Is it forbidden to carry batteries in the plane's luggage? understand the rules

The moment of organizing clothes and other items for the trip to or from home is postponed until the last moment by many people, and with that some important details are not taken into account by tourists, such as transporting electronic batteries on the plane .

This issue is important since the ANAC, FAA e IATA prohibit products with batteries from lithium ion (including external batteries) are carried in luggage racks due to the risk of combustion. The limit for those carrying these items in hand luggage also requires attention. Check all the details right now so you don't have any problems on the day of your plane trip.

ANAC rules about battery in the airplane trunk

External batteries, batteries and electronic components can even be taken in checked luggage to the plane's luggage compartment, but the item must have a capacity below 100 Wh, informs the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). It is important, if the device is stored in checked luggage, to prevent possible unintentional activations.

Another rule of ANAC points out that a person can carry one (or more) devices with a battery, but this can only be done if the object is within the only a carry-on🇧🇷 At the same time, there is a limit: only devices with lithium-ion batteries with a capacity below 100 Wh can be transported without problems.

The agency justifies this rule for reasons of greater safety: in the event that the electronic batteries on the plane end up combusting, it will not be possible to prevent a fire. It is worth remembering that the baggage handler has many of the travellers' clothes, so by the time everything is under control, a great tragedy may already have happened.

In case you have a product with so-called spare batteries with a capacity between 100 and 160 Wh, up to two of this type can be transported for personal use and with proper protection against short circuits. Even so, it is worth contacting the airline before the trip takes place, as prior authorization is required to carry a battery in the suitcase with such a high capacity. Products with batteries above 160 Wh can no longer be transported on planes under any circumstances.

the rule of Powerbank on the plane applies for the classification of ANAC for external batteries and yes, they can be carried in the cabin, as long as you do not exceed the informed limit (up to 100 Wh and with prior authorization for products with batteries above that).

FAA determinations (USA)

A Federal Aviation Administration, which can be considered an “American ANAC”, also has specific rules for people arriving in or leaving the US who are considering taking electronic drums on the plane. The page on this subject informs that everything must still be kept in hand luggage or carried on the body, valid for all devices that have a battery: smartphones, notebooks, powerbanks, tablets and cameras.

But if you prefer, the devices can still be shipped with a battery in the suitcase, with caveats: these devices must be turned off, protected against accidental activation and packaged in a way that prevents damage.

There is no rule regarding the Wh of the devices that prevent them from being transported or not, but the FAA reminds that “spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping prohibited” in checked baggage. That is, if you have a device like this, you must take them in your hand luggage.

The organization also reminds that even though they are with the passengers, it is important that these devices are protected against damage, accidental activation and possible combustion. In any case, it is worth checking with the airline so that there are no problems on the day of the trip.

How are the trips to Europe?

European countries follow a rule similar to that of ANAC in terms of powerbanks in the checked bag, but there are some differences that you need to be aware of in order not to have problems.

The first is that both in hand luggage and in the bag that goes to the luggage compartment, up to 15 devices with batteries weighing 2 grams can be transported. This applies to devices such as smartphones, cameras, tablets, smart watches and most of the electronic devices we use in our daily lives.

In addition to weight, there is the rule that a product with a lithium-ion battery cannot have a capacity of more than 100 Wh to be taken without authorization before the trip. And it is possible to take it only in your hand luggage, without the possibility of putting it in your checked luggage when boarding.

If you do the math and the result is between 100 Wh and 160 Wh, it is important to get in touch with the airline you bought the ticket and ask for prior authorization to transport equipment such as photo and video cameras, medical equipment, drones , powerbanks with a 20.000 mAh battery and even smart bags with removable batteries. Devices with a capacity of more than 160 Wh cannot be carried either in the checked bag or in the hand luggage.

There is one exception: people can even carry powerbanks with more than 27.000 mAh, fried, e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers of any type, but there can only be 15 devices like this in a checked bag and up to 20 external batteries are accepted. Transport in hand luggage is prohibited in all cases.

How to know the capacity in Wh of a device

Batteries of smartphones, batteries and other devices used to recharge other gadgets usually have their power measured in milliamps and right here in showmetech, when we are going to create a story, we choose to indicate the energy capacity in mAh. But when you travel, it's important to know if your power bank in your hand luggage is within the limits of ANAC and other regulatory bodies. And the math to convert mAh to Wh is simple.

You just need to follow the following rule: voltage (V) x current (Ah) = Power (Wh). Most powerbanks have an average voltage of 3.7V, but it is worth checking the box or even the product to find the correct number and not make a mistake in the calculation. Taking the average voltage as a basis, let's imagine that a powerbank has 5000 (5,0) mAh:

3.7V x 5Ah = 18,5 Wh (watt-hour)

With this account in mind, the powerbank could easily be taken in your hand luggage on your plane trip, as it does not even come close to the limit imposed by ANAC🇧🇷 Can you take more than one external battery on your trip? Yes, of course, but pay attention to the 100 Wh limit so you don't have problems and end up having to leave the items at the place of origin of the trip.

If you need to take notebooks, tablets and smartphones, the rule follows the same: it is important to pay attention to the Wh capacity of the devices so that the airline does not block them.

Tips for not having problems transporting electronics

As much as the rules of the country or place you are traveling are available on the official website of the body or company, it is always worth checking if there is not a specific detail that can give you problems when traveling.

Of course, many products are sold at a lower price abroad and Brazilians love to give gifts to their loved ones, but be careful not to buy more than what is allowed and have to scrap or delay your flight by having to put everything in your luggage. hand.

Always understand that while carrying a lot of items may seem necessary, there are rules that are taken seriously for the greater good of all travelers on the same plane as you. If your power bank is identified in the checked bag, it may be discarded or the owner may be required to remove it from the larger bag and transport it in the hand bag. Make a review before you even leave the house or place you are staying so you don't have surprises.

Have you ever had problems transporting electronics on planes? Comment with us Comment!

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With information: ANAC l FAA l IATA