TSA and Airline Rules for Batteries in Luggage
You can pack batteries in your carry-on bag, but the rules are stricter for checked luggage. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows most common batteries — AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, and button cells — in carry-on bags without limit. However, spare batteries cannot go in checked baggage at all. Batteries installed in devices like cameras, laptops, or electric toothbrushes are allowed in checked bags, but loose or spare batteries must stay in your carry-on.
This rule exists because lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire if damaged or short-circuited in the cargo hold, where fires cannot be detected or fought. Airlines enforce this rule consistently across all carriers, though some have additional restrictions on the number of batteries you can bring in carry-on bags.
The rules change for lithium batteries, which are common in phones, laptops, and power banks. Lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries have stricter limits in both carry-on and checked bags. You should check your specific airline's website before packing, because some carriers set their own limits below the TSA standard.
Key Takeaways
- Spare alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) can go in carry-on bags but not in checked luggage.
- Batteries installed in devices like laptops, cameras, and power tools are allowed in checked bags, but only one spare battery of the same type per device.
- Lithium batteries have stricter rules: you can bring two spare lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries in carry-on bags only, and they must be in your personal item or carry-on, not checked.
- Damaged, recalled, or defective batteries cannot be packed in either carry-on or checked luggage.
- Your airline may have rules stricter than the TSA standard, so check before you pack.
Alkaline Batteries: Carry-On Only for Spares
Standard alkaline batteries — the kind you buy in multipacks at any drugstore — are safe to pack in carry-on luggage in any quantity. You do not need to declare them or remove them from your bag at security. The TSA considers them low-risk because they are unlikely to short-circuit or overheat during flight.
If you have a device that uses alkaline batteries and you want to bring a spare, pack the spare in your carry-on bag. Do not put spare alkaline batteries in checked luggage. If the battery is installed in the device itself — say, a flashlight or a portable radio — the whole device can go in checked baggage.
Lithium Batteries: The Stricter Category
Lithium batteries power most modern electronics: phones, laptops, tablets, power banks, and wireless headphones. The TSA limits you to two spare lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries in carry-on bags only. These batteries must be in your personal item (backpack, purse, messenger bag) or your rolling carry-on, not in a checked bag under any circumstance.
Each spare battery must have a capacity of no more than 100 watt-hours (Wh) for lithium-ion or 2 grams of lithium metal for lithium-metal batteries. If you are unsure of the capacity, check the battery label or the device manual. Batteries over these limits require special approval and are usually not allowed on passenger flights.
Devices with lithium batteries installed — your phone, laptop, or camera — can go in checked baggage, but you can bring only one spare battery per device type. If you have two phones, you can pack one spare battery for each phone in your carry-on, but not three spares for one phone.
Batteries Installed in Devices Versus Spare Batteries
The TSA distinguishes between batteries that are part of a device and batteries you are carrying separately. A battery soldered into a laptop or built into a phone is treated differently from a loose battery in your bag.
Devices with installed batteries can go in checked luggage. This includes laptops, tablets, cameras, electric razors, and power tools. You can pack as many devices as you want in checked baggage, as long as the batteries are installed and the devices are off or in sleep mode.
Spare batteries — batteries not installed in anything — follow the stricter rules. Alkaline spares go in carry-on only. Lithium spares go in carry-on only, and you are limited to two per person. If you have a spare battery for your camera and a spare for your laptop, that is two batteries total, not two per device.
Damaged, Recalled, and Defective Batteries
Do not pack any battery that is swollen, leaking, cracked, or recalled. Damaged batteries are a fire hazard and are prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage. If a battery has been recalled by the manufacturer, do not bring it on a plane at all.
Before you pack, check the manufacturer's website or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) database to see if your battery or device has been recalled. Swollen batteries are especially common in older phones and laptops — if your device feels puffy or the battery looks enlarged, do not pack it.
What to Do at Security Screening
You do not need to remove batteries from your carry-on bag at the security checkpoint. The TSA screening equipment can see them, and they are allowed. If you are carrying spare lithium batteries, you can leave them in your bag or remove them — either way is fine, but removing them can speed up screening if the agent wants to inspect them.
If you are unsure whether a battery meets the rules, tell the TSA officer before screening begins. They can check the label or capacity with you and let you know whether it can go through. If a battery is not allowed, you will have to leave it behind or mail it to your destination.
Airline-Specific Rules and Exceptions
Most airlines follow TSA rules, but some set stricter limits. A few carriers restrict the number of spare lithium batteries to one instead of two, or they prohibit certain battery types entirely. Budget airlines and international carriers sometimes have different rules than major U.S. carriers.
Check your airline's website before you pack. Look for their baggage policy or prohibited items list. If you cannot find the information online, call the airline's baggage desk and ask about batteries. This takes five minutes and can save you from having to surrender batteries at the gate.
If you are flying internationally, the rules may be stricter. Some countries prohibit lithium batteries in carry-on or checked baggage entirely. If your destination is outside the United States, check the aviation authority's rules for that country before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pack a power bank in my checked luggage?
No. Power banks contain lithium batteries and must go in carry-on baggage only. You can bring up to two spare power banks in your carry-on, as long as each one is no more than 100 watt-hours. Check the label on the bottom of the power bank for the capacity in mAh or Wh.
What if my laptop battery is swollen?
Do not pack it. A swollen battery is a fire hazard and is prohibited on all flights. Contact the laptop manufacturer about a replacement battery, or have the battery removed by a technician before you travel. If you need the laptop for your trip, you can bring it with a new battery installed.
Can I bring batteries for my electric toothbrush or razor?
If the battery is installed in the device, yes — the device can go in checked or carry-on baggage. If you have a spare battery for the device, it depends on the battery type. Alkaline spares go in carry-on only. Lithium spares go in carry-on only, limited to two per person.
Do I need to tell the airline I am bringing batteries?
No. You do not need to declare batteries to the airline or TSA. Just pack them according to the rules and go through security normally. If an agent asks about them, answer honestly about the type and quantity.
What happens if I accidentally pack batteries in checked luggage?
If TSA screening finds prohibited batteries in your checked bag, the bag will be held and you will be contacted. You may have to remove the batteries before the bag is loaded, or the entire bag may be delayed. To avoid this, pack all spare batteries in your carry-on before you arrive at the airport.