Lithium battery-powered equipment and spare/loose lithium batteries, including 'smart' baggage containing lithium batteries

This page deals specifically with lithuim batteries contained in powered equipments, also called 'Portable Electronic Devices' (PEDs) and spare lithium batteries. We will also talk about other types of portable electronic devices and batteries, including spare batteries, on page 24 of this Module. 

Table 2.3.A talks about lithium ion and lithium metal batteries. Lithium ion batteries are usually rechargeable. Lithium metal batteries are usually not easily rechargeable. In this course, we usually collectively call them 'lithium batteries'.

Lithuim batteries can be very dangerous and have caused hundreds of fires on aircraft worldwide. You can see graphic evidence of this by typing "plane battery fire" into a search engine. For this reason, strict restrictions apply. 

The quality, quantity and size of lithium batteries that can be transported by passengers and crew is limited. The limitations apply to lithium batteries contained in electronic devices as well as spare or loose batteries. The limitation in battery size is evaluated and measured in Watt hours (Wh) and the amount of lithuim is measured in grams (g).

There are several classifications for lithium batteries in Table 2.3.A and these can be a little confusing but don't panic! The information directly below may assist you in sorting out the difference between how IATA differentiates lithium batteries. There are five IATA Table 2.3.A extracts below that limit and restrict the lithuim battery by size as follows:

1.   The first extract refers to smaller lithium batteries that are contained in personal portable electronic devices (PEDs) with a maximum limit of 100 Wh and not exceeding 2 g of lithium. These are common, everyday items that we all use, such as phones, laptops, cameras etc.

2.   The second extract refers to lithium battery-powered devices with batteries that are larger in capacity. These range from 100 Wh up to a maximum of 160 Wh with a lithuim content not exceeding 2 g. These kinds of batteries are usually found in portable medical devices that a passenger may require for health reasons. These devices tend to require larger than usual lithium batteries because they may be in use for the duration of an entire flight.

3a & 3b.   The third extracts (parts 'a' and 'b') refer to spare and loose batteries. Spare batteries must never exceed 160 Wh or have a lithium content exceeding 2 g. The only exception to this rule is spare batteries used for portable medical devices. The maximum spare battery size for medical devices is still 160 Wh, however they may have a larger lithium content, up to a maximum of 8 g. No more than two (2) spare batteries may be transported. We will also cover lithium and non-lithium spare batteries on page 24 of this Module.

4 & 5.   The fourth and fifth extracts refer to baggage containing non-removable and removable lithium metal or lithium ion batteries. These are sometimes referred to as 'smart bags'. Some examples of smart bags can be things like backpacks, suitcases or purses containing powerbank/batteries/powerpacks for charging mobile devices such as laptops, phones etc. Smart bags are considered as spare batteries.  Table 2.3.A also has two categories of 'smart' baggage containing installed lithium batteries as follows:

1. Non-removable batteries. Non-removable lithium batteries that exceed 0.3 g lithium or 2.7 Wh are FORBIDDEN as either carry-on or checked baggage. Non-removable batteries installed in smart baggage must not exceed 0.3 g lithium metal or for lithium ion batteries must not exceed 2.7 Wh.

2. Removable batteries. If the baggage is to be checked in, then removable batteries must be removed and carried in the cabin.

Please note:

Check-in staff must always ask the passenger, "Are you carrying any dangerous goods or any spare batteries?". 

Further questioning may be required depending on the passenger and what hidden dangerous goods you believe they may be carrying.

It is also worth noting that there are some acronyms contained in the Table 2.3.A extracts below as follows:

1. (PED)     Personal Electronic Device

2. (POC)     Portable Oxygen Concentrator

3. (PMED)   Personal Medical Devices

Now let's have a look at each of these Table 2.3.A lithium battery categories in closer detail. 

(1) Portable electronic devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries  

For personal electronic devices and medical devices using smaller size batteries (not exceeding 2 g of lithium metal or 100 Wh for lithium ion batteries) Eg laptops, mobile phones, cameras, videos, gaming devices etc plus smaller medical devices such as portable oxygen concentrators (POCs).

October 2016 NOTE REGARDING SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 7 DEVICES:

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices must NOT be carried on any aircraft in any circumstance.  Australian major airlines have already acted to ban the carriage of these devices. 

All airline staff and contracted agents must make themselves familiar with the specific Operator's dangerous goods manual for policies and procedures when dealing with Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices.

Please note that this is an ongoing concern and be alert for any airline updates regarding devices such as these.

Please note from the table above:

 

 

 

	-	Permitted in or as carry-on-baggage	YES
	-	Permitted in or as checked baggage	YES
	-	The approval of the operator(s) is required NB: The operator may approve the carriage of more than 15 PEDs.	NO
	-	The pilot-in-command must be informed of the location	NO

 

 

(2) Lithium battery-powered electronic devices

For portable electronic devices that use a larger lithium battery size - exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh or (for medical devices only) with a lithium metal content exceeding 2 g but not exceeding 8 g.

​Please note from the table above:

- Permitted in or as carry-on-baggage

YES

- Permitted in or as checked baggage

YES

- The approval of the Operator is required

YES

- The pilot-in-command must be informed of the location

NO

 

(3a) Batteries, spare/loose, including Lithium batteries

Including powerbanks and non-lithium batteries (we will also cover non-lithium batteries on page 24 of this Module).

 

​Please note from the table above:

	-	Permitted in or as carry-on-baggage	YES
	-	Permitted in or as checked baggage	NO
	-	The approval of the operator(s) is required NB: the operator may approve the carriage of more than 20 batteries	NO
	-	The pilot-in-command must be informed of the location	NO

 

(3b) Lithium batteries, spare/loose

​

 

Please note from the table above:

	-	Permitted in or as carry-on-baggage	YES
	-	Permitted in or as checked baggage	NO
	-	The approval of the operator(s) is required	YES
	-	The pilot-in-command must be informed of the location	NO

 

(4) Baggage with installed lithium batteries: 

 - non-removable batteries exceeding 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh.

​Please note from the table above:

	-	Permitted in or as carry-on-baggage	NO
	-	Permitted in or as checked baggage	NO
	-	The approval of the operator(s) is required	NO
	-	The pilot-in-command must be informed of the location	NO

 Therefore, if the powerbank/pack exceeds 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh and the battery cannot be removed then it is FORBIDDEN for carriage. It cannot be taken as checked baggage or as carry-on baggage.   

 

   (5) Baggage with installed lithium batteries: 

 - non-removable batteries not exceeding 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh and removable batteries.

​Please note from the table above:

	-	Permitted in or as carry-on-baggage	YES
	-	Permitted in or as checked baggage	YES
	-	The approval of the operator(s) is required	NO
	-	The pilot-in-command must be informed of the location	NO

 

Always refer to the Operator's Dangerous Good Manual for specific Airline variations to the above information.