Is there a limit for external power banks on international flights?

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dafman

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# 250952 2-Jun-2019 14:33

Just wondering if there is a size/capacity limit for external power banks for carry on luggage for international travel?

I've previously travelled ok with 16,000 mAh to Australia and Europe, but will be transiting Air NZ through LA, so want to make sure rules have not changed or US different from rest of world.

I ask because salesman at Harvey Norman thought anything over 10,000mAh was at risk of confiscation?

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# 2249942 2-Jun-2019 14:33

Allow me to introduce you folks to our new travel community: TravelTalk NZ.

We hope to see you there!

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

dafman

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# 2249945 2-Jun-2019 14:36

ps, I have looked online, incl. Air NZ, but couldn't find easy answer, hence my question.

Linux

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# 2249946 2-Jun-2019 14:40

@sbiddle will know

Tzoi

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# 2249949 2-Jun-2019 14:47

Generally 20,000 mAh is the max

sbiddle

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# 2249950 2-Jun-2019 14:51

Air NZ website lists their requirements. There is also a post on TravelTalk detailing this.

99% of airlines impose a 100Wh (watt hour) limit. Note this is Wh not mA so you'll need to refer to the Wh rating on your powerbank.

As most powerbanks are 3.8V this means your limit is around 26,800mA which is a standard size large powerbank.

dafman

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# 2250033 2-Jun-2019 17:34

sbiddle: Air NZ website lists their requirements. There is also a post on TravelTalk detailing this.

99% of airlines impose a 100Wh (watt hour) limit. Note this is Wh not mA so you'll need to refer to the Wh rating on your powerbank.

As most powerbanks are 3.8V this means your limit is around 26,800mA which is a standard size large powerbank.

Appreciated, cheers

sbiddle

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# 2250048 2-Jun-2019 17:58

Tzoi:
Generally 20,000 mAh is the max

Limit is 100Wh - it is not mAh.

sbiddle

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# 2250049 2-Jun-2019 17:59

Just realised predictive text on my phone changed mAh to mA in my post above. Limit is 26,800 mAh for a unit with 3.7V cells.

lomenak

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# 2250060 2-Jun-2019 19:46

I have been travelling with my 20,000 mAh power bank for a couple of years and never had it questioned whatsoever. Went to US twice in the last six months on AA and Hawaiian flights and not even a question about the content of my bag, which was a mirrorless with a couple spare batteries, go pro with a couple spare batteries, drone with spare batteries along with the before mentioned power bank..

Tinkerisk

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# 2250117 2-Jun-2019 21:48

https://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Documents/passenger-lithium-battery.pdf

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Zeon

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# 2250139 2-Jun-2019 23:27

I have seen that at some airports its the security that dictates this e.g. in Bangkok the security had a sign with a 26,8000 mAh from memory/

Linuxluver

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# 2250143 2-Jun-2019 23:55

Zeon:

I have seen that at some airports its the security that dictates this e.g. in Bangkok the security had a sign with a 26,8000 mAh from memory/

My batteries were checked in Toronto last August and the said there was a 26,000-ish mAh limit......and mine were 10k and 13k....so no problem. Thwey are worried about batteries bursting into flames.....and a large battery would be harder to control......

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sbiddle

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# 2250187 3-Jun-2019 08:44

Zeon:

I have seen that at some airports its the security that dictates this e.g. in Bangkok the security had a sign with a 26,8000 mAh from memory/

At every airport in the world it's security that always enforces restricted items. Here in NZ Avsec still confiscate hundreds of powerbanks per week across the country from people who check them into checked luggage - despite people having to actually read and agree to a statement on the Air NZ kiosk or online check-in website saying they don't have any restricted items or powerbanks!

mudguard

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# 2250239 3-Jun-2019 10:45

I asked about this for checked baggage a little while ago. I was going to play a golf tournament and wondered about the practicality of taking my electric trundler. However the 380Wh battery even exceeded the allowance for those using wheelchairs so it wasn't possible.