Hi all,

We got back from a trip to Yellowstone and Chicago just recently (It was fantastic BTW!!!) and the guy on security told me that "spare" Lithium batteries are no longer allowed to be carried on in your hand luggage on US flights. Batteries that are actually attached to the equipment they are powering is OK. Apparently this is a new rule and I just wanted to pass it on to everyone here ... I would HATE to lose any of my batteries this way.

Hope this isn't outdated info but it was something I hadn't read of beforehand.

Imelda

Before anyone reads this and panics I think they should go to "http://www.safetravel.dot.gov/" and read the new law for themselves. In fact it will really not impact the our battery travel methods. This topic was scrutinized weeks ago, on this forum and even more fully on all of the photography forums. The net consensus was that other than the basic precaution of protecting the battery terminals from short circuit, there were no other real limitations or restirctions. Keep in mind that only certain large, uninstalled, lithium ion batteries even fall under the "2 per passenger" limitation". Most camera batteries and all but the extended service laptop batteries are too small to be regulated by this new law. What has changed is that it is no longer possible to pack lithium ion batteries in you check in luggage.
Hope this info helps.
Regards-Chuck

<b>the guy on security told me that &quot;spare&quot; Lithium batteries are no longer allowed to be carried on in your hand luggage on US flights.</b>

I believe he told you the wrong thing ... the January 1 law won't let you carry extra lithium batteries in CHECKED-IN bags. You can still bring a couple of large extras in hand baggage and many small ones (the size that works in digital cameras), if you need them. At least that's the way I understood it.

Bill

Oops, VERY sorry if I caused panic / confusion!!! I hadn't read anything about that rule before I went and was completely taken by surprise at the baggage scanner. The security guy DID say that no spare lithium batteries in hand baggage though ... I swear it wasn't me that mixed it up . He specifically asked me if I had any spare lithium batteries in my carry on!!!

Apologies again for posting the wrong info ... at least now I know the correct version

I believe the ban is on spare lithium not lithium ion batteries. Lithium batteries are non-rechargeable as oppossed to the rechargeable lithium ion. For example, I use Surefire flashlights because they are incredibly strong, light and powerful. They use small Lithium batteries which might affect my ability to carry loose spares. I wasn't planning to carry any spares since they have a long life - plenty for my travel needs on a two week trip or so. Also, I think some very large rechargeable lithium ion batteries maybe affected but probably only for pro cameras, etc.

I do think it is confusing and I wonder how well the TSA agents will be able to understand and properly enforce these rules.

Welcome back. For those of us who can barely figure out what battery to stick in what device, it is even more confusing. I am sure the airlines will be getting more calls on this. Maybe we can also ask at an electronics store.

Please tell us about your trip--either here or stick in a link.

Thanks!

Here's a write-up on the issue (where I first saw it):
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0712/07...strictions.asp

One effect this has on me is that a NiMH battery I use as a battery pack for fast flash recyle will go into carry-on instead of checked bags because I think they would see it on the scanner and open the bag to check whether it's lithium. So it's a bit of a hassle.

Just to recap what this article says, no &quot;loose&quot; lithiums in checked bags, and &quot;two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries&quot; in hand-carry bags. By &quot;extended-life&quot; they (somewhere) specify 100 watt-hours of power (which are really big), while most of the batteries for digi-cams and laptops are much smaller than this, maybe 10 watt-hours.

Bill

Might be handy to carry a printed copy of the TSA rules with you.

Welcome back, Imelda! Any luck with the wolves?

I'm not surprised that the security guy gave you completely incorrect info.

Does anyone really think TSA will be able to differentiate between which batteries do or don't exceed 8 grams of equivalent lithium/100 watt hours when they don't even know if they're supposed to be banned from checked or carry-on luggage?

Ibodem,
Rather than confuse people even further, why not go to the TSA,safe travel with Batteries website and read the info yourself. Both primary litium and lithium ion batteries are included in the regulation, neither may be packed in checked luggage. If your concerned about batteries for a particular device, note either the watt hours or the lithium content (in net grams) and be prepared to show that to the TSA agent along with the printed TSA regulation. I think a smile and a bit of cooperation will go a long way at getting through the security checkpoints. Be sure to keep loose batteries in seperate plastic bags with the contacts protected from short circuiting. These are wise precautions to follow for all types of batteries, not just lithium and lithium ion types.
Regards-Chuck

FWIW, over on the dpreview.com photography site there has been no discussion regarding this since first of year. My conclusion being that photographers are not having any problems, TSA or otherwise, with this. Anyone hearing any different?

regards - tom

Hi all,

We are leaving for Tanzania Fri., Jan. 18. Our cameras take AA batteries. We're taking all lithium batteries and have installed all spares in $1.00 flashlights from Wal-mart taping the switches to prevent accidental turn-on. Not willing to chance that TSA, carry-on inspectors will have a clear understanding of the new regs.

Robert

Clever. And you have working flashlights !!!!

regards - tom

Again, apologies for the confusion - I was pretty surprised by what the security guy told me so thought I'd post it on here 'just in case' anyone would get caught out and lose batteries .... it's good to hear that the new rule doesn't seem to be causing too many problems though.

Lynn &amp; Patty - Thanks for the Welcome back. I promise I will post a brief report (I didn't keep a journal so it will be from memory) shortly. Very briefly though, it was AWESOME and we had fantastic luck with our wolf sightings and it was SOOOOO cold, I never experienced cold like it in all my life ... but soooo worth the near-frostbite .

Imelda

Imelda,
I think your post did the forum a big favor by calling attention to this new regulation and you probably saved some of us from a hassles at airport security. At least we all now know the regulations. Warm up-Polar Bear are waiting.
Regards-Chuck

Good info here, thanks. &lt

Just got back from a trip to California, had lithium batteries in my luggage (4AA non rechargables) and they made it back home with me. No signs at TSA checkpoints regarding batteries.

Thanks Chuck, I was a little bit having posted the complete wrong info .... glad you found the post helpful though
Can I ask, where and when are you off Polar Bear Watching??? It's something I long to do but the October / November timing of Churchill never seems to suit us

Imelda

A 'real world' update on this as I sit in Newark after my morning flight, waiting to board a flight to Amsterdam ... this morning I had four extra batteries in my carry-on bags and passed thru without a 2nd glance on the part of the TSA screener.

Two were Lithiums for the Canon 1D series, about the size of a Baby Ruth candy bar, a third was a fairly large laptop spare (a 6 hr extended life lithium) and the 4th was an NiMH for my flash, about the size of a ham sandwich (I usually pack this one in checked luggage but was afraid it would cause them to open the bag, so carried it).

I felt the number or size would warrant a closer inspection but they didn't bat an eye. I asked the guy about the rule and he said it has to be a BIG lithium to be flagged. So smaller AA size or smaller digi-cam batteries are all OK.

At least that's the way it is interpreted by TSA at the moment.

Bill

Thanks for reporting Bill - great news that there are no hassles!

Imelda