Matt Molnar
2007-12-28, 06:10 PM
On January 1, 2008 the DOT is implementing new restrictions on flying with lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries. The most prevalent devices with these types of batteries are cameras, laptop computers and cell phones, so must of us will be affected. As usual, there is no explanation why they are implementing these rules, so it can only be speculated that it is to prevent the possibility of these batteries shorting out and causing a fire in the baggage hold, though to my knowledge this has never happened.
Here is a quick snapshot of the new rules...
BANNED
Spare (not installed) lithium batteries in checked baggage
Lithium-metal batteries containing over 2 grams of lithium in any baggage (most lithium-metal batteries are below 2 grams)
Lithium-ion batteries containing over 25 grams of lithium in any baggage (most lithium-ion camera, laptop and cellphone batteries are below 8 grams, some large laptop batteries and professional video camera batteries are between 8 and 25 grams)
ALLOWED
Spare (not installed) lithium batteries in carry-on baggage
Installed lithium batteries in checked baggage (with safety measures taken to ensure the device does not turn on)
See the DOT's Safe Travel (http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html) site for more details, including lithium weight limits.
Here is a quick snapshot of the new rules...
BANNED
Spare (not installed) lithium batteries in checked baggage
Lithium-metal batteries containing over 2 grams of lithium in any baggage (most lithium-metal batteries are below 2 grams)
Lithium-ion batteries containing over 25 grams of lithium in any baggage (most lithium-ion camera, laptop and cellphone batteries are below 8 grams, some large laptop batteries and professional video camera batteries are between 8 and 25 grams)
ALLOWED
Spare (not installed) lithium batteries in carry-on baggage
Installed lithium batteries in checked baggage (with safety measures taken to ensure the device does not turn on)
See the DOT's Safe Travel (http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html) site for more details, including lithium weight limits.