Yes—some batteries can be checked, but spare lithium and power banks are banned; only installed batteries in devices may go in checked bags with safeguards.
Not Allowed
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On Rules
- Spare lithium ≤100 Wh in cabin
- Up to two spares 101–160 Wh with airline approval
- E-cigs stay in the cabin
Cabin
Checked Bag Rules
- No loose lithium or power banks
- Installed batteries only; device fully off
- Remove smart-bag battery before check-in
Hold
Special Handling
- Mobility aids and large packs need pre-approval
- Label watt-hours; protect terminals
- Ask carrier for exact limits
Approval
Taking Batteries In Checked Luggage: What’s Allowed
Airlines treat batteries by chemistry and size. Installed cells inside laptops, cameras, or shavers can ride in the hold when the device is fully shut down and packed to prevent activation. Loose lithium cells and power banks stay in the cabin. Dry cells such as AA alkaline or NiMH can ride in either bag when the terminals are capped or boxed.
Add soft padding around gear. Pack items so nothing shifts in transit. Use pouches.
Rules exist to prevent fire. Cabin crew can respond fast in the aisle. That is why spares with lithium chemistry stay near you. The same logic applies when a carry-on gets gate checked. Pull spares and e-cigarettes before handing the bag over.
| Battery Type | Checked Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion spare, lithium-metal spare, power bank | No | Carry-on only; cap terminals and pack singly. |
| Lithium-ion installed in device | Yes* | Device off; protect from switch-on; typical limit ≤100 Wh. |
| Lithium-ion spare 101–160 Wh | No | Carry-on only; usually up to two with airline approval. |
| Dry alkaline or NiMH (AA/AAA/C/D/9V) | Yes | In device or as spares in either bag; cap terminals. |
| Lead-acid spillable, car battery | No | Not for passenger bags; only permitted when properly shipped. |
| Smart luggage with non-removable lithium battery | No | Only accepted if the battery can be removed before check-in. |
Airline policies can narrow these allowances. When your route crosses borders, match the strictest line between the airline and the national authority that sets screening rules. A quick link on your phone to the battery page for your carrier saves time at the counter.
Installed Batteries In Devices: The Safe Way To Check
Checking a device with a built-in battery starts with the power state. Shut the device down. Do not use sleep. Pack it so the power switch cannot be pressed. A slim book or case helps. Wrap the item gently so it does not move inside the suitcase.
Next, check watt-hours. Most laptops, cameras, and drones ship with packs under 100 Wh. That range is treated as consumer size. Some pro cameras or medical devices use packs between 101 and 160 Wh. Those larger packs can sit in a device in the hold on many carriers, yet spares of that size belong in the cabin and often need airline sign-off in advance.
Printer toner and regular printer cartridges are fine to check. Vape devices are not. Keep any vape pen and its spares with you in the cabin, and keep it off for the entire trip.
Lithium Spare Batteries And Power Banks: Cabin Only
Loose lithium cells and any portable charger stay in your carry-on. See the TSA power bank rule. That includes camera spares, drone packs, and phone charging cases. Place each cell in a small box or plastic sleeve. Tape over any exposed terminals. Spread the cells across pockets so nothing presses on them during boarding.
If a gate agent needs to tag your cabin bag, move every spare cell to a jacket or small personal item before surrendering the handle. If you forget and a spare slips into the hold, speak to the crew at once. They know the drill and can help.
Alkaline And NiMH: Simple Rules That Work
AA and AAA are the easiest case. Those dry cells do not pose the same risk as lithium. You can check them or carry them. Cap the tips with tape or keep them in a retail pack. Do the same with 9V so the two prongs do not touch metal. Rechargeable NiMH cells follow the same pattern. Store a compact charger in your carry-on for quick swaps at the hotel.
Watt-Hours, Sizes, And Real-World Limits
Most labels list milliamp-hours and voltage. To get watt-hours, multiply Ah by volts. If the label shows only mAh, divide by 1000 first. Packs up to 100 Wh fit the standard cabin rule. Two spares up to 160 Wh often pass with airline approval. Cells above 160 Wh do not ride with passengers. Those need a cargo process.
