Most batteries cannot go in checked luggage — they must travel in your carry-on bag

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) prohibit most batteries in checked baggage because they pose a fire risk in the cargo hold. Lithium batteries — the kind in phones, laptops, and power banks — are the main concern. They can overheat, catch fire, and spread in an unpressurized cargo area where crew cannot reach them. The rule applies to nearly all commercial flights in the United States and internationally.

Some common household batteries are permitted in checked bags under specific conditions, but the safest approach is to pack all batteries in your carry-on instead. If you must check a bag with batteries, you need to know which types are allowed and how to pack them safely.

Key Takeaways

  • Lithium batteries — including those in phones, laptops, tablets, and power banks — must go in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage.
  • Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) are permitted in checked bags only if they are installed in a device and the device is protected from accidental set up.
  • Spare alkaline batteries in their original packaging may be allowed in checked bags on some airlines, but policies vary; contact your airline before packing.
  • Lithium batteries in checked bags can result in your luggage being removed from the flight, delayed, or confiscated without compensation.
  • The safest option is to pack all batteries in your carry-on bag, where crew can monitor them if a problem occurs.

Why lithium batteries are banned from checked luggage

Lithium batteries generate heat when they short-circuit or are damaged, and they can ignite spontaneously. In the pressurized cabin where you sit, a fire can be detected and fought. In the unpressurized cargo hold below, a fire can spread undetected and become uncontrollable. The TSA and IATA have documented incidents of lithium battery fires causing aircraft damage and, in rare cases, loss of the aircraft.

This applies to any battery with lithium chemistry, including lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries. These are standard in modern electronics: phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, e-readers, smartwatches, wireless headphones, portable speakers, and power banks all contain lithium batteries. Even a single spare lithium battery in your checked bag violates the rule.

Which batteries are allowed in checked bags

Alkaline batteries — the common AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries used in flashlights, remote controls, and toys — are generally permitted in checked luggage. However, the rules depend on how they are packed and whether they are installed in a device.

Alkaline batteries installed in a device: If the batteries power a device you are checking (a flashlight, toy, or remote control), they must be protected from accidental set up. This means the device should be off, or the battery compartment should be taped shut so the device cannot turn on during handling. The TSA allows this because the device itself prevents the battery from short-circuiting.

Spare alkaline batteries: Spare alkaline batteries in their original retail packaging are permitted on some airlines in checked bags, but policies vary. Some carriers allow them; others do not. Before packing spare alkaline batteries in checked luggage, contact your airline directly to confirm their policy. If you are flying internationally, check the rules of both your departure and arrival countries, as restrictions differ.

Rechargeable alkaline batteries: These are treated differently from single-use alkaline batteries and may have stricter rules. Confirm with your airline before packing.

What to do with lithium batteries before your flight

If you have devices with lithium batteries — phones, laptops, cameras, power banks — they must go in your carry-on bag. The TSA allows one lithium battery-powered device per person in carry-on luggage, plus up to two spare lithium batteries in their original protective cases or with terminals taped to prevent short-circuit.

If you are traveling with multiple devices or spare batteries beyond what carry-on allows, you have a few options. You can mail items to your destination ahead of time, ship them separately after your trip, or leave them at home. Some travelers also ask a friend or family member to carry an extra device, though this only works if that person is traveling with you on the same flight.

Do not attempt to pack lithium batteries in checked luggage by hiding them or labeling them differently. Airlines screen checked bags with X-ray machines and can detect batteries. If prohibited batteries are found, your bag will be removed from the flight, and you may face fines or other penalties.

International travel and battery rules

Rules for batteries on international flights are set by IATA and enforced by individual countries. Most countries follow the same restrictions as the TSA, but some are stricter. For example, some countries prohibit lithium batteries in carry-on bags entirely on certain routes, or limit the number of spare batteries you can bring.

If you are flying internationally, check the regulations of your departure airport, your destination airport, and any connecting airports. Your airline's website usually lists these rules, or you can call the airline directly. Rules also change periodically, so confirm even if you have flown the same route before.

How to pack batteries safely in carry-on luggage

If you are bringing lithium batteries in your carry-on bag, pack them where you can reach them quickly. Do not pack them at the bottom of a bag under other items. Keep spare lithium batteries in their original protective cases or with the terminals (the metal contacts) covered with non-conductive tape, such as clear tape or painter's tape. This prevents the battery from touching metal objects and short-circuiting.

Keep lithium batteries away from liquids and away from metal objects like coins, keys, or jewelry. If a battery's case is cracked or damaged, do not pack it at all — leave it at home or dispose of it safely before your trip.

What happens if prohibited batteries are found

If a prohibited battery is discovered in your checked bag during screening, the bag will be removed from the flight. You will be notified, but your flight may depart without your luggage. The battery may be confiscated, and you may face fines depending on the airline and the severity of the violation. In some cases, you may be banned from flying with that airline in the future.

If a prohibited battery is found in your carry-on bag at the security checkpoint, you will be asked to remove it. You can then choose to leave it at the airport, mail it to your destination, or return it to your car or home. You will not be allowed to bring it through security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pack a phone or laptop in my checked bag if the battery is inside?

No. Phones, laptops, and tablets contain lithium batteries and must travel in your carry-on bag, even if the device is powered off. The battery itself is the hazard, not whether the device is on or off.

Are power banks allowed in checked luggage?

No. Power banks are lithium batteries and must go in your carry-on bag. They are prohibited in checked luggage under all circumstances.

Can I pack batteries if I tape them or put them in a plastic bag?

Taping or bagging prohibited batteries does not make them safe for checked luggage. The rule is based on the battery type itself, not how it is packaged. Lithium batteries must be in carry-on bags regardless of how they are wrapped.

What if my airline's website does not list battery rules?

Call the airline's customer service line directly. Battery rules are specific to each carrier, and a phone call is the fastest way to get a clear answer for your flight. Have your flight number and departure date ready when you call.

Can I check a bag with alkaline batteries if I remove the batteries from the device?

Spare alkaline batteries in checked bags are allowed on some airlines but not others. Contact your airline before packing. If they are permitted, keep them in their original packaging or with terminals taped to prevent short-circuit. Never pack them loose in your bag.