Can You Bring Camera Batteries on a Plane?

By Henry, Updated on September 11, 2024

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Traveling with camera equipment and batteries for photography and videography can be daunting, especially regarding air travel. With the implementation of various regulations and restrictions on batteries, photographers, and videographers must be aware of what type of camera equipment and batteries are allowed on an airplane. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the rules and regulations surrounding camera batteries on planes and provide tips on safely packing and transporting your essential gear.

Part 1. Regulations for taking lithium-ion camera batteries on flights

Numerous modern gadgets, like cameras and cell phones, frequently use lithium-ion batteries. Because they have the potential to short-circuit or catch fire, people regard them as dangerous commodities. As a result, there are tight guidelines for the carriage of lithium-ion batteries aboard airplanes.

Can you take lithium camera batteries on a plane?

According to the latest regulations, you may bring your lithium rechargeable cells and camera batteries on flights. However, you must be mindful of some specific rules. In addition, certain airlines may have their shipping limitations. Check with them before your trip to ensure you follow your airline’s regulations.

Do you take them in the carry-on luggage or checked bag on flights?

As the FAA said, “Electronic cigarettes, vaping gadgets, and uninstalled lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries are not allowed in checked luggage.” Lithium-ion camera batteries rated 100Wh or less are allowed in carry-on luggage. You must carry these with you because unsecured lithium power supplies in the cargo hold might become a threat if someone is not there to extinguish a fire.

How do you pack the lithium batteries for video cameras properly?

It is crucial to remember that lithium-ion camera batteries allowed on airplanes must be shielded from harm and short circuits when transported. Store the power supply in its original packaging or tape over the charging interface or connections to safeguard it from coming into contact with metal items.

Part 2. FAA, TSA, EASA, and IATA guidelines for camera batteries on planes

Passengers can bring and use batteries in cameras on flights and the external type as long as they know certain limits. Photographers and videographers can learn about the detailed restrictions from the following guidelines, and it is all up to your airline and flight:

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
TSA (Transportation Security Administration)
EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency)
IATA (International Air Transport Association)

They will publish official articles or documents on their websites containing the regulations and recommendations for your reference.

It’s crucial to remember that each airline may have different policies on camera batteries, so customers should confirm with them before booking. To guarantee the safe transportation of their airplane camera batteries, travelers should always abide by TSA regulations and take the appropriate safety measures.

Capacity: What are the capacity restrictions for traveling with them?

100Wh is a dividing line. Recent TSA standards permit carry-on baggage containing an external battery pack onto flights up to 100Wh. With airline certification, the one with a rating of more than 100Wh but less than 160Wh is allowed. Before carrying your cells and batteries, you must confirm with your airline.

Part 3. What type of camera equipment and camera batteries can I bring to a plane?

All lithium batteries must be carried in carry–on baggage only. This applies to all types, including Li-ion, Li-polymer, LiFePO4, and metal–hydride batteries. Additionally, each passenger is limited to two spare batteries. Transporting spare Li-ion batteries up to 100 watt-hours and spare lithium metal batteries up to 2 grams per battery is permitted when each battery is protected from short circuits only.

It is also essential to know what types of camera equipment—including tripods—are allowed on aircraft. Most airlines permit the transportation of small tripods, monopods, light stands, and stabilizers. When flying with a tripod, check your airline’s restrictions before packing the device. Monopods, light stands, and stabilizers must also meet security guidelines.

When traveling with camera batteries, the following guidelines apply:

Spare batteries must be in carry–on baggage only
Each passenger is limited to two spare batteries
Spare lithium-ion batteries must not exceed 100 watt–hours per battery
Spare lithium metal batteries must not exceed 2 grams per battery
You must protect each battery from short circuits.

Remember that all rules governing the transport of batteries, cameras, and other electronics vary from airline to airline, so verifying the exact restrictions with your chosen airline before boarding is essential. Following these regulations and guidelines, photographers and videographers can rest assured that their camera equipment and batteries are safely allowed on board airplanes.

Part 4. Are lithium camera batteries allowed on airplanes?

Yes, but there are types and quality limits. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set safety regulations for battery transport aboard aircraft to avoid fire-related catastrophes. TSA security agents train to recognize possible safety and security concerns related to batteries in carry-on and checked luggage. Here is a list of the types of batteries that may be safely packed in carry-on and checked luggage, as well as some packing advice.

What restrictions about spare lithium batteries like v-mount should you know?

Metal, lithium-ion, and polymer types of spare camera batteries are all forbidden in checked baggage. People in the photographic industry now carry bigger batteries for manufacturing. How many of them are you allowed to bring on the plane? According to TSA, there are four of them. According to various carriers, the answer would be four to six or eight. When flying with V-mount batteries, you won’t experience issues with four to six 99-watt power sources like Moman Power 99. You’ll start encountering issues if you have eight or ten of them. So, there is no doubt that you can carry four of these without any problems.

What other types of power solutions can fly with you?

Alkaline Batteries: As the most fundamental types, If you have old, commonplace batteries like AA and AAA, they can go in your carry-on and be inserted into gadgets. You can bring as many of these as you like on a flight.
Lithium-ion internal camera batteries: Almost everything rechargeable we use is lithium-ion type. You can leave lithium-ion camera batteries in the cameras on planes without causing any issues. This means the NP-F series are okay to be taken on flights.

What kind of batteries are explicitly prohibited?

Vehicle batteries, spillable or wet types, are not permitted in carry-on or checked luggage except for powering a scooter or wheelchair. If you need to bring a spare one for a wheelchair or scooter, you must inform the airline operator so they can prepare it for air travel.

Part 5. Are there any rules for carrying battery accessories on flights?

Camera battery chargers, such as the d-tap dummy battery charging cable for V-mount batteries, are permitted in checked and carry-on luggage. Ensure that the charger’s electrical cable, if it has one, is firmly wound around the device. And remember never to put standard ones in a charger for rechargeable ones. Manufacturers do not design non-rechargeable types for recharging, and using a power charger makes them dangerous.

Part 6. What should you do with the lithium-ion camera battery on the plane?

For securely packaging spare power sources, see the Department of Transportation’s spare battery packing suggestions website. For more details on approved and permitted ones, visit this FAA webpage. But here are some tips about packing digital camera batteries on planes for a safe flight.

Put each of the power supplies in a safe and windtight box

Consider putting each of them in its secure box, plastic bag, or box if you’re traveling with extra camera batteries on planes and the ones inside your gadgets. Alternatively, you might use tape to separate the terminals from their contacts. Isolating the terminals prevents hazards from short-circuiting.

Label the box with the name, type, and capacity of the battery

Label it with the words on it. For example, “Moman Power 210 v-mount lithium-ion battery of 210Wh”. Write some necessary information clearly to avoid closing the box and forgetting what kind is inside, but also to facilitate the staff’s inspection and inquiry when passing the security check.

Ensure that battery-powered devices do not turn on accidentally

If you must put a battery-operated item in your luggage so it won’t unintentionally switch on during the journey, please do so. Tape the safety or on-off switch in the “off” position if one is present.

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