Traveling With Electronics

Traveling With Electronics

By James Bowman, Data Rescue

When traveling, especially by air, there are certain regulations and recommendations regarding what electronics are safe to pack in checked baggage due to safety concerns, such as potential damage or risk of fire. Here’s a general guideline:

1. Laptops and Tablets: While it’s generally safe to pack laptops and tablets in checked baggage, it’s often recommended to carry them in your carry-on luggage instead. This is because these devices are valuable and fragile, and there’s a risk of damage or theft when placed in checked baggage. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries in laptops and tablets can pose a fire risk if damaged.
2. Smartphones: Smartphones are also typically safe to pack in checked baggage, but like laptops and tablets, it’s generally better to carry them in your carry-on luggage due to their value and the risk of damage or theft. Lithium-ion batteries in smartphones can also pose a fire risk if damaged.
3. Power Banks: Portable chargers or power banks are generally allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage, but there are restrictions on their capacity. Power banks with a capacity exceeding 100 watt-hours (Wh) are usually not allowed in checked baggage due to safety regulations. It’s best to check with your airline for specific restrictions.
4. Camera Equipment: Camera bodies, lenses, and other camera equipment are generally safe to pack in checked baggage, but like other valuable and fragile items, it’s often recommended to carry them in your carry-on luggage instead to minimize the risk of damage or theft.
5. Other Electronics: Other electronics such as e-readers, portable gaming devices, and electronic accessories are generally safe to pack in checked baggage, but it’s advisable to carry them in your carry-on luggage if possible to minimize the risk of damage or theft.
6. Electronic Devices with Lithium Batteries: It’s important to be aware of regulations regarding lithium batteries when packing electronics in both carry-on and checked baggage. Spare lithium-ion batteries (such as those used in cameras, laptops, and other devices) are typically not allowed in checked baggage and should be carried in your carry-on luggage instead. Make sure to check with your airline for specific regulations and restrictions regarding lithium batteries.

Always check with your airline for their specific policies and regulations regarding electronics in checked baggage, as they may have their own restrictions or recommendations. Additionally, consider the value, fragility, and battery type of the electronics you plan to pack when deciding whether to pack them in checked or carry-on baggage.

The FAA rules limit batteries in carry-on bags to 100-watt hours (Wh) per battery with a total limit of 160 Wh per passenger.

If the device or battery does not have the Wh listed on it, you can calculate it by multiplying the battery’s voltage (V) by its capacity in ampere-hours (Ah): (V) x (Ah) = (Wh).

If your device lists the capacity in milliampere-hours (mAh), divide it by 1,000 to get ampere-hours (Ah) for the above equation.

Hopes this helps when getting ready to travel by air.