Lithium Battery & Electronics Travel Hub
The definitive guide to Watt-hour (Wh) thresholds, spare battery packaging, airline approval requirements, and Asian aviation marking laws.
1. Interactive Watt-Hour (Wh) Calculator
If your battery or power bank only states milliamp-hours (mAh) and Voltage (V), use our calculator to verify its legal carriage status:
🔋 Battery watt-hour calculator
Power banks show mAh, airlines limit Wh. Under 100 Wh flies free in carry-on; 100–160 Wh needs airline approval.
2. The Three Statutory Watt-Hour (Wh) Categories
Category 1: Under 100 Wh (Standard Consumer Electronics)
No Airline ApprovalCovers almost all smartphones, tablets, laptops, wireless headphones, camera batteries, and power banks up to ~27,000 mAh.
- Carry-on: Permitted with no airline quantity limit (reasonable personal use).
- Checked: Installed inside a device (laptop turned OFF) is permitted; spare loose batteries are strictly prohibited.
Category 2: 101 Wh – 160 Wh (Extended Capacity & Pro Video)
Airline Approval RequiredCovers high-capacity laptop power stations, professional cinema camera batteries (V-mount/Gold-mount), and extended drone battery packs.
- Carry-on: Permitted ONLY with prior airline approval (maximum of 2 spare batteries per passenger).
- Checked: Installed inside equipment requires airline approval; spare loose batteries are strictly prohibited.
Category 3: Over 160 Wh (Industrial & Electric Vehicles)
BANNED on Passenger AircraftCovers electric bicycles, hoverboards, high-power electric scooters, and commercial power generators. Strictly prohibited from both carry-on and checked luggage on passenger flights (allowed solely via dedicated cargo freighters under ICAO Class 9 hazmat shipping).
3. Spare Battery Terminal Protection & International Marking Laws
Short-Circuit Terminal Protection
Federal law requires all spare batteries to be protected from short circuits: keep them in original retail packaging, place non-conductive electrical tape over exposed contacts, or store each battery in a separate plastic pouch.
Asia / CAAC Factory Marking Law
Aviation authorities in China (CAAC), Singapore, and across Asia strictly confiscate any power bank whose capacity text (Wh or mAh + V) has rubbed off or is missing. Hand-written labels are rejected.