Can You Bring Rechargeable Batteries on a U.S. Flight?
For lithium-ion batteries and power banks, the FAA distinguishes spares from batteries installed in devices. Spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks must go in carry-on baggage, with terminals protected against short circuit. A battery installed in a device is treated differently from a spare, so check the FAA’s current guidance and your airline’s requirements for the item you plan to bring.
Check the battery’s watt-hours
The standard allowance generally covers lithium-ion batteries up to 100 watt-hours (Wh). A spare battery from 101 through 160 Wh requires airline approval, and no more than two such spares are allowed. Larger spare batteries are generally prohibited on passenger flights. Airlines may set tighter limits, so confirm approval and baggage rules with your carrier before travel.
If a label shows milliamp-hours (mAh) rather than watt-hours, 20,000 mAh equals 20 Ah. Multiply amp-hours by the battery’s rated voltage to estimate watt-hours: Wh = V × Ah. Use the voltage and capacity specified for the battery pack, or the Wh printed by its maker; do not infer Wh from the mAh figure alone.
Protect batteries and check for damage
Protect spare-battery terminals so they cannot contact metal objects or one another. Do not travel with damaged or recalled batteries. If a battery is swollen, leaking, or otherwise damaged, follow FAA and airline instructions rather than packing it as a normal spare.
Check before departure
This guidance is for lithium-ion batteries and power banks on U.S. passenger flights. “Rechargeable” describes more than one battery chemistry, and the FAA page cited here does not establish the requirements for every type. Check the FAA’s current PackSafe information and your airline’s rules for your exact battery and itinerary before leaving.
Related: Check whether battery packs are allowed on planes, what to do if you left a battery in checked luggage, and how to dispose of batteries responsibly.
Sources: FAA PackSafe: Lithium Batteries
