Spare lithium batteries and power banks (US FAA regulation)
FAA / US DOT · Regulation (has jurisdiction) · Scope: us · Checked: 2026-10-12
Scope statement (source wording)
US regulatory scope. Per source: "Based on US DOT regulations (49 CFR, Sec. 175.10). Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security, individual airline, and international rules may, at times, be more restrictive."
Published limits
| Limit | Carriage | Conditions (source wording) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity (Wh): ≤ 100 Wh | Carry-on | 0-100 Wh: allowed on passenger aircraft. |
| Quantity: Not published (unknown — not zero) | Carry-on | No limit for rechargeable batteries under 100 Wh, provided they are for personal use by the passenger. Batteries carried for further sale or distribution (vendor samples, etc.) are prohibited. |
| Capacity (Wh): ≤ 160 Wh | With airline approval | 101-160 Wh per battery: require approval from the air carrier. |
| Quantity: ≤ 2 count | With airline approval | 101-160 Wh: limit of two spare batteries (including power banks and portable chargers) per person. |
| Capacity (Wh): ≤ 160 Wh | Forbidden | Batteries exceeding 160 Wh are forbidden on passenger aircraft (includes large power banks, power stations, and lithium battery powered generators). |
| Capacity (Wh): ≤ 160 Wh | Checked | Rechargeable lithium battery-powered devices can be checked only if completely powered off and protected from accidental activation, within the same Wh restrictions (0-100 Wh; 101-160 Wh with approval). Spare batteries (incl. power banks) cannot be checked at all. |
| Quantity: Not published (unknown — not zero) | Forbidden | Spare lithium batteries (including power banks and portable chargers) in checked baggage: prohibited in any quantity (source: "Spare lithium batteries (including power banks and portable chargers) must be carried on and cannot be checked."). |
Packing and carriage requirements
- Spare lithium batteries (including power banks and portable chargers) must be carried on and cannot be checked.
- Must be carry-on only and protected from damage and short circuit.
- Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices must not be carried aboard an aircraft (carry-on or checked) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed or otherwise made safe.
- Bags equipped with lithium batteries must be carried as carry-on bags unless the batteries can be removed from the baggage; removed batteries must be carried in accordance with the same restrictions as spare batteries.
Airline deviations for this rule
No verified airline deviations reference this baseline yet.
Sources and verification
PackSafe for Passengers - Federal Aviation Administration Official · verified
https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe
Lithium battery-powered rechargeable devices, such as large power banks, power stations, and generators with a capacity of more than 160 watt hours (Wh) are not allowed on passenger aircraft. Power banks, spare batteries, and lithium batteries with a capacity of less than 160 Wh must remain with passengers in the aircraft cabin. Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices ... must not be carried aboard an aircraft (e.g. carry-on or checked baggage) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed or otherwise made safe.
Checked: 2026-10-12 · US FAA PackSafe passenger guidance page, Last updated: Tuesday, August 11, 2026. US regulatory scope (US DOT dangerous goods regulations, 49 CFR). Quantitative spare-battery quantity limits are on the linked FAQ page (faa-airline-passengers-batteries).
Airline Passengers and Batteries - FAA Official · verified
https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/airline-passengers-and-batteries
Rechargeable batteries with a capacity of 0-100 Wh are allowed on passenger aircraft, while those with a capacity of 101-160 Wh require approval from the air carrier, and batteries exceeding 160 Wh are forbidden. Spare lithium batteries (including power banks and portable chargers) must be carried on and cannot be checked. For lithium-ion rechargeable batteries with a capacity of 101-160 watt-hours per battery, there is a limit of two spare batteries (including power banks and portable chargers) per person. Based on US DOT regulations (49 CFR, Sec. 175.10). Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security, individual airline, and international rules may, at times, be more restrictive.
Checked: 2026-10-12 · US FAA passenger battery FAQ, Last updated: Friday, October 2, 2026. Defines exact US regulatory boundaries: 0-100 Wh no quantity limit for personal use (sale/distribution prohibited); 101-160 Wh carrier approval + max two spares per person; over 160 Wh forbidden on passenger aircraft. Devices can be checked only when completely powered off and protected from accidental activation.
This is one rule for one airline under the conditions shown. It is not a general limit for the airline, and it must not be applied to another airline.