What are lithium battery carriage rules?

What counts as a lithium battery in baggage?

IATA treats lithium batteries as a subject of their own inside its dangerous goods programme: the Dangerous Goods (HAZMAT) pages carry a dedicated batteries section and a lithium battery guidance document, alongside separate material for consignments and a passenger corner. [1]

A shipment of electronic equipment containing lithium batteries is classified as a dangerous good, though IATA notes it may be exempted from the need for a formal declaration under Section II of the applicable packing instruction in the Dangerous Goods Regulations. [1]

Power banks appear in the programme under the heading “Power Banks Carried by Passengers or Crew”, and IATA has issued a separate guidance document for operators on the changes introduced for them. [1]

For passengers, the UK Civil Aviation Authority lists battery powered devices next to dangerous goods, liquids, medical equipment and mobility aids among the items whose carriage is restricted, and frames careful packing as a way to avoid delays or a missed flight. [3] For what security will and will not let through the lane, see prohibited items at security.

Who sets the rules?

Carriage of dangerous goods on board an aircraft is governed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) or by the local civil aviation authority regulations. [1] The International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes the Dangerous Goods Regulations, which it describes as a field-manual version of the ICAO Technical Instructions, written and edited by airline dangerous goods experts and described by IATA as the global reference for shipping dangerous goods by air. [1]

IATA states that its airlines are somewhat stricter in their requirements than the ICAO Technical Instructions, and that the Dangerous Goods Regulations therefore specify more precisely how a consignment must be prepared. [1] The rulebook is layered in a second way as well: Section 2 carries state variations and operator variations, and IATA publishes updates to those variations. [1] Entries listed by IATA include France (variation FRG-07), Japan Airlines (JL-11), DHL under the Q7 code (Q7-06) and European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH-DHL under the QY code (QY-06). [1]

The manual is edition-based. IATA refers to the 68th Edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations, which it says brought updates that took effect on 1 January 2027. [1]

Why is the same power bank accepted in one place and refused in another?

Identical items can be judged against different requirements, because the rules are layered rather than single. IATA states plainly that airlines are not obliged to transport a particular substance or product and are free to impose requirements beyond and above the regulations. [1] When a consignment is refused, IATA directs the shipper to the state and operator variations in Section 2 of the Dangerous Goods Regulations. [1]

The international baseline moves too. IATA records that on 27 March 2026 ICAO introduced an addendum to the Technical Instructions regarding power banks, and that IATA produced a guidance document to help operators assess, manage and implement the changes the addendum imposes. [1] That guidance is written for operators rather than for passengers: IATA describes it as a document to assist operators in assessing, managing and implementing the changes. [1]

The variation entries IATA publishes are attached to a named state or a named operator, so an entry recorded for one state or one carrier does not describe the requirements that apply to another. [1]

Exceptions and limits

• Check the variation, not just the headline rule. Section 2 of the Dangerous Goods Regulations carries state and operator variations, and the entries IATA lists are attached to specific states and specific operators, so an entry read for one country or airline is specific to that country or airline. [1]
• A compliant item can still be refused. The regulations themselves record that airlines are not obliged to transport a particular substance or product and may set requirements above and beyond them. [1]
• Proof of compliance is a manufacturer question. IATA advises checking with the manufacturer or distributor for recent production information when establishing whether a battery meets the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3, and notes that safety data sheets are not required in transport and not required at all for articles. [1]
• Consignments follow packing instructions. Electronic equipment containing lithium batteries is classified as a dangerous good, but may be exempted from the need for a formal declaration under Section II of the applicable packing instruction, which IATA's lithium battery guidance document addresses. [1]
• Where to look before flying. National passenger guidance sets out which categories of item are restricted; the UK Civil Aviation Authority groups battery powered devices with dangerous goods, liquids, medical equipment and mobility aids. [3] Packing rules for the cabin bag are covered in carry-on baggage rules and fees.

Frequently asked questions

Are power banks treated separately from other lithium batteries?

They have been addressed specifically: ICAO introduced an addendum to the Technical Instructions regarding power banks on 27 March 2026, and IATA issued guidance so that operators could assess, manage and implement the resulting changes. [1]

Does an airline have to carry my battery if it meets the rules?

No. IATA's regulations state that airlines are not obliged to transport a particular substance or product and are free to impose requirements beyond and above the regulations. [1]

Why might two flights give different answers about the same power bank?

Because state and operator variations attach to particular states and particular operators, and carriers may impose requirements of their own above the regulations; IATA lists variation entries for France, Japan Airlines, DHL under the Q7 code and European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH-DHL under the QY code. [1]

Can a safety data sheet prove my battery is allowed?

Not on its own. IATA notes that many safety data sheets do not provide accurate classification for transport purposes and advises asking the manufacturer or distributor, or having the product tested by an authorised laboratory. [1]

Where do I check the rules for a specific country or airline?

Start with the state and operator variations in Section 2 of the Dangerous Goods Regulations; IATA publishes updates to those entries. [1] National passenger guidance, such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority's baggage pages, sets out which item categories are restricted. [3]

Related pages

Carry-on baggage rules and fees, prohibited items at security, airport liquids rule, and the full frequent flyer glossary.

Sources

Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Individual airline baggage policies and the freight rules for lithium battery consignments are not covered here; the cargo side is referenced only to mark the boundary.

1. IATA, Dangerous Goods (HAZMAT), checked 18 October 2026
2. UK Civil Aviation Authority, guidelines for checked in and carry on bags, checked 18 October 2026