New federal security rules put in travelling with lithium batteries

As of January 1, 2008, passengers are no longer allowed to lose lithium battery pack in their baggage. To improve passenger safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued new rules for travel with lithium batteries unintended to help prevent short circuits and fires.

Common electronics such as digital cameras, cell phones, PDAs and most laptops are still allowed to carry on and checked baggage. You can keep lithium batteries in a bag checked if they are installed in electronic devices. To hand luggage, while bulk batteries must be properly protected in their original packaging, each of the plastic bags or in case of travel protection.

In addition, any number of batteries in bulk stored in your cabin baggage should not exceed eight grams (100-watt hours) Lithium. Most cell phones and laptops batteries are less than eight grams of lithium. You can also bring in up to two batteries with a total lithium content of 25 grams (300 watt-hours). Batteries containing more than 25 grams of lithium are not allowed in either checked or carry-on baggage. If you are unsure of what you have, check the watt-hour shown on the battery or contact the manufacturer before your trip.