Batteries on board – what passengers ask most
Here’s a quick guide to the most common battery questions. For more detailed rules and technical limits, see our Dangerous goods page.
Important notes for batteries:
- Final decision on whether an item can be carried is always made at the airport.
- All batteries must be protected from short circuits, damage, and overheating.
- Damaged, recalled, or swollen batteries will not be accepted.
If battery allowed in checked baggage:
- Can’t be packed with combustible materials as perfumes, etc.
- Must be switched off and protected from unintentional activation.
- If transporting several devices, must be packed separately (by package or clothes).
| Spare/loose batteries | Examples | Allowed as hand baggage | Allowed in checked baggage |
Restrictions and notes |
| Spare Li-ion, NiMH, NiCd, or Dry batteries: Up to 100 Wh |
External batteries, spare batteries not installed in devices | Yes | No | Max 20 pcs. Must be individually protected to prevent short circuits |
| Spare Li-metal: Metal content max 2g |
External batteries, Spare batteries not installed in devices | Yes | No | Max 20 pcs. Must be individually protected to prevent short circuits |
| Spare Li-ion, NiMH, NiCd, or Dry batteries: From 100 Wh to 160 Wh |
External batteries, Spare batteries not installed in devices | Yes | No | Max 2 pcs. Must be individually protected to prevent short circuits |
| Spare Li-metal: Metal content between 2g/cell to max 8g/battery (Strictly for PMED) |
Spare or External batteries for portable Medical electronic devices | Yes | No | Max 2 pcs. Only approved for medical equipment One battery can contain several cells, but the total lithium in the entire battery must not exceed 8 g, even if each individual cell is ≤2 g |
| Spare Li-ion, NiMH, NiCd, or Dry batteries: Over 160 Wh |
External batteries, Spare batteries not installed in devices | No | No | Not permitted (exception: see mobility aid batteries) |
| Spare Li-metal: Over 8g metal content |
Spare or External batteries | No | No | Forbidden |
| Spare Non-spillable WET batteries only up to 12 V and 100 Wh | External batteries, Spare batteries not installed in devices | Yes | No | Max 2 pcs. Both the voltage (V) and energy (Wh) limits must be met. Examples: - A battery over 12 V but under 100 Wh is not allowed. - A battery under 12 V but over 100 Wh is not allowed. - Only batteries that are both 12 V or less and 100 Wh or less are eligible for approval. - Must be protected from short circuit by insulation of the battery terminals. |
| Mobility aid batteries | Examples | Allowed as hand baggage | Allowed in checked baggage |
Restrictions and notes |
| Lithium batteries not removed from mobility aid | Lithium battery installed in mobility aid | No | Yes | No limitations |
| Lithium batteries removed from mobility aid | Lithium battery removed from mobility aid | Yes | No | Up to 300 Wh. Max 2 pcs |
| Spare lithium batteries | Spare battery for mobility aid | Yes | No | Batteries must be carried in hand baggage. 1 × up to 300 Wh or 2x up to 160 Wh |
| Non-spillable batteries, nickel- metal hydride batteries or dry batteries installed in mobility aid |
Mobility aid with Non-spillable or dry cell battery e.g. gel, NiCd, NiMH, sealed- lead-acid battery |
No | Yes | No Wh limitation. Battery must be kept in mobility aid |
| Spare non-spillable wet battery for mobility aid | Spare non-spillable wet battery for mobility aid (gel, sealed lead-acid, AGM) |
Yes | No | Max 1 pcs. No Voltage/Energy limitation |
| Spare nickel-metal hydride batteries or dry batteries | Spare dry battery for mobility aid | Yes | No | Max 2 pcs. No Wh limitation |
| Mobility aids with spillable batteries, spare spillable batteries |
Mobility aid with spillable battery | No | No | Forbidden |
| Portable electronic devices (PEDs) | Examples | Allowed as hand baggage |
Allowed in checked baggage |
Restrictions and notes |
| PEDs containing lithium batteries: Li-ion: Up to 100 Wh or Li-metal: Up to 2g lithium metal content |
Laptops, mobile phones, tablets, etc or PMED (Portable Medical electronic Devices) |
Yes | Yes | Max 15 pcs |
| PEDs containing lithium batteries: Li-ion: From 100 Wh to 160 Wh Or Li-metal: From 2g to 8g lithium metal content (only for PMED) |
Laptops, mobile phones, tablets, etc or PMED (Portable Medical electronic Devices) |
Yes | Yes | Max 2 pcs. Li-metal: One battery can contain several cells, but the total lithium in the entire battery must not exceed 8 g, even if each individual cell is ≤2 g |
| PEDs containing lithium batteries Over 160 Wh | Professional video cameras, High-end drones, etc | No | No | Not permitted. (Exception: see mobility aid batteries) |
| Other | Examples | Allowed as hand baggage |
Allowed in checked baggage |
Restrictions and notes |
| E-cigarettes/vapes | Vape pens, e-cigarettes | Yes | No | Allowed on person only. Use and charging on bord not permitted |
| Baggage with removable lithium batteries | Smart bags with removable battery | Yes | No | Bag can be checked in but battery must be removed and taken as hand baggage |
| Baggage with non removable lithium battery |
Smart bag with non removable battery |
Yes | Yes | Batteries must contain no more than 0.3 g lithium metal or for lithium ion must not exceed 2.7 Wh |
| Baggage with installed lithium batteries non removable exceeding 0.3g lithium metal or 2.7Wh |
Smart bags | No | No | Forbidden |
💡 Tips: To find battery capacity: Ah × V = Wh (or mAh ÷ 1000 × V = Wh)