Most batteries are banned from checked bags, but some common types are allowed
You cannot pack most batteries in checked luggage on commercial flights. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and international air transport rules treat batteries as dangerous goods because they can overheat, catch fire, or explode if damaged or short-circuited during flight. The rules differ sharply between checked bags and carry-on bags, and they depend on the battery type and size.
The main exception is non-rechargeable alkaline batteries — the standard AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt batteries you buy for household items. These are allowed in checked luggage in reasonable quantities (typically up to two spares per battery type). Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power phones and laptops, are almost always banned from checked bags. Lithium metal batteries, used in some cameras and emergency devices, are also banned from checked luggage.
If you are unsure whether a battery is allowed, the safest approach is to pack it in your carry-on bag instead, where the rules are less strict. If you must check a battery, contact your airline before you travel — rules vary slightly between carriers, and some airlines are stricter than the FAA minimum.
Key Takeaways
- Standard alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) are allowed in checked bags in small quantities, but rechargeable lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries are banned.
- Batteries must not be damaged, recalled, or showing signs of leakage, and loose batteries must be taped on the terminals to prevent short circuits.
- Carry-on bags allow more battery types and larger quantities than checked bags, so moving a battery to your carry-on is often the simplest solution.
- Airline rules vary slightly, so contact your carrier before packing any battery you are unsure about.
- Damaged or recalled batteries should not be packed in either checked or carry-on luggage.
Alkaline batteries are the only common type allowed in checked bags
Alkaline batteries — the disposable kind you buy in multipacks at any drugstore — are the only household batteries the FAA permits in checked luggage. This includes AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt sizes. You can pack up to two spare batteries of each type, though most travelers never need to check this many.
The reason alkaline batteries are allowed is that they are less likely to catch fire than rechargeable types. They generate less heat during normal use and are less prone to thermal runaway, the chain reaction that causes a battery to overheat and ignite. Because checked baggage is not monitored during flight, the FAA restricts anything with a higher fire risk.
If the batteries are loose (not installed in a device), you must tape the positive and negative terminals with non-conductive tape — clear tape or electrical tape works — to prevent them from touching other metal objects and creating a short circuit. Many travelers skip this step because they assume tape is unnecessary, but it is a requirement. If a battery terminal touches a metal object in your bag, it can generate heat and potentially start a fire.
Lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries are banned from checked luggage
Lithium-ion batteries power most modern devices: smartphones, tablets, laptops, power banks, and wireless headphones. These batteries are banned from checked luggage entirely, with no exceptions for spares. The FAA treats them as dangerous goods because they can catch fire if damaged or if a manufacturing defect causes internal short-circuiting.
Lithium metal batteries are also banned from checked bags. These are less common in everyday life but appear in some cameras, emergency backup power supplies, and older electronic devices. If you are not sure whether a battery is lithium metal or lithium-ion, check the device manual or the battery label — it will say "lithium metal" or "lithium ion" explicitly.
The ban applies even if the battery is installed in a device. A laptop in your checked bag is not allowed. A phone in your checked bag is not allowed. The only exception is if the device is powered off and the battery is in good condition — but even then, most airlines recommend against it. The safest approach is to pack any device with a lithium battery in your carry-on bag instead.
Damaged, recalled, or leaking batteries cannot be packed at all
Any battery that is damaged, swollen, leaking, or subject to a manufacturer recall cannot be packed in either checked or carry-on luggage. This rule applies to all battery types, including alkaline batteries. A swollen battery is a sign that the internal chemistry is breaking down and a fire is possible.
If you notice a battery is leaking, do not touch it with bare hands. Place it in a plastic bag, seal the bag, and dispose of it at a hazardous waste facility or a retailer that accepts used batteries (many electronics stores and some supermarkets have collection bins). Do not throw it in the trash or try to fly with it.
Before you pack any battery, inspect it for visible damage, corrosion, or swelling. If you are unsure, leave it at home and buy a replacement at your destination.
Carry-on bags allow more battery types and larger quantities
The rules for carry-on luggage are more permissive than for checked bags. You can bring lithium-ion batteries in your carry-on — in fact, this is the only place you are allowed to bring them on a flight. You can pack a phone, laptop, tablet, power bank, or spare lithium-ion batteries in your carry-on bag without restriction, as long as the batteries are not damaged.
You can also bring more alkaline batteries in your carry-on than in your checked bag. While checked luggage is limited to two spares per type, carry-on bags allow reasonable quantities for personal use. If you are traveling with multiple devices that need batteries, packing them in your carry-on is the simplest solution.
The advantage of carry-on is that the flight crew can monitor the bag and respond quickly if a battery overheats. Checked baggage is in an unpressurized cargo hold where a fire cannot be easily detected or fought, which is why the rules are stricter.
How to pack batteries safely in checked luggage
If you are packing alkaline batteries in checked luggage, follow these steps to pack them safely. First, make sure the batteries are not damaged or leaking. Second, if the batteries are loose, tape the positive and negative terminals with clear or electrical tape. Third, place the batteries in a separate plastic bag or small container so they cannot roll around and contact other metal objects in your luggage.
Do not pack batteries in the same compartment as metal objects, electronics, or liquids. Do not pack them in the bottom of your bag where they might be crushed by heavier items. If you are checking multiple bags, distribute the batteries across different bags rather than packing them all in one.
Label your bag clearly if it contains batteries, though this is not required by the FAA. Some travelers write "batteries inside" on a luggage tag as a reminder to baggage handlers, but it is not necessary for alkaline batteries in small quantities.
What to do if you are unsure about a specific battery
If you have a battery you are unsure about, the safest approach is to pack it in your carry-on bag instead of your checked bag. Carry-on rules are more permissive, and you can bring the battery with you through security screening. If the TSA or your airline has a question about it, they will ask you at the checkpoint, and you can explain or remove it.
You can also contact your airline before you travel. Most airlines have a customer service line or a website section dedicated to baggage rules. Tell them the battery type and size, and they will tell you whether it is allowed in checked luggage on your specific flight. This takes a few minutes and removes all doubt.
If you are flying internationally, check the rules for your destination country as well. Some countries have stricter battery rules than the FAA, and your airline will follow the strictest rule that applies to your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pack a phone or laptop in my checked bag?
No. Phones and laptops contain lithium-ion batteries, which are banned from checked luggage. Pack them in your carry-on bag instead. If you must check a device, remove the battery first — but most phones and modern laptops have non-removable batteries, so this is not practical.
What if I tape the terminals on a lithium-ion battery — can I check it then?
No. Taping the terminals prevents short circuits but does not address the underlying fire risk of lithium-ion chemistry. These batteries are banned from checked bags regardless of how they are packaged. The ban is absolute.
How many alkaline batteries can I pack in checked luggage?
The FAA allows up to two spare batteries per type (two AA, two AAA, two 9V, and so on). Batteries installed in devices do not count toward this limit. Most travelers never need to pack spare alkaline batteries because they are inexpensive and widely available at any destination.
Do I need to notify the airline that I am packing batteries?
No, not for alkaline batteries in small quantities. The FAA does not require you to declare them. However, if you are packing a large number of batteries or if you are unsure whether your battery is allowed, contact your airline before you travel.
Can I pack rechargeable AA batteries in checked luggage?
No. Rechargeable AA batteries (NiMH or lithium-ion) are treated differently from alkaline batteries and are banned from checked luggage. Only non-rechargeable alkaline batteries are allowed in checked bags.