Wh and the airline says yes.
- No packs above 160 Wh in passenger bags.
Trusted Rules You Can Read
If you want the source text, see the FAA PackSafe lithium battery rules, the TSA power bank policy, and the IATA passenger lithium battery guidance.