Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

TSA Bans Popular Travel Item From Checked Bags—Here’s What You Need to Know
Only In Your State ^ | June 3, 2025 | Jasmine Vieau

Posted on 06/04/2025 9:33:50 AM PDT by Twotone

Flying soon? TSA just banned lithium batteries from checked bags. Here’s what’s allowed and how to pack your electronics the right way.

If you’re like me and always pack a portable charger or spare battery for your devices, you’ll want to pay close attention to a new rule that could impact your next trip. The TSA has just banned lithium batteries—including those in power banks and charging cases—from checked luggage. Here’s what you need to know before you head to the airport.

What You Need to Know

Spare lithium batteries (including power banks and charging cases) are now banned from checked luggage. All lithium batteries and battery-powered devices must be carried in your carry-on. Battery terminals must be protected from short circuit (tape, cases, or original packaging). There are size and quantity limits for larger batteries—most travelers won’t be affected. Damaged or recalled batteries and devices are not allowed on any flight.

Checked bag fees are rising, making carry-on space even more valuable.

Why the Ban?

Lithium batteries power nearly all our favorite travel gadgets, but they can pose a serious safety risk if not handled properly. All lithium-ion batteries are capable of overheating and entering a process called “thermal runaway,” which can lead to fires—especially dangerous in the cargo hold where they’re harder to contain. The FAA and TSA have seen several incidents recently, including power banks catching fire mid-flight, so they’re tightening the rules to keep everyone safe.

What’s Actually Banned?

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can and can’t pack:

Banned from checked bags:

Allowed in carry-on only:

Installed batteries:

Damaged or recalled batteries/devices:

Tip: If your carry-on is checked at the gate, you must remove all lithium batteries and keep them with you in the cabin.


TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: batteries; checkedbags; flying; lithiumbatteries; travel; tsa
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

1 posted on 06/04/2025 9:33:50 AM PDT by Twotone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Twotone

Flying isn’t what it used to be. I was piloting the last aircraft I flew in back in 1992. I don’t trust anybody else.


2 posted on 06/04/2025 9:36:56 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (The DemonRATS have replaced Hitler with "Doc" Jill's "Taco" slur to attack President Trump. Nice!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Twotone

On TSA crap on cruise ship boarding.
Cruise line policy allows folks to have and use walkie talkies.
Yet March 2025, boarding in Tampa, TSA would not allow me to take radios Ive been taking for 15 years on travel.
Out of control govt
Still at large


3 posted on 06/04/2025 9:39:18 AM PDT by George from New England (escaped CT back in 2006)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Twotone

It seems to me that the airlines have banned lithium batteries from checked bags for some time now. I guess the TSA is formalizing what the airlines have already been doing.


4 posted on 06/04/2025 9:42:44 AM PDT by SSS Two
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Twotone

I actually agree with this ban.

It’s only on checked luggage.
You can still have lithium batteries in your carry on. Most battery packs aren’t very big at all.

If you are ever on a jet where a fire starts in the cargo hold, you’ll wish you weren’t. Although the smoke will probably kill you first, it’s basically just a hot enclosed griddle and you are the the steak.


5 posted on 06/04/2025 9:43:15 AM PDT by z3n (Kakistocracy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Twotone

I’ve not heard of any lithium batteries for personal devices ever going off, producing flames in cabin areas.


6 posted on 06/04/2025 9:49:40 AM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: z3n

So why exactly are lithium batteries dangerous?


7 posted on 06/04/2025 9:54:29 AM PDT by Savage Beast (There's a Light over the Whole World. I just want everybody to be happy, healthy and well. --DJT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: z3n
It’s only on checked luggage.

What happens when you are on a puddle jumper flight (regional airline) and are forced to give up your bag because of size limitations. The people at the gate have no way of knowing what is in the carry on bag...

8 posted on 06/04/2025 9:56:20 AM PDT by EVO X ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Twotone

Lemme know when they ban muslims and DEI employees then I’ll feel a smidge safer.


9 posted on 06/04/2025 9:56:42 AM PDT by Frank Drebin (And don't ever let me catch you guys in America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

I haven’t heard of any incidents, either. But I know these batteries can ignite. If they went off in the cabin, wouldn’t the fire still be very hard to put out?


10 posted on 06/04/2025 10:03:12 AM PDT by Twotone ( What's the difference between a politician & a flying pig? The letter "F.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: George from New England

How about recieve only, like scanners or SW?


11 posted on 06/04/2025 10:06:14 AM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

You just need one dumb school kid who shorts out the USB port of his ChromeBook to overload the battery and ignite it.

Kids have been doing this in school.


12 posted on 06/04/2025 10:08:07 AM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Twotone

Absolutely.


13 posted on 06/04/2025 10:08:38 AM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Scrambler Bob

So kids have been destroying their Chrome book for fun?


14 posted on 06/04/2025 10:09:19 AM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Twotone

If your lithium battery catches fire but you have it in your carryon, then you can just open the door and throw it out.


15 posted on 06/04/2025 10:10:05 AM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Savage Beast

If they short out, they can overheat and burst into flames. About 10 years ago a dive boat off Santa Barbara Island burned to the waterline, killing all but one or 2 that were sleeping on deck. The cause was determined to be the Lithium Ion batteries that the divers were re-charging in the main cabin while they slept. There have been numerous fires involving E-bike batteries and EV’s (cars). E-bikes are banned from high-rise apartment buildings in NYC.


16 posted on 06/04/2025 10:10:28 AM PDT by Tallguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

Have you never met, or been, a kid before?


17 posted on 06/04/2025 10:13:04 AM PDT by Teacher317
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Scrambler Bob

Don’t know
DEI staffer mumbled something about being a 4-way device
No satisfaction
Since I made a big stink, they said my confisc devices would be with ship security, on the ship.
It was wazteful of my time, but got them back 3 hours in sailing.
Tried to get anyone on ship to give me letter approving my radios but was met with no-my job atgitude.


18 posted on 06/04/2025 10:14:03 AM PDT by George from New England (escaped CT back in 2006)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

I've seen the videos but not experienced a cabin fire myself yet. And it's really hard (near impossible) to extinguish them once they are lit. I don't know if it's just cheap Chinese manufacturing, or designed failure obsolescence, or conspiracy theory attacks that are driving the recent battery woes. But I can guarantee a lithium fire anywhere on the plane will ruin your day, but especially so where there are no humans to intervene.


19 posted on 06/04/2025 10:15:27 AM PDT by so_real ( "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Teacher317

Yes, but not a stupid kid.


20 posted on 06/04/2025 10:16:23 AM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson