Guidelines for Batteries
Most batteries are generally safe for air travel. Infrequently, batteries can short-circuit and overheat and in some cases cause sparks or a fire. This page provides tips for travelling with batteries, including how to properly pack spare batteries.
- Keep all batteries and electronic devices containing batteries on you or packed in your carry-on baggage.
- Not all airlines allow lithium batteries carried in personal devices such as laptops or cell phones in checked baggage. Please consult your airline for more information.
- Not all airlines allow alkaline batteries (e.g. AAA, AA, C, D, 9-volt, etc.) carried in checked baggage. Please consult your airline for more information.
- Do not carry damaged or recalled batteries on the plane.
Examples of lithium batteries
- Small lithium batteries and cells (<100Wh) - mobile phones, cameras, watches, portable music players, most original laptop computer batteries
- Medium lithium batteries and cells (100-160Wh) - extended life batteries for laptop computers and batteries used by audiovisual professionals
- Large lithium batteries and cells (>160Wh) - found in some electric and hybrid vehicles, mobility devices or scooters
|
Spare battery or in device |
Watt-hour (Wh) rating |
Carry-on |
Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
In device |
<100Wh |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Spare |
<100Wh |
Yes |
Permitted only with air carrier approval |
|
In device |
100-160 Wh |
Yes |
Permitted only with air carrier approval |
|
Spare |
100-160 Wh |
Maximum of 2 individually protected spares per person with air carrier approval |
Permitted only with air carrier approval |
|
In device |
>160Wh |
No |
Permitted only with air carrier approval |
|
Spare |
>160Wh |
No |
Permitted only with air carrier approval |
Packing spare batteries
- Don’t let a loose battery come into contact with metal objects (e.g. coins, keys, or jewelry).
- Place each battery in a protective case, plastic bag, or leave it in its original packaging when possible. You can also place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals (noted by the + and – symbols) to prevent short-circuiting.
- Prevent crushing, puncturing, or putting a pressure on the battery, as this can cause an internal shortcircuit and result in overheating.
Batteries for wheelchairs, mobility aids and medical devices
- Batteries for wheelchairs and other battery-powered personal mobility aids must meet yourairline’s approval and be shown to the screening officer. Please consult your airline for more information.
- Batteries used to power portable medical devices, such as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, may be carried onboard but may require your airline’s approval. Please consult your airline for more information.
Battery-powered devices in checked baggage
- If you must carry a battery-powered device in your checked baggage, such as a power tool like a nail gun or saw that isn’t permitted in carry-on, be sure to package it in a protective case to prevent it from turning on accidentally. If there is an on/off switch or a safety switch, tape it in the "off" position.
Want to know more about what you can and can’t bring on the plane? Use our What Can I Bring? search tool or visit the Travel Advice section of our website.