Camera and light kits sometimes bundle many smaller spares. Quantity limits apply. Airlines usually cap the count of spares per person, even for small packs. Check your carrier’s page if you plan to bring a full kit.
Common Devices And How To Pack Them
Laptops, Tablets, And E-Readers
These can be checked when the battery is built in and the device is fully off, yet most travelers keep them in the cabin for care and speed at security. If you do check one, add a sleeve, pad both sides with clothes, and disable wake features.
Cameras And Drones
Bodies and lenses can go in the hold when padded. Keep spares with you. Many drone packs sit near 100 Wh. Label them. Some airlines ask that you cap them at a set state of charge. A small lipo-safe pouch adds a layer of containment inside your cabin bag.
Shavers, Toothbrushes, And Small Grooming Gear
These ride fine in the hold once switched off. Remove any clip-on heads and pack them in a pouch so nothing presses on the on button. If the handle vibrates when squeezed, move it to the cabin to avoid a baggage alarm.
Power Tools
Tool bodies can be checked. Lithium tool packs are spares and stay in carry-on. Many are under 100 Wh and fit the cabin rule. Use rubber caps or a small box to cap the rails.
International Flights: Same Idea, Small Tweaks
Most regions point to a shared technical code for passenger bags. The IATA passenger lithium guide uses the same watt-hour bands. Some regions add notes on state of charge, numbers of spares, or approval steps for mobility aids. On a multi-stop route, match the strictest leg. A printout of the airline page quiets desk debates fast.
Second Reference Table: Devices And Packing Calls
| Item | Where It Goes | Packing Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Phone power bank | Carry-on | Pouch or box; no checked bag placement. |
| Laptop with built-in pack | Either | Fully off; padded; no sleep mode. |
| Mirrorless camera + two spares | Body: either; spares: carry-on | Cap terminals; store each spare alone. |
| AA alkaline or NiMH spares | Either | Retail pack or tape over tips. |
| Drone with three packs | Drone: either; spares: carry-on | Label Wh; lipo-safe pouch in cabin. |
| Vape device and pods | Carry-on | Switch off; keep away from heat sources. |
| Smart suitcase with removable battery | Checked after battery removal | Remove and carry the battery in the cabin. |
Prep Checklist Before You Fly
- Sort by chemistry: lithium spares and power banks in the cabin; dry cells can ride in either bag.
- Shut every device down and block switches. Sleep is not enough.
- Cap or tape every exposed terminal. Use caps, tape, or retail packs.
- Spread spares across pockets. Avoid pressure points in a tight backpack.
- Label watt-hours on large packs. Keep airline approvals in your email.
- Remove e-cigarettes and spares when a cabin bag is tagged at the gate.
Troubleshooting Edge Cases
Mobility Aids
Powered wheelchairs and scooters need a battery label and an approval step. Many carriers secure the device and ask that you carry any removable batteries. Reach out to the airline desk at booking so the ground team is ready.
CPAP And Medical Packs
Medical spares count under the same watt-hour bands. Keep documentation in the carry-on. A clear label helps at the search table.
Smart Bags
If the battery cannot be removed, the bag cannot be checked. If the pack pops out, check the bag after removal and keep the pack with you.
Damaged Or Swollen Batteries: Do Not Pack
Any cell that looks puffy, leaks, smells odd, or runs hot belongs at a recycling point, not in a suitcase. Place the item in a non-flammable spot, contact the maker or a local battery drop-off site. Keep damaged cells away from paper, clothing, and metal. Do not tape a bulging pouch shut. Do not try to discharge a faulty pack. Hand it to trained staff.
Heat, Pressure, And Seasonal Tips
Planes fly through cold air, yet cargo holds stay within a safe band. Pack with extra care. The bigger risk sits on the ground. Cars can bake a bag. Pack batteries inside the suitcase, not in exterior pockets.