Most batteries cannot go in checked luggage — they must stay in your carry-on
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 rapidly in an unpressurized space where crew cannot reach them.
The rule is strict: lithium batteries must travel in your carry-on bag only. This applies to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and single-use lithium batteries. The only exceptions are specific types of alkaline batteries and certain limited quantities under narrow conditions.
If you pack a lithium battery in checked luggage, TSA agents will find it during screening and remove it. Your flight may be delayed. You will not be reimbursed for the battery or the inconvenience.
Key Takeaways
- Lithium batteries of any size must go in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage.
- Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) are permitted in checked bags in reasonable quantities for personal use.
- Power banks, phone batteries, laptop batteries, and e-cigarette batteries are lithium batteries and belong in carry-on only.
- Spare lithium batteries must be in carry-on and should have terminals taped or be in original packaging to prevent short circuits.
- Batteries removed from devices are treated the same as loose batteries — lithium ones still cannot go in checked bags.
Which batteries are allowed in checked luggage
Alkaline batteries — standard AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries — are permitted in checked baggage in reasonable quantities for personal use. There is no strict TSA limit on alkaline batteries in checked bags, but "reasonable" means what you would actually use on a trip, not a bulk supply. A handful of spares is fine; a case of 100 is not.
Alkaline batteries are safe in cargo because they do not contain the flammable electrolyte that lithium batteries do. They are also less likely to short-circuit or overheat during flight.
If you are unsure whether a battery is alkaline or lithium, check the label. Alkaline batteries will say "alkaline" or "Duracell" or "Energizer" (the common brands). Lithium batteries will say "lithium" or "rechargeable" or "Li-ion".
Why lithium batteries are banned from checked bags
Lithium batteries can catch fire spontaneously if they short-circuit or are damaged. In the pressurized cargo hold of a plane, a fire cannot be easily detected or fought. The fire can spread to other cargo and the aircraft structure before anyone knows it is happening.
This is not theoretical. Several cargo plane crashes have been linked to lithium battery fires, including UPS Flight 6 in 2010 and Asiana Cargo Flight 991 in 2011. Both planes went down after lithium batteries in the cargo hold ignited.
Because of these incidents, aviation authorities worldwide — including the FAA, TSA, and IATA — now treat lithium batteries as dangerous goods in cargo. The rules are the same whether you fly domestic or international.
Common batteries that must stay in carry-on
Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are in nearly every device you own. Phone batteries, laptop batteries, tablet batteries, camera batteries, and power banks all contain lithium-ion cells. These must go in your carry-on bag.
E-cigarette and vape batteries are lithium batteries and are prohibited in checked luggage. They are also restricted in carry-on — most airlines allow one or two per person, and they must be in your personal item, not in a checked bag.
Spare lithium batteries that are not installed in a device are also prohibited in checked bags. If you bring a spare phone battery or a spare camera battery, it travels in your carry-on. The same applies to replacement batteries for any device.
Power banks and portable chargers contain lithium batteries and must be in carry-on only. This includes solar chargers and hand-crank chargers if they have a lithium battery inside.
How to pack batteries safely in carry-on luggage
Loose lithium batteries — ones not installed in a device — should have their terminals covered with non-conductive tape, such as clear tape or electrical tape. This prevents the battery from short-circuiting if it touches another metal object or another battery in your bag.
If the battery came in original packaging, leave it in the packaging. Original packaging is designed to prevent short circuits and is the safest way to transport a spare battery.
Keep batteries away from liquids and away from metal objects like coins, keys, or jewelry. Store them in a separate pocket of your carry-on bag if possible.
Batteries installed in devices — your phone, laptop, camera — do not need special packing. They are safe as long as they are in your carry-on bag and not in checked luggage.
What happens if TSA finds batteries in checked luggage
TSA screening equipment will detect lithium batteries during baggage screening. If a battery is found in a checked bag, TSA will remove it and set it aside. Your bag will continue to your destination, but the battery will not.
You will not be notified in advance. You will discover the missing battery when you open your checked bag at your destination. TSA does not reimburse you for removed items.
In some cases, if the battery is deemed a serious hazard, TSA may delay your flight while they investigate. This is rare but possible, especially if multiple batteries are found or if the battery is damaged.
International flights and battery rules
International flights follow the same rules as domestic flights within the United States. Lithium batteries must be in carry-on, and alkaline batteries are permitted in checked bags in reasonable quantities.
Some countries have additional restrictions. For example, some nations limit the number of spare lithium batteries you can bring into the country. Before you travel internationally, check the rules for your destination country and any countries you will connect through.
Airlines may also have stricter rules than the TSA. Some airlines limit the number of lithium batteries per passenger or require batteries to be in original packaging. Check your airline's website before you pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my phone battery in checked luggage?
No. Phone batteries are lithium-ion batteries and must travel in your carry-on bag. This applies whether the battery is installed in the phone or is a spare battery. If you pack a phone battery in checked luggage, TSA will remove it during screening.
Are AA batteries allowed in checked bags?
Yes. Standard alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries are permitted in checked baggage in reasonable quantities for personal use. A few spares are fine, but do not pack bulk quantities.
What about batteries in devices I am checking?
Batteries installed in devices can go in checked luggage as long as they are not lithium batteries. A camera with alkaline batteries, for example, is fine in a checked bag. But a laptop, phone, or any device with a lithium-ion battery must stay in carry-on.
Can I pack a power bank in my checked bag?
No. Power banks contain lithium batteries and must be in your carry-on bag only. This is true even if the power bank is turned off or fully discharged.
What if my battery is damaged or swollen?
Do not pack a damaged or swollen battery in either carry-on or checked luggage. A swollen battery is a sign the cell is failing and may catch fire. Leave it at home or dispose of it properly at a battery recycling center before you travel.