Can chargers go in checked luggage?

You can bring a portable charger on a plane if it is packed securely in your carry-on luggage. You cannot pack chargers in check-in luggage. Battery components can cause fires in the wrong conditions, and flight crews can respond to a fire in a carry-on bag faster and more efficiently than a fire in the cargo hold.



Whether chargers can go in checked luggage depends entirely on whether they contain an internal battery. Standard wall chargers (the plastic bricks with no battery) and simple cables have no restrictions and can be placed in either checked or carry-on bags. However, portable chargers and power banks (which contain lithium-ion batteries) are strictly prohibited from checked luggage by the FAA and TSA in 2026. This is because lithium batteries pose a fire risk; if they short-circuit or overheat in the cargo hold, a fire could go undetected. If a battery is installed inside a device—like a laptop, phone, or camera—the device can be checked as long as it is completely powered off, though airlines still strongly recommend keeping these in your carry-on. In 2026, many airlines have become even stricter, with some requiring portable chargers to be kept "on your person" or in a clear pouch for visibility, ensuring that the crew can quickly respond to any "thermal incidents" or smoke during the flight.

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Actually, airlines do not allow power banks in the cargo luggage for the purpose of safety. Power banks are essentially batteries that utilise lithium cells. Lithium batteries have a tendency to combust, and are therefore prohibited for cargo transport, as part of air-transport regulations.

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Firearms and ammunition, as well as any replicas or imitations. Explosives and flammable items, such as fireworks, gas, and aerosols. Poisonous and toxic substances, including pesticides and certain chemicals. Lithium batteries and other hazardous materials, as these can pose a safety risk if not handled properly.

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Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags. For more information, see the FAA guidance on portable rechargers. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page.

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This covers typical dry cell batteries and lithium metal and lithium ion batteries for consumer electronics (AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, camera batteries, laptop batteries, etc.) Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal and lithium ion batteries are always prohibited in checked baggage and must be placed in carry-on.

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We recommend packing all liquids, gels, and aerosols that are over 3.4 oz or 100 ml in your checked baggage, even if they are in a secure, tamper-evident bag. Liquids more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml not in a secure, tamper-evident bag must be packed in checked baggage.

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Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.

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Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

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Checked Baggage Screening The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. Inspection Notices: TSA may inspect your checked baggage during the screening process. If your property is physically inspected, TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag.

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Checked Bags: Yes
The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces). See the FAA regulations for more information. Permitted aerosol release devices (button/nozzle) must be protected by caps or other suitable means to prevent accidental release.

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For the TSA, which regulates travel in the United States, all liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. All liquids must fit into a single, clear quart-size bag — passengers can only pack one of these bags in their carry-on.

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Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage. They must be carried with the passenger in carry-on baggage.

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Power banks and portable chargers must be carried in carry-on baggage. However, when installed in a device, a battery may be carried in checked baggage, said IATA on its website. In items like smart luggage that have power banks installed, the power banks must be removable and should be removed before the flight.

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“When a laptop is left behind, it's recorded in the lost and found log at the airport and stored in a secure location,” the TSA said in the caption. “The most common way laptops are forgotten is when travelers stack a bin on top of the bin their laptop is in.

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Putting your laptop in a checked bag can cause it to get damaged from the rough baggage handling and the stacking of bags over one another. Putting your laptop, a valuable item, in checked baggage also means a higher chance of its disappearance.

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Yes, you should plan to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and put them in a separate bin with nothing placed on or under them for security screening.

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