Guide To Travelling With 18650 and 21700 Vape Batteries On A Plane
There are lots of rules in airports that restrict which items can be taken on planes and in what quantities. This particularly affects vapers, who have to worry about taking liquids, electronic devices and batteries when they travel abroad.
When it comes to vape batteries, what you can take on board depends on the device and battery type. In this article, we’ll explain which batteries e-cigarettes use, whether they can be taken on a plane and if you can take them on your handheld or hold luggage.
Always make sure you safely transport your 18650 and 21700 batteries in a protective casing to avoid short-circuiting.
Molicel P42A 21700 Battery
Molicel 18650 Vape Battery
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Which batteries do e-cigarettes and vapes use?
E-cigarettes of all types typically use lithium-ion batteries. These can either be internal batteries which can’t be removed or external batteries which can be removed and stored separately.
Smaller devices like disposable vapes, pens, pods and some mods have internal batteries. These are typically fine to take on planes as long as they are in your handheld luggage, switched off and are not used on the plane.
Larger mods often use external batteries, such as 18650 or 21700 li-ion batteries. These tend to have restrictions on how many you can take and where you can store them on the plane.
There are lots of rules in airports that restrict which items can be taken on planes and in what quantities. This particularly affects vapers, who have to worry about taking liquids, electronic devices and batteries when they travel abroad.
When it comes to vape batteries, what you can take on board depends on the device and battery type. In this article, we’ll explain which batteries e-cigarettes use, whether they can be taken on a plane and if you can take them on your handheld or hold luggage.
Always make sure you safely transport your 18650 and 21700 batteries in a protective casing to avoid short-circuiting.
Can you take 18650 and 21700 lithium-ion vape batteries on planes?
Yes, you can take 18650 and 21700 lithium-ion batteries on planes, although it depends on which companies you fly with and whether you store the batteries in your handheld or check-in luggage.
With most airlines, you can carry up to two spare batteries (and one inside the device) in your handheld/carry-on luggage, with some allowing up to 4 spare batteries in handheld luggage.
It’s important you check the restricted items list for your airline before travelling to make sure you abide by their safety regulations.
Checklist to taking lithium-ion batteries on planes:
If you’re taking lithium-ion batteries on a plane, it’s essential that you follow best practices and ensure your batteries are stored securely and safely:
- Ensure the batteries are not damaged in any way (no scratches or tears in the protective cover, insulator ring present and intact).
- The batteries are kept away from any liquids and are in secure packaging.
- If the battery is inside a device in your check-in luggage, ensure the device is switched off and can’t accidentally turn on.
- Spare batteries are not allowed in check-in luggage. They should be in your handheld luggage only.
- Lithium-ion batteries taken on planes must not exceed 100-watt hours (you can calculate this by dividing the mAh rating by 1000, then multiplying it by the voltage).
How many batteries can you take on planes?
Typically you can take up to 2 spare external batteries onto a plane, with one more inside the device. Some airlines allow you to take up to 4 spares with another inside the device. In all cases, the batteries must be securely stored.
This should be in their original retail packaging. If you don’t have the original case they arrived in, at the very least you should tape the ends so the battery cannot short circuit and cause a fire or explosion.
Can you take batteries in hand/cabin luggage?
Yes, most airlines allow you to take 2 spare lithium-ion batteries in your handheld (carry-on) luggage, plus another inside the device (which must be switched off).
Some airlines allow you to take up to 4 spare batteries in your handheld luggage, so check with your airline before flying. You must ensure all batteries you take are securely sealed in their protective casing.
If you don’t have a protective casing (you should always use a protective casing when transporting li-ion batteries anywhere), at the very least you should tape up the ends of the battery so it cannot short circuit.
Be aware that some airport customs may not allow you to take external batteries on a plane unless they have a protective casing.
Can you take batteries in hold luggage (suitcase)?
No, you cannot take vape batteries on a plane in your hold luggage (check-in luggage that goes into the plane’s cargo hold).
You should instead take them in your carry-on luggage (handheld), with the maximum amount allowed depending on the airline you’re travelling with.
