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Why are electronics not allowed in check in?

Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat must not be carried aboard an aircraft (e.g. carry-on or checked baggage) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed, or otherwise made safe.



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Most consumer personal electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, including but not limited to cell phones, smart phones, data loggers, PDAs, electronic games, tablets, laptop computers, cameras, camcorders, watches, calculators, etc.

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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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Laptops, tablets and iPads are not considered threats; hence passengers can take them onto planes without worry. You can either pack your iPad in a carry-on bag or checked baggage – don't forget that loose lithium batteries cannot be put into the latter though.

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Will security scans damage laptops? No, laptops and other electronic devices are not sensitive to x-ray and should not be affected by security checks. This applies to tablets, phones, cameras, MP3-players, watches, hard and flash drives.

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The main reason you have to remove your laptop from your bag is because its battery and other mechanical components are too dense for X-rays to penetrate effectively – especially if the scanning system is old. The same goes for power cords and other devices such as tablets and cameras.

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An important note about bringing electronics: Always ensure that all of your electronics with lithium batteries are charged. The TSA agents might ask you to turn your electronics on during security, and if the battery is dead or the device doesn't turn on, they're allowed to confiscate the item.

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It is generally not recommended to pack electronics in checked luggage, as they can be damaged or stolen during transport. Instead, it is usually safer to pack electronics in your carry-on luggage, where they will be under your control throughout the trip.

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Lithium batteries can catch fire
While not all batteries are prohibited in checked luggage, lithium batteries are considered hazardous and should not be packed in checked bags. If a lithium battery overheats and catches fire inside the cargo hold, the fire can quickly spread and become difficult to control.

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Most consumer personal electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, including but not limited to cell phones, smart phones, data loggers, PDAs, electronic games, tablets, laptop computers, cameras, camcorders, watches, calculators, etc.

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Remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening. (E.g. laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles.) Remember to check the bins and collect all belongings after going through screening.

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The TSA (Transport Security Agency) and most other airline regulators around the world allow you to pack laptops in hand and checked luggage. They're treated as Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs), which are considered harmless on planes.

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Phone and laptop chargers that don't contain a lithium battery are allowed on planes within the US. You can pack them in hand and checked luggage, and it doesn't matter whether they're plug-in type or wireless.

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Items that are not allowed in checked luggage
  • Aerosols (in most cases) ...
  • Any device containing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries. ...
  • Bug spray. ...
  • Christmas crackers. ...
  • Compressed gases. ...
  • Corrosive or oxidizing chemicals. ...
  • Cremated remains. ...
  • Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons.


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Do I need to remove electronics from my carry-on bags? 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. (This does not apply to TSA PreCheck™ passengers.)

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You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

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If devices are carried in checked baggage measures must be taken to prevent unintentional activation and to protect from damage and the device must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode). Large portable electronic devices such as laptops and tablets should not be packed near aerosols or perfumes.

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