Lithium batteries are banned from checked luggage on commercial flights in the United States
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prohibit lithium batteries in checked baggage on all commercial passenger flights. This rule applies to both domestic and international travel. Lithium batteries can go in your carry-on bag under specific conditions, but checked luggage is off-limits entirely.
The reason is fire risk. Lithium batteries can overheat, catch fire, and spread rapidly in the cargo hold where crew cannot reach them. A fire in checked baggage is far more dangerous than one in the cabin, where it can be detected and addressed when ready. The FAA has documented cargo plane crashes caused by lithium battery fires, which is why the restrictions exist.
This rule covers any device containing a lithium battery — not just loose batteries themselves. A phone, laptop, power bank, e-reader, camera, or smartwatch in checked luggage violates the rule.
Key Takeaways
- Lithium batteries and devices containing them cannot go in checked baggage on any commercial U.S. flight, domestic or international.
- You can carry lithium batteries in carry-on luggage if they are installed in a device (like a phone or laptop) or are spare batteries in a protective case, up to a reasonable quantity.
- The ban covers all lithium battery types: lithium-ion, lithium-metal, and rechargeable lithium batteries in any device.
- If you forget a device with a lithium battery in checked luggage, tell a crew member or TSA officer before boarding — do not attempt to retrieve it yourself.
What counts as a lithium battery for airline rules
A lithium battery is any battery made with lithium metal or lithium compounds. This includes the batteries in phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, e-readers, smartwatches, wireless headphones, portable speakers, and power banks. It also includes spare batteries you pack separately.
The rule does not distinguish between new and used batteries, or between fully charged and dead ones. A dead phone in your checked bag still violates the rule because the battery is still there.
Alkaline batteries (the standard AA, AAA, C, D batteries in most household items) are allowed in checked luggage. Lithium batteries are the specific concern.
Carry-on rules for lithium batteries
Lithium batteries are allowed in carry-on luggage under these conditions: the battery must be installed in a device (a phone, laptop, camera), or it must be a spare battery in a protective case that prevents short circuits. You can carry one or two spare lithium batteries in carry-on, though some airlines set lower limits — check with your carrier before packing.
Larger lithium batteries (those over 100 watt-hours) require airline approval before you board. A typical phone battery is around 10 to 20 watt-hours, so most personal devices do not need pre-approval. A laptop battery is usually 40 to 100 watt-hours. If you are unsure, contact your airline before your flight.
Keep lithium batteries and devices containing them in your carry-on bag where you can monitor them. Do not pack them in a checked bag under any circumstance, even if you think the airline might allow it — they will not.
What happens if you pack a lithium battery in checked luggage
If TSA discovers a lithium battery in your checked bag during screening, your bag will be removed from the flight. You will be notified, and the battery or device will be confiscated. You will not be refunded for the item, and your flight may be delayed.
If a lithium battery fire starts in the cargo hold during flight, the crew has limited options to stop it. Modern cargo planes have fire suppression systems, but a lithium battery fire burns hot and fast. This is why the FAA treats the rule as non-negotiable.
If you realize after checking your bag that you packed a device with a lithium battery, tell a TSA officer or crew member when ready. Do not try to open your checked bag yourself or retrieve it from the baggage area. The airline can remove the item before the flight departs.
International flights and other countries' rules
The lithium battery ban in checked luggage applies to all flights departing from the United States, regardless of destination. If you are flying internationally, the U.S. rule applies on the outbound flight.
Other countries have similar rules. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets standards that most airlines worldwide follow, including the lithium battery ban in checked baggage. If you are flying from another country to the U.S., that country's airline will enforce the same restriction.
Some countries have additional restrictions on the quantity of spare batteries you can carry in carry-on luggage. Before an international flight, check your airline's specific policy on your booking confirmation or website.
Alternatives if you need devices on your flight
Pack all devices with lithium batteries in your carry-on bag. This includes your phone, laptop, tablet, camera, and any power banks. Most travelers do this anyway because they want access to these items during the flight.
If you are traveling with a large device like a laptop or camera that you do not want to carry through the airport, ship it to your destination ahead of time using a ground shipping service. This costs money but avoids the hassle of carrying it and the risk of confiscation.
If you are checking a bag and realize you have packed a device, remove it before you check the bag. Open your carry-on and move the item there, even if it means rearranging what you packed.
Devices that sometimes confuse travelers
Power banks and portable chargers contain lithium batteries and must go in carry-on luggage. They cannot be checked. The same applies to wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and fitness trackers — all contain lithium batteries and all must be carried on.
E-readers like Kindle devices contain lithium batteries and must be in carry-on. Portable gaming devices like Nintendo Switch or PlayStation Vita contain lithium batteries and must be carried on. Vaping devices and e-cigarettes contain lithium batteries and are subject to the same rule (though some airlines ban them entirely).
Hoverboards, self-balancing scooters, and similar devices with large lithium batteries are banned from both checked and carry-on luggage on most airlines. Check your airline's website before packing any device you are unsure about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pack my phone in checked luggage if I turn it off?
No. The power state of the device does not matter. A powered-off phone still contains a lithium battery, and the rule bans all lithium batteries from checked baggage. The battery must be in your carry-on bag.
What if my airline says lithium batteries are okay in checked luggage?
No U.S. airline is permitted to allow this. The FAA rule applies to all commercial carriers. If an airline employee tells you it is okay, they are mistaken. Do not check a lithium battery based on that information — pack it in carry-on instead.
Are rechargeable batteries different from regular lithium batteries?
No. Rechargeable lithium batteries (lithium-ion) are covered by the same ban as non-rechargeable lithium batteries. Both types are prohibited in checked luggage.
Can I mail a lithium battery to my destination instead of flying with it?
Lithium batteries are also restricted in the mail and in ground shipping. The U.S. Postal Service does not accept them. UPS and FedEx have strict rules about shipping lithium batteries and require special packaging and labeling. Shipping is possible but complicated and expensive. Carrying the device in your carry-on bag is simpler.
What if I have a medical device with a lithium battery, like a pacemaker?
Medical devices implanted in your body are not subject to the luggage rule. If you wear a pacemaker, insulin pump, or similar device, you do not need to remove it or declare it. If you carry a portable medical device with a lithium battery (like a portable oxygen concentrator), contact your airline before your flight to confirm their policy, as some medical devices have different rules.