Travelling with our gadgets is about to get more interesting starting on January 1, 2008. The US Transportation and Security Administration has issued new rules for spare batteries (defined as those batteries that are carried separately from the devices that they power). The new rules state that:
- You may not pack a spare lithium battery in your checked baggage
- You may bring spare lithium batteries with you in carry-on baggage – see our spare battery tips and how-to sections to find out how to pack spare batteries safely!
- Even though we recommend carrying your devices with you in carry-on baggage as well, if you must bring one in checked baggage, you may check it with the batteries installed.
The new rules are being put in place because, according to the agency, spare lithium ion batteries pose a fire hazard to planes.
If you travel with gadgets, be aware that there are also rules around the maximum amount of lithium that you can bring aboard with your batteries.