Portable chargers are allowed through TSA security, but only in your carry-on bag—never in checked luggage

You can bring a portable charger (also called a power bank) through TSA security and onto the plane. The device itself passes through the checkpoint in your carry-on bag without issue. However, TSA has one strict rule: the charger must stay with you in the cabin. If you pack it in checked baggage, TSA will not allow it on the flight at all.

The reason is the lithium battery inside. Lithium batteries can overheat in the unpressurized cargo hold, and TSA treats them as a fire risk in that environment. Your carry-on bag stays in the pressurized cabin where the risk is lower, which is why that location is permitted.

Most portable chargers you buy at a store or online will pass through without delay. The size and capacity matter only if the battery is unusually large, which is rare for consumer devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Portable chargers must go in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage, because of the lithium battery inside.
  • Standard portable chargers sold in stores will pass through TSA security without special documentation or approval.
  • If your charger is larger than 100 watt-hours, you should check with your airline before traveling, as some have stricter limits than TSA.
  • Remove the charger from your bag at the security checkpoint and place it in a bin, just like you would a laptop or phone.
  • Damaged chargers or those showing signs of swelling should not be brought on a flight.

How TSA measures portable charger capacity

TSA measures battery size in watt-hours (Wh), a unit that combines voltage and amp-hours. Most portable chargers sold for phones and tablets fall between 10 and 50 watt-hours, which is well below TSA's limit.

You can find the watt-hour rating on the charger's label or in the manual. If it is not listed, you can calculate it by multiplying the milliamp-hours (mAh) by the voltage (usually 3.7V for lithium batteries) and dividing by 1,000. A 20,000 mAh charger at 3.7V equals roughly 74 watt-hours.

TSA allows up to 100 watt-hours without special permission. Chargers between 100 and 160 watt-hours require airline approval before you travel. Anything over 160 watt-hours is not permitted on passenger flights.

What happens at the security checkpoint

When you reach the TSA checkpoint, remove your portable charger from your bag and place it in a bin on the conveyor belt, the same way you would a phone or laptop. It will go through the X-ray machine. TSA officers can see the battery inside and will clear it if it is within limits.

You will not need to show documentation or explain what it is. The device is common enough that TSA sees dozens every day. If the officer has a question—usually only if the charger is very large or damaged-looking—they will ask you about it at that moment.

Once you clear security, put the charger back in your carry-on and keep it with you through boarding and the flight. You can use it to charge your phone or other devices during the flight if you have access to a seat-back USB port or outlet.

Chargers that need airline approval before you fly

If your portable charger is between 100 and 160 watt-hours, contact your airline before your travel date. Most airlines allow them, but some have their own policies that are stricter than TSA's rule. You do not need approval from TSA itself—only from the airline you are flying with.

Call the airline's customer service number or check their website for battery policy. Have the watt-hour rating ready. The airline will tell you whether it is permitted on their flights. If it is, you may be asked to declare it at check-in or at the gate, though many airlines do not require this step.

If your charger exceeds 160 watt-hours, no airline will allow it on a passenger flight. This is a federal rule, not an airline choice.

Damaged or swollen chargers should not fly

Do not bring a portable charger that is visibly damaged, cracked, or swollen. A swollen battery is a sign the lithium cells are failing and may catch fire. TSA officers are trained to spot these, and they will confiscate the charger at the checkpoint.

If your charger has been dropped, exposed to water, or shows any bulging on its case, leave it at home or dispose of it safely. Lithium batteries are sensitive, and a damaged one is a genuine fire hazard in the pressurized cabin.

Multiple chargers and spare batteries

You can bring more than one portable charger in your carry-on bag. TSA does not limit the number of chargers, only the size of each one. If you are traveling with two 50-watt-hour chargers, both are permitted.

Loose lithium batteries (not installed in a device) are also allowed in carry-on baggage, but they must be in a protective case or have tape over the terminals to prevent short circuits. Loose batteries cannot go in checked luggage under any circumstances.

What to do if TSA stops your charger

If a TSA officer flags your charger at the checkpoint, they will usually ask you what it is and where you are going. Answer honestly and calmly. If the charger is within the 100-watt-hour limit and not damaged, the officer will clear it and you can proceed.

If the charger exceeds 160 watt-hours or is visibly damaged, TSA will not allow it through. You will have the option to leave it at the checkpoint, mail it to your destination, or take it back to your car or home. You cannot bring it on the plane.

If you believe the officer made an error, you can ask to speak with a supervisor, but TSA's lithium battery rules are firm and not subject to exceptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge my phone at the airport before my flight?

Yes. Most airports have charging stations in the terminal, and many gates have USB ports or outlets built into the seating. You can use your portable charger or plug directly into these outlets. Bring a USB cable that matches your phone.

What if my airline has a stricter battery policy than TSA?

Follow your airline's policy, not TSA's. Airlines can impose limits lower than the federal rule. If your airline says no chargers over 50 watt-hours, that is the rule you must follow, even though TSA would allow up to 100.

Can I pack a portable charger in my checked bag if I also have one in my carry-on?

No. TSA does not allow any portable chargers in checked baggage, regardless of how many you have in carry-on. All chargers must stay in your carry-on bag for the entire flight.

Do I need to tell TSA about my charger before I arrive at the checkpoint?

No. You do not need to declare it or notify anyone in advance. straightforward remove it from your bag at the checkpoint and place it in a bin like any other electronic device.

What about solar chargers or hand-crank chargers?

Solar and hand-crank chargers without internal lithium batteries are allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage. Only chargers with lithium batteries are restricted to carry-on. Check your device's manual to confirm whether it has a lithium battery inside.