by Tanya Davis
If you're like most travelers these days, you carry a computer along on your trips almost like a second appendage. You may also carry a cell phone and a digital camera, and possibly other battery-powered gadgets. If so, you will be interested to know that the TSA rules have changed (effective January 1, 2008) for carrying lithium batteries. Let's look at those changes and how they may affect the way you pack or the number of batteries you carry when you travel.
What Won't be Affected
When batteries are inside a device, like in your cell phone or inside your computer, they are not considered “spare.” They are the operable batteries. Those which have up to 8 grams of “equivalent lithium content,” or about 100 watt-hours, are allowed. All lithium ion cell phone batteries are below the 8 gram threshold. Almost all laptop computer batteries are also below this equivalent lithium content.
If you have batteries that fall below the 8-gram limit, you are allowed to bring along up to 2 spare batteries with equivalent lithium content over 8 grams but below 25 grams. These must be taken on board in your carry-on baggage, not inside your checked luggage.
Lithium metal batteries have a different limit than lithium ion. The limit on the lithium metal batteries is 2 grams, whether it is installed inside an electronic device or carried along as a spare. Nearly all lithium metal batteries you have in your possession are probably below 2 grams of lithium metal; but if you need to, check with the manufacturer to be sure. These are permitted in checked baggage if installed in the device, but it is recommended that you carry them in the carry-on baggage.
What You Cannot Bring
Spare lithium metal batteries up to 2 grams are forbidden in checked baggage. Spare or installed lithium metal batteries that are over 2 grams are forbidden at all on the airlines. Lithium-ion batteries that are being carried as spares are not allowed in checked baggage, whether they are under the 8-gram limit or in the 8 to 25-gram reserve limit. Instead, pack these in the carry-on bags.
Safe Travel with Batteries
If you are packing battery-powered devices into your checked baggage, be sure that they will remain “off” for the duration of the trip. You can do this by pressing the locking switch, if they have one, or by using tape to keep the switch in the off position.
Batteries travel best in the device they are used for, or if they are spares, in the original packaging. If you are no longer in possession of the packaging, consider using tape to cover the contacts, or place each battery in its own plastic bag to keep the terminal from coming in contact with any other item.
Safety first means following just a few rules so that everyone has a more pleasant experience when traveling. You can stay up-to-date on these and other changes by visiting the U.S. Department of Transportation's website.
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