The portable charger or power bank has become a must-have item in your carry-on luggage, almost as important as your passport. After all, it’s a lifesaver in airports without power outlets and with delayed flights. However, every time we arrive at security, we are plagued by doubts: do I have to take it out of my suitcase like my laptop? The short answer is no. However, there is a much stricter and unchanging security rule that few people know about.
The TSA’s primary rule regarding portable chargers is that they must always travel with us in the cabin. Under no circumstances can we check them in and put them in our checked luggage. Whether you have to take it out for TSA personnel to inspect it will depend on each airport. In this article, we’ll explain the reasons behind these unique security measures and what the TSA will ask you to do with your personal items.
The dangers of lithium batteries
Believe it or not, airport security agents’ obsession with lithium batteries is justified. The thing is, lithium-ion batteries can overheat while you’re on the plane. This is a phenomenon where the battery, which does not overheat, enters into a chain reaction that causes it to heat up rapidly, release extreme heat, and emit toxic gases until it causes a fire or explosion. Needless to say, if this happens inside an airplane in flight, the consequences can be lethal for the crew and passengers.
This is why spare lithium batteries are prohibited in cargo holds. If they go into thermal runaway, a lithium fire in the hold is almost impossible to control. Although it may seem counterintuitive, it is better for them to be inside the cabin, closely monitored by passengers and flight attendants alike. The fact is that the aircraft’s automatic fire extinguishing systems are not designed to suppress the intensity and chemical nature of a lithium fire. By keeping them in carry-on luggage, they can be monitored throughout the journey. In addition, the flight crew is trained to detect incidents and use emergency protocols with fireproof containment bags.
Unfortunately, these events are not theoretical, but are happening more and more often. This was the case when a Power Bank caught fire and never flew within South Korea in January 2025. It was so severe that it forced an emergency evacuation. Cases like this cause the TSA and other international protection agencies to increase surveillance and enforce existing rules more strictly.
How to travel with a portable charger through the airport
To travel with your Power Bank or lithium batteries without any problems, remember three extra rules:
All external batteries must only be carried in your carry-on luggage. Putting them in checked luggage not only carries a fire risk, but also has monetary consequences. The TSA has the authority to impose severe fines (up to $17,062), confiscate the device, or even suspend your participation in programs such as TSA PreCheck. In the end, the laziness of having to carry a Power Bank with you can be very costly.
Portable chargers are measured by electrical capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh). The standard capacity is 100 watt-hours (Wh) or less. This is sufficient for the vast majority of consumer chargers, generally those of approximately 27,000 mAh or less (calculated at 3.7V). If you are traveling with a portable charger between 101 Wh and 160 Wh, you will need prior approval from the airline. In addition, there is a limit of two chargers per person. Batteries exceeding 160 Wh are not allowed to be carried on board.
Exposed battery terminals pose a risk of short-circuiting if they come into contact with metal (such as keys or coins). It is best to carry spare batteries protected, either in their original packaging, with electrical tape over the metal contacts, or stored individually in plastic bags or protective cases.
Although it is not necessary to remove it for inspection like a laptop, you should do so if you are carrying a large power bank close to the 100 Wh limit. If the airport has an old scanner, it is best to play it safe and remove it along with your laptop.