Portable chargers stay in your carry-on bag at TSA checkpoints

You do not need to remove portable chargers, power banks, or battery packs from your carry-on bag when you go through TSA security screening. They can stay packed with your other electronics. TSA officers will see them on the X-ray machine, but that is normal and does not trigger a secondary inspection or confiscation.

The reason is straightforward: portable chargers are lithium-ion batteries, and TSA allows them in carry-on luggage under specific rules. The agency does restrict them in checked baggage because of the fire risk in the cargo hold, but carry-on is safe enough that you can leave them where they are.

That said, there are limits on the size and quantity you can bring, and those limits matter. A charger that is too large or a bag with too many of them can be confiscated, even though you do not have to remove them from your bag to find that out.

Key Takeaways

  • Portable chargers and power banks stay in your carry-on bag and do not need to be removed at security screening.
  • TSA limits portable chargers to 100 watt-hours (Wh) per battery, which covers most phone and tablet chargers but not large power stations.
  • You can bring up to two portable chargers rated between 100 and 160 watt-hours if you have written approval from your airline, but this is rare.
  • Portable chargers are banned from checked baggage entirely, so pack them only in your carry-on.
  • If your charger does not list watt-hours, you can calculate it by multiplying the milliamp-hours (mAh) by the voltage and dividing by 1,000.

What the watt-hour limit actually means for your charger

TSA measures portable charger capacity in watt-hours (Wh), not milliamp-hours (mAh), which is what most chargers list on their label. The limit is 100 Wh per battery. Most phone chargers fall well under this—a typical 20,000 mAh power bank is around 74 Wh, so it passes. A 30,000 mAh charger is usually around 111 Wh, which exceeds the limit and would be confiscated.

If your charger lists only mAh and voltage (usually 3.7V or 5V), you can do the math yourself: multiply mAh by voltage, then divide by 1,000. A 20,000 mAh charger at 3.7V is (20,000 × 3.7) ÷ 1,000 = 74 Wh. If the label shows watt-hours directly, use that number—it is more reliable than calculating from mAh.

Check your charger's label or the manufacturer's website before you pack. If you cannot find the watt-hour rating and the math is unclear, contact the charger maker or assume it is over the limit and leave it at home.

The two-charger exception and airline approval

TSA allows you to bring up to two portable chargers rated between 100 and 160 Wh, but only if your airline has given you written permission in advance. This is not a standard TSA rule—it is something the airline has to approve on a case-by-case basis, and most do not. You cannot just show up with two large chargers and expect them to pass.

If you need a charger larger than 100 Wh, contact your airline before your trip and ask whether they will permit one. Have the charger's specifications ready. Some airlines say yes; many say no. Getting written confirmation from the airline before you arrive at the airport is the only way to be sure.

Chargers over 160 Wh are never allowed in carry-on or checked baggage on commercial flights, so do not bother trying.

Why portable chargers are banned from checked baggage

Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if they short-circuit or are damaged, and that fire is harder to detect and fight in the cargo hold of a plane than in the cabin. TSA and the FAA treat lithium batteries as a fire hazard in checked bags, so they are prohibited entirely—not just limited, but completely banned from luggage you check.

This applies to all portable chargers, power banks, and battery packs, no matter the size. If you are checking a bag, any charger you bring must go in your carry-on. If you forget and pack a charger in checked luggage, it will be found during screening and removed, and your bag will be delayed or you will be asked to retrieve it.

What happens if your charger exceeds the limit

If a TSA officer finds a portable charger over 100 Wh (or over 160 Wh without airline approval) during X-ray screening, they will confiscate it. You will not be fined, and the charger will not be returned to you. It is straightforward removed from your bag and discarded or recycled.

This is why checking the watt-hour rating before you pack matters. You can avoid the loss by verifying the specs at home, not at the checkpoint. If you are unsure whether your charger is under the limit, leave it behind or buy a smaller one for travel.

How to find the watt-hour rating on your charger

Most portable chargers print the watt-hour rating on a label on the back or bottom of the device. Look for "Wh" followed by a number—for example, "74 Wh" or "100 Wh". If you do not see it on the physical charger, check the user manual or the manufacturer's website by searching for the model number.

Some chargers list only mAh and voltage, in which case you will need to calculate watt-hours yourself using the formula above. If the label is worn or unclear, contact the manufacturer's customer service with a photo of the charger and they can tell you the rating.

Write down the watt-hour rating and keep it with your charger or in your phone so you have it ready if TSA asks. Most of the time they will not, but having the information on hand prevents confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take my portable charger out of my bag at security?

No. Portable chargers can stay in your carry-on bag and go through the X-ray machine with everything else. TSA does not require you to remove them, and removing them does not speed up the screening process.

Can I bring a portable charger in my checked luggage?

No. Portable chargers are banned from checked baggage entirely. Pack any chargers you bring in your carry-on bag only. If you accidentally pack one in checked luggage, it will be removed during screening.

What if my charger is 105 Wh and I do not have airline approval?

It will be confiscated at security. TSA's limit is 100 Wh without written airline permission. Chargers between 100 and 160 Wh are only allowed if your airline has approved them in advance, which is uncommon. Check before you travel.

Can I bring multiple small chargers if each one is under 100 Wh?

Yes. You can bring as many chargers as you want as long as each one is under 100 Wh. TSA does not limit the number of compliant chargers, only the size of each individual battery.

What if I cannot find the watt-hour rating on my charger?

Check the user manual or the manufacturer's website using the model number. If you still cannot find it, calculate it from the mAh and voltage if those are listed. If neither is available, assume the charger exceeds the limit and leave it at home rather than risk confiscation.