Lithium batteries are banned from checked luggage on commercial flights in the United States and most countries worldwide

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) prohibit lithium batteries and devices containing lithium batteries in checked baggage. This rule applies to all commercial airlines operating in the U.S., regardless of the airline's own policies. The ban exists because lithium batteries can overheat, catch fire, and spread rapidly in the cargo hold where fires cannot be detected or fought during flight.

Lithium batteries are found in phones, laptops, tablets, power banks, e-cigarettes, cameras, and many other consumer electronics. Even a single battery packed in checked luggage violates federal law. The penalty for violating this rule can include fines up to $75,000 and criminal charges, though enforcement typically focuses on repeat violations or large quantities.

Carry-on baggage has different rules. You may bring lithium batteries and most devices containing them in your carry-on bag, where crew members can respond to a fire when ready. This is why the FAA allows the same batteries in the cabin but not in cargo.

Key Takeaways

  • Lithium batteries of any size are prohibited in checked luggage on all U.S. commercial flights under FAA rules.
  • Devices containing lithium batteries—phones, laptops, power banks, e-cigarettes—cannot go in checked bags, even if the battery is built in and cannot be removed.
  • You can pack lithium batteries and lithium-powered devices in carry-on baggage, where crew can respond to emergencies.
  • Airlines may have stricter rules than the FAA minimum, so check your specific airline's website before packing.
  • If you forget and pack a battery in checked luggage, tell a crew member before boarding; do not attempt to retrieve it after check-in.

What counts as a lithium battery for airline rules

A lithium battery is any battery that uses lithium metal or lithium compounds as its primary active material. This includes lithium-ion batteries (the most common type in consumer devices) and lithium metal batteries (less common but found in some cameras and emergency lights).

The rule covers both loose batteries and batteries installed inside devices. A phone in your checked bag is a violation because the phone contains a lithium-ion battery. A spare laptop battery is a violation. A power bank is a violation. An e-cigarette is a violation. A wireless mouse with a lithium battery is a violation.

Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) are not lithium batteries and are allowed in checked luggage. Rechargeable NiMH batteries (the kind in some older cordless tools) are also allowed. The distinction matters: if you are unsure what type of battery is in a device, check the device manual or the manufacturer's website before packing.

Why the FAA bans lithium batteries from cargo holds

Lithium batteries can enter a state called thermal runaway, in which the battery overheats uncontrollably and ignites. Once thermal runaway begins, it cannot be stopped by normal means. The battery will burn at extremely high temperatures and can ignite nearby materials.

In a cargo hold, a fire cannot be seen, reported, or fought by the crew. The hold is not pressurized the same way the cabin is, and fire-suppression systems in cargo holds are less effective than those in the cabin. A lithium battery fire in cargo has caused or contributed to the loss of multiple cargo aircraft in the past two decades.

In the cabin, a crew member can see smoke or flames when ready, move the device away from other passengers, and use fire extinguishers or water. This is why the same battery that is forbidden in cargo is permitted in carry-on bags.

Carry-on rules for lithium batteries

You may pack lithium batteries in your carry-on bag. This includes loose batteries, spare batteries, and devices with built-in batteries. The FAA allows up to two spare lithium batteries per passenger in carry-on baggage, provided they are in your personal item or roller bag, not in checked luggage.

Some airlines impose stricter limits. Southwest, for example, allows only two spare lithium batteries per passenger. Other carriers may allow more or fewer. Check your airline's website before packing multiple spare batteries.

Batteries should be protected from short circuits. If you are carrying spare lithium batteries, tape the terminals or place each battery in a separate plastic bag so the positive and negative ends cannot touch metal objects or other batteries. This prevents accidental discharge.

What to do if you accidentally packed a battery in checked luggage

If you realize before boarding that you packed a lithium battery in checked luggage, tell a crew member or gate agent when ready. Do not attempt to open your checked bag or retrieve the battery yourself after it has been checked. The airline will remove the battery and may allow you to take it in carry-on instead, or they may confiscate it.

If you discover the mistake after the plane has landed at your destination, the battery has already traveled in cargo. Report it to the airline anyway. Most airlines will not penalize a passenger for an honest mistake, but repeated violations or large quantities of batteries may trigger investigation.

If you are shipping items by mail or courier rather than flying, different rules explore. The U.S. Postal Service and most private carriers have their own lithium battery restrictions for ground and air transport. Check with your shipper before mailing devices with lithium batteries.

International flights and other countries' rules

The IATA rules that govern most international airlines match the FAA ban: no lithium batteries in checked baggage. If you are flying from the United States to another country, or from another country to the United States, expect the same restriction.

Some countries have additional restrictions. The European Union, Canada, and Australia all prohibit lithium batteries in checked luggage on passenger aircraft. If you are flying between two non-U.S. airports, check the airline's website or contact the airline directly, as rules may vary by carrier and route.

When booking a flight, the airline's website usually lists battery restrictions in the baggage policy section. If the policy is unclear, call the airline's customer service line before packing.

Devices that commonly cause confusion

Power banks and portable chargers contain lithium batteries and must go in carry-on baggage. Many travelers assume these are safe in checked bags because they are small, but they are not.

Laptops, tablets, and e-readers contain lithium batteries and must go in carry-on baggage. Some airlines allow these in checked bags if they are powered off, but the FAA rule does not make this exception—the device itself is prohibited in cargo regardless of whether it is on or off.

Wireless headphones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers contain lithium batteries and must go in carry-on baggage. Cameras with lithium batteries must go in carry-on baggage. Drones and remote-controlled devices with lithium batteries must go in carry-on baggage.

Vaping devices and e-cigarettes contain lithium batteries and are prohibited in both checked and carry-on baggage on most U.S. airlines, even though the FAA technically allows them in carry-on. Check your specific airline's policy, as many carriers ban them entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pack my phone or laptop in checked luggage?

No. Phones and laptops contain lithium batteries and are prohibited in checked baggage under FAA rules. Pack them in your carry-on bag or personal item. If your device is powered off, it is still prohibited in checked luggage.

What if my device has a non-removable battery?

It does not matter whether the battery can be removed. If the device contains a lithium battery, it cannot go in checked luggage. Non-removable batteries are actually more common in modern devices, but the rule applies to both removable and non-removable batteries.

Are alkaline AA batteries allowed in checked luggage?

Yes. Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) are not lithium batteries and are allowed in checked baggage. However, they are also allowed in carry-on baggage, so you can pack them either way.

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

TSA will remove the battery or device and may confiscate it. You will not be charged a fine for a first offense, but you may lose the device. Repeated violations can result in fines and criminal charges. If you realize the mistake before boarding, tell a crew member and the battery can usually be transferred to carry-on.

Can I pack a power bank in checked luggage if it is in a protective case?

No. The protective case does not change the rule. Power banks contain lithium batteries and are prohibited in checked baggage regardless of packaging. Pack it in your carry-on bag instead.