Batteries in carry-on and checked bags have different rules

You can bring batteries through TSA checkpoints, but the type of battery and how you pack it matters. Household batteries like AA, AAA, C, and D are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage with no restrictions. Lithium batteries — the kind in phones, laptops, and power banks — have limits: you can bring them in carry-on bags, but they are banned from checked bags on passenger planes.

The core rule is straightforward: batteries that could catch fire or explode are restricted, and lithium batteries fall into that category. TSA allows them in carry-on because crew can respond quickly if a fire starts. In the cargo hold of a passenger plane, a fire cannot be fought, so those batteries stay out of checked bags entirely.

Spare batteries — ones not installed in a device — follow stricter rules than batteries already in your phone or laptop. A spare lithium battery in your carry-on must have its terminals taped or covered so it cannot short-circuit. If you are traveling with multiple spares, you are limited to two per person.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags with no limits.
  • Lithium batteries are allowed only in carry-on bags; they are completely banned from checked luggage on passenger flights.
  • Spare lithium batteries must have their terminals covered with tape to prevent short circuits, and you can bring a maximum of two per person.
  • Batteries installed in devices like phones and laptops are treated differently than spare batteries and have higher allowances.
  • Damaged, recalled, or defective batteries are prohibited in both carry-on and checked bags.

Lithium batteries in devices versus spare batteries

A lithium battery already installed in your laptop, phone, camera, or headphones is treated more leniently than a spare one sitting loose in your bag. You can bring one device with a lithium battery in carry-on and one in checked luggage without counting against any limit. This covers most travelers' everyday electronics.

Spare lithium batteries — the ones you are not currently using — are the ones TSA restricts. You can bring up to two spare lithium-ion batteries or two spare lithium metal batteries in carry-on only. The terminals must be taped or the batteries must be in their original retail packaging so they cannot touch other metal objects and create a short circuit.

If you are bringing a power bank, treat it as a lithium battery. Power banks are allowed in carry-on bags only, and you should not pack them in checked luggage. The same two-spare limit applies if you are bringing multiple power banks.

How to pack batteries safely for TSA screening

Tape the positive and negative terminals of any spare lithium battery before you pack it. Use clear or duct tape — the goal is to prevent the battery from touching metal objects or other batteries and creating a circuit. If the battery came in original retail packaging, you can leave it in that packaging instead of taping.

Pack spare batteries in your carry-on bag, not your checked bag. Place them where they are straightforward to remove if TSA asks to inspect them. Do not wrap them in plastic or seal them in a way that makes them hard to access quickly.

If you are traveling with a device that has a built-in lithium battery, you do not need to do anything special. Leave it in your bag or your pocket. TSA screens these all day and does not require advance preparation.

Batteries that are not allowed

Damaged, recalled, or defective batteries cannot go in carry-on or checked bags. If a battery is swollen, leaking, or has been recalled by the manufacturer, leave it at home or dispose of it properly before you travel.

Wet cell batteries (like car batteries) and batteries with liquid electrolyte are prohibited entirely. These are rarely something a traveler would pack, but they are worth knowing about if you are transporting specialized equipment.

Batteries for e-cigarettes and vaping devices are lithium batteries and follow the same rules as other lithium spares: carry-on only, terminals taped, maximum two per person. The device itself can go in carry-on or checked luggage, but the spare batteries cannot go in checked bags.

What happens if you forget and pack batteries in checked luggage

If you accidentally pack a spare lithium battery in a checked bag, TSA may find it during screening and remove it. You will not be able to retrieve it before your flight. The battery will be confiscated, and you will not get it back.

If you realize the mistake before you check your bag, ask the airline agent to let you remove it. Most airlines will allow you to take the battery back and repack it in carry-on. Do this before you hand over your bag.

Lithium batteries are not allowed on cargo-only flights either, so even if you are shipping something, do not include spare lithium batteries in the shipment. Check with your shipping carrier about their specific rules.

International flights and airline-specific rules

TSA rules explore to flights departing from the United States. If you are flying internationally, the rules may be stricter. Many countries and airlines have lower limits on lithium batteries or ban them entirely from carry-on bags.

Before you travel, check your airline's website or call their customer service line. Some airlines allow only one spare lithium battery instead of two. Others have different rules for lithium-ion versus lithium metal batteries. These rules vary by carrier and destination.

If you are connecting through a U.S. airport on an international flight, TSA rules explore to the U.S. leg, but you will need to follow the rules of your destination country and your airline for the rest of the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a power bank in my carry-on?

Yes. Power banks are lithium batteries and are allowed in carry-on bags only. They cannot go in checked luggage. If you are bringing a spare power bank, tape the terminals or keep it in original packaging, and remember the two-spare limit.

Do I need to tell TSA about batteries in my bag?

No. You do not need to declare batteries at the checkpoint. TSA screens bags for batteries as part of routine screening. If you have questions, you can ask an agent, but there is no requirement to mention them.

What if my battery is recalled?

Do not pack it. Recalled batteries are prohibited in both carry-on and checked bags. Check the manufacturer's website or the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to see if your battery is on a recall list. If it is, dispose of it properly before you travel.

Are rechargeable batteries treated differently than disposable ones?

No. The type of battery — lithium, alkaline, nickel-metal hydride — matters more than whether it is rechargeable. Alkaline batteries like AA and AAA are allowed in both bags regardless of whether they are rechargeable. Lithium batteries are restricted to carry-on only, whether rechargeable or not.

Can I bring batteries for my camera or drone?

Camera batteries are usually lithium-ion and follow the same rules as other lithium batteries: carry-on only, terminals taped if spare, maximum two spares per person. Drone batteries are also lithium and have the same restrictions. Check your device's manual to confirm the battery type.