Battery banks are allowed on planes, but only in your carry-on bag, and they must meet specific size limits set by the FAA and TSA.

You can bring a portable battery bank (also called a power bank) through airport security and onto the plane with you. The device must stay in your carry-on luggage or personal item — never in checked baggage. This rule exists because lithium batteries can overheat if damaged or short-circuited, and the cargo hold has no way to monitor or fight a fire, while the cabin does.

The size limit is based on watt-hours (Wh), a measure of the battery's energy capacity. The FAA allows battery banks up to 100 Wh without special permission. Most portable battery banks sold for phones and tablets fall well under this limit — a typical 20,000 mAh power bank is around 74 Wh. If your battery bank is between 100 Wh and 160 Wh, you can bring it, but you must get written permission from the airline before you travel. Anything over 160 Wh is forbidden on passenger planes.

Key Takeaways

  • Battery banks must go in your carry-on bag or personal item, never in checked luggage.
  • Most phone chargers (under 100 Wh) need no special permission; check your device's manual or label for the watt-hour rating.
  • Battery banks between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require written approval from your airline before you board.
  • If you cannot find the watt-hour rating, contact the manufacturer or the airline's baggage office before you pack.

How to Find Your Battery Bank's Watt-Hour Rating

The watt-hour (Wh) number is usually printed on the battery bank itself, often on a sticker on the back or bottom. Look for "Wh" or "Watt-hours" — you may also see "mAh" (milliamp-hours) and "V" (volts), but watt-hours is what the TSA and FAA use. If the label shows mAh and volts but not Wh, you can calculate it: multiply mAh by volts and divide by 1,000. For example, a 20,000 mAh battery at 3.7 volts is roughly 74 Wh.

If you cannot find the rating on the device, check the original box, the user manual, or the manufacturer's website. Many retailers also list the Wh in the product description. When in doubt, contact the airline's baggage or security office with the battery bank's model number — they can tell you whether it meets the limit and whether you need permission.

What Happens If Your Battery Bank Exceeds the Limit

If your battery bank is over 160 Wh, you cannot bring it on a passenger plane at all, even with permission. You will have to leave it at home, ship it separately, or buy a smaller one. Some travelers choose to mail a high-capacity battery bank to their destination instead of traveling with it.

If your battery bank is between 100 Wh and 160 Wh, you must contact your airline before your flight and request written permission. Not all airlines grant this permission, and some charge a fee. The airline will tell you whether to bring a letter or confirmation number to the airport. Do not assume permission — call or email the airline's baggage department at least a week before you travel.

Rules for Multiple Battery Banks

You can bring more than one battery bank, but the total capacity matters. The FAA allows up to two battery banks per person, as long as each one is under 100 Wh and they are both in your carry-on. If either one exceeds 100 Wh, you need airline permission for each one, and the airline may refuse both.

Spare lithium batteries (loose batteries not installed in a device) have stricter rules. You can bring up to two spare batteries, but only if each is under 100 Wh and they are in your carry-on. Spare batteries over 100 Wh are not allowed. If you are traveling with both a battery bank and spare batteries, count them together toward your two-battery limit.

What TSA Officers Will Check at Security

When you go through airport security, place your battery bank in a bin by itself or with your other electronics — do not bury it under clothes or other items. TSA officers may ask you to power it on to confirm it works, or they may scan it with X-ray machines. If the battery bank looks damaged, swollen, or leaking, TSA will not let it through, even if it is under the size limit. Do not try to bring a visibly damaged battery bank on a plane.

You do not need to remove the battery bank from your carry-on bag before you reach security, but having it easily accessible speeds up the screening process. If you are connecting to another flight, the same rules explore at each airport — your battery bank stays in your carry-on the whole time.

International Flights and Different Rules

If you are flying to another country, the rules may be stricter. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets guidelines that most airlines follow, but some countries have their own regulations. European airlines, for example, sometimes limit battery banks to 100 Wh with no exceptions. Before you book an international flight, check your airline's website or call their baggage office to confirm the battery bank rules for that route.

If you are flying from the United States to Canada, Mexico, or Europe, the 100 Wh / 160 Wh limits usually explore, but it is worth confirming with your specific airline. Some airlines are more restrictive than others, and rules can change. A quick phone call to the airline's baggage department takes five minutes and prevents problems at the airport.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not pack a battery bank in your checked baggage. Even if you think it is safe, TSA and the FAA prohibit it. If a battery bank overheats in the cargo hold, crew members cannot reach it or fight the fire. This is the single most common reason battery banks are confiscated at security.

Do not assume all battery banks under 100 Wh are the same. A 50 Wh battery bank and a 99 Wh battery bank are both allowed, but they are very different sizes and capacities. Check the actual rating on your device, not a guess based on how big it looks. Do not bring a battery bank that is visibly damaged, swollen, or leaking — TSA will confiscate it, and it is a fire hazard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a battery bank in my checked bag instead of carry-on?

No. Battery banks are only allowed in carry-on bags or personal items. The FAA prohibits them in checked luggage because fires in the cargo hold cannot be monitored or fought. If you pack a battery bank in checked baggage, it will be confiscated at security.

What if I do not know my battery bank's watt-hour rating?

Check the label on the back or bottom of the device, the original box, or the manufacturer's website. If you still cannot find it, contact the airline's baggage office with the model number — they can look it up. Do this before you go to the airport, not at security.

Do I need permission to bring a battery bank under 100 Wh?

No. Battery banks under 100 Wh do not require airline permission. Just pack it in your carry-on and bring it through security. If it is between 100 Wh and 160 Wh, you must contact the airline in advance and get written permission.

Can I bring two battery banks on the same flight?

Yes, you can bring up to two battery banks per person, as long as each one is under 100 Wh and both are in your carry-on. If either one is over 100 Wh, you need airline permission for each one, and the airline may refuse both.

What happens if TSA finds a battery bank in my checked bag?

TSA will confiscate it and may issue a fine. The battery bank will not be returned to you. To avoid this, always pack battery banks in your carry-on bag before you reach the airport.