Batteries - lithium | aviation.govt.nz

Carry-on bag

Checked-in luggage

Can I take this item on a plane?

Yes, you can take spare lithium batteries, including powerbanks, in your carry-on bag but they cannot travel in your checked luggage. Lithium batteries can travel in checked luggage but only if they are in a device they provide power to and only if the device is turned off.

For information on lithium batteries travelling in a device please refer:

Notice of change

Flex-volt batteries with travel caps, that have combined Watt-hours that exceed 160Wh, will not be permitted to travel on passengers’ aircraft from 20 March 2026.

AvSec previously considered the flex-volt batteries, including DeWalt Flex-volt, as three separate batteries contained in a single case separated by a plastic [transport] safety cap. Advice from AvSec’s Dangerous Goods Regulator confirmed flex-volt batteries are not three separate batteries but are instead a single battery that exceeds the allowable Watt-hour limits. This advice has been informed by international practice where the majority of National Aviation Authorities and airlines treat flex-volt batteries as a single battery.

What are the restrictions?

Spare lithium batteries must be carried in your carry-on bag, they are prohibited from checked luggage.
Each person is allowed a total of 20 spare batteries [or powerbanks] unless an airline has approved the carriage of more batteries. The 20 spare batteries can be all lithium batteries or a combination of dry-cell, nickel-metal hydride, non-spillable and lithium batteries.
Each spare battery must be individually protected by being in retail packaging, individual bag, a protective pouch, or with tape placed over exposed terminals.
Spare batteries cannot travel in battery chargers. Battery chargers do not protect the batteries and batteries in chargers are prone to overheating and catching fire.

Burnt device and battery

There are different types of lithium batteries, the two most common are:

Lithium-Ion batteries. The energy for lithium-ion is measured in watt-hours(Wh); and
Lithium metal batteries. The amount of lithium contained in the battery is represented in grams(g).

Restrictions

If a lithium battery exceeds 160Wh (or 8g) it is prohibited from travelling on an aircraft
If a lithium battery exceeds 100Wh (or 2g) your airline must approve carriage
Each person is limited to taking two batteries (or power banks) that exceed 100wh (or 2g).

Not sure if you can take it? Contact your airline and check with them.

Why is this item restricted?

Batteries can overheat and catch fire.

To date and globally, there have been hundreds of occurrences in the air involving lithium batteries, including fatal accidents. Consequently, both lithium ion and lithium metal batteries are considered dangerous goods when transported by air.

From cell phones to self-propelling baby strollers, lithium batteries are increasingly powering goods transported by aircraft.

The likelihood of such an occurrence is still rare, but the consequences are, of course, potentially catastrophic.

Further resources

Vector magazine: Lithium battery fires do happen here [PDF 170 KB]

ICAO electronic bulletin: Dangerous goods carried by passenger and crew

News item: TSA surveillance footage of lithium battery exploding in bag (external link)

What happens if I have a restricted item in my carry-on bag?

You will be asked to relinquish all dangerous or prohibited items found in your carry-on luggage. If you refuse:

you will not be permitted to move through the screening point, and
your airline will be advised of your refusal.

How does Aviation Security screen for restricted items?

AvSec X-ray bags going onto aircraft to ensure there is nothing dangerous in them.

Checked luggage - if something comes up on the X-ray that needs investigating, the bag will be opened, searched and any dangerous good or prohibited item will be removed, with a bag search notification form left within the bag.
Carry-on - if something comes up on the X-ray that needs investigating an AvSec Officer will request a bag search, and the bag will be opened and searched in your presence. If any dangerous goods or prohibited items are found, you will be asked to relinquish them. If you refuse:
- you will not be permitted to move through the screening point, and
- your airline will be advised of your refusal

What if my items are removed?

If you want to retrieve an item that has been removed, please contact your airline as soon as possible. The airline will dispose of items within three to seven days, so the sooner you make contact, the better your chance of having the items returned to you. For more information, see:

Retrieving your removed items