TSA Bans Lithium Batteries From Checked Bags

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that passengers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage beginning January 1, 2008 once new federal safety rules take effect. The new regulation, designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, will continue to allow lithium batteries in checked baggage if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags.

Common consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones, and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, the rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries, such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage.

Specifically, the new regulation works as follows: a passenger can check baggage with a lithium metal battery (installed in a device) containing up to two grams of lithium. A spare lithium metal battery containing less than two grams of lithium (not installed) will only be allowed in carry-on baggage. Lithium metal batteries containing more than two grams of lithium are forbidden in both checked and carry-on baggage. The rules for lithium-ion are the same, but with the allowable lithium content levels being eight grams for checked baggage with an installed device, and eight grams for non-installed carry-on baggage. There is also a category for "special cases&qquot; which allows for up to two lithium-ion batteries (between 8 and 25 grams of aggregate lithium content) in checked baggage, and the same for both spare and installed batteries in carry-on baggage.

"Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires," said Krista Edwards, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

A press release stated that the government considers lithium batteries to be hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite in certain conditions. Safety testing conducted by the FAA found that current aircraft cargo fire suppression system would not be capable of suppressing a fire if a shipment of non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited in flight.

"This rule protects the passenger," said Lynne Osmus, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Assistant Administrator for Security and Hazardous Materials. "It’s one more step for safety. It’s the right thing to do and the right time to do it."