Pack smart, play your part. Together, we fly safer.

Kia ora traveller, thanks for playing your part to keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure. Together, we fly safer.

If there’s one thing we’d like you to know, it’s that you must pack all spare lithium batteries in your carry-on only. Lithium batteries power many everyday items like power banks, vapes, earbuds, hearing aids, power tools, and drones.

To help make sure you know the rules before getting to the airport check out the information on this page, and don’t forget to check with your airline.

Download: Dangerous goods campaign poster [PDF 368 KB]

Why battery safety matters

Lithium batteries are dangerous goods and can overheat and catch fire. That’s why airlines require passengers to put power banks and all spare lithium batteries in the cabin. It’s easier and safer for the trained crew to deal with a fire in the cabin of a plane.

So far in 2025, AvSec has removed more than 250,000 batteries from luggage across New Zealand airports – simply because they weren’t packed safely or correctly.

Most of the batteries removed from checked bags are power banks, spare batteries, and other lithium powered devices. This shows many travellers are still unclear about the rules. Research also confirms that many people remain unsure or get it wrong when deciding where dangerous goods should be packed.

Safety and security rely on multiple layers of protection, including you. It’s everyone’s job to have a safe flight and that begins with what you pack in your bag.

What you need to know

• All spare lithium batteries must go in carry-on and follow the packing restrictions. Lithium batteries power many everyday items like power banks, vapes, earbuds, hearing aids, power tools, and drones.
• All spare batteries must be individually protected by being in their retail packaging, an individual bag, a protective pouch, or with tape placed over the exposed terminals.
• Airlines allow a person to carry a total of 20 spare batteries unless they approve more batteries to be carried. Check with your airline for their specific restrictions.
• Battery powered heated hair styling devices are not permitted unless the battery, heating element, or other component can be removed. An example of 'other component' is a flight ready tag that, when removed, isolates the battery from the heating element. See the full explanation of battery powered hair straightening devices
• Some devices powered by lithium batteries such as laptops, phones, e-readers, or cameras, may be carried in checked bags. These devices must be completely switched off and protected from accidental activation or damage. Although, it’s recommended you always keep them with you in carry-on. Some airlines already mandate that you to keep these items with you in carry-on.
• Not sure what’s allowed? Always check with your airline. Comprehensive information can also be found on our Travelling with batteries page.

The watt-hour restrictions

A watt hour (Wh) is how much power a battery can deliver over an hour. The common reason you would need to know the Wh of a battery is if you’re flying with a power bank or larger than normal battery, like a power tool or drone battery. You can generally find the Wh number on the label of your device or battery.

If a lithium battery is:

• up to 100Wh, it’s fine to travel in carry-on
• between 100Wh and 160Wh, your airline must approve them to be carried
• above 160Wh, it's prohibited from travelling on an aircraft.

Each person is limited to taking two batteries that exceed 100wh with airline approval.

Before you fly

Don’t leave it to chance, make sure you know what can and can’t travel with you.

Always check with your airline.

For a full list of packing tips, visit What can I bring? and the Travelling with batteries page. Following these guidelines helps to ensure that you can travel safely and will prevent delays at security screening.

Pack smart, play your part. Together, we fly safer.

This campaign is supported by Air New Zealand and the New Zealand Airports Association.

Resources

Dangerous goods campaign poster [PDF 368 KB]

Dangerous goods campaign flyer [PDF 171 KB]

Dangerous goods campaign table talker - English [PDF 145 KB]

Dangerous goods campaign table talker - Hindi [PDF 212 KB]

Dangerous goods campaign table talker - Simplified Chinese [PDF 159 KB]