Cell phones, cell phone battery charging cases, laptops, cameras, smart phones, electronics, data loggers, PDAs containing lithium batteries, games, tablets, watches, etc. Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries (laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.) should be carried in carry-on baggage.

Yes, you should always place your electronic devices, especially those containing lithium-ion batteries, in your hand luggage (carry-on) rather than your checked baggage. This is a critical safety requirement enforced by the FAA and IATA because lithium batteries pose a potential fire risk; if a battery were to catch fire in the pressurized cargo hold, it is much harder to detect and extinguish than in the cabin where crew can intervene. In 2026, electronics like laptops, tablets, smartphones, and power banks must stay with you. Additionally, most airports now use advanced CT scanners, but you should still be prepared to remove large electronics (anything larger than a smartphone) from your bag for separate X-ray screening. For high-value items, keeping them in your hand luggage also provides protection against theft and the rough handling that checked suitcases often endure in the airport's automated belt systems. Always ensure your devices are charged, as security officers may ask you to power them on to prove they are functional electronic items.