Travel Restrictions for Lithium and Lithium Ion Batteries

What is the new government requirement for spare lithium battery and when did it become effective?

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has enforced a new rule for passengers traveling with spare lithium batteries in air travel, which took effect on January 1, 2008.

Passengers traveling with spare lithium batteries are prohibited to carry them in checked baggage, excepts for certain conditions. In carry-on baggage, passengers may still carry any number of some types of lithium batteries.

For complete details, please go to http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html

What is Checked Baggage versus Carry-on Baggage?

Checked baggage - The baggage you give to the airline for handling prior to boarding the plane, such as large suitcases.

Carry-on baggage - The baggage you carry with you on the plane and typically stow in the overhead bin or beneath the seat in front of you.

Which Canon lithium batteries can be carried for air travel?

Canon Lithium-ion batteries:

Equivalent lithium content of each of the following batteries does not exceed 8g:

BP-85, BP-208, BP-208DG, BP-214, BP-218, BP-2L12, BP-2L13, BP-2L24H, BP-2L5, BP-308, BP-310, BP-315, BP-406, BP-407, BP-412, BP-422, BP-508, BP-511, BP-511A, BP-512, BP-514, BP-522, BP-535, BP-608, BP-617, BP-808, BP-809, BP-819, BP-915, BP-930, BP-945, BP-950G, BP-970G, LP-E4, LP-E5, NB-1LH, NB-2L, NB-2L14, NB-2LH, NB-3L, NB-4L, NB-5L, NB-6L, NB-CP1L, NB-CP2, NB-ES1L

Lithium-metal batteries bundled with Canon products:

Lithium content of each of the following batteries does not exceed 2g:

LITHIUM 3V CR123A, LITHIUM 6V 2CR5, CR-2025, CR123A, CR1616 PIRO, CR1616, CR2, CR1220, CR1220-PM, CR2016, CR2032

For replacement lithium-metal batteries purchased at retail stores, please contact the manufacturer.

What is the procedure for lithium batteries with Carry-On Baggage?

A battery's electrical connections (also called contacts or terminals,) must be protected from contact with metal or other batteries that may cause the battery to short-circuit. You can do this in several ways.

- Install the battery in the electronic device

- Cover the battery with its battery case

- Keep the battery in its original packaging

- Place the battery in a plastic bag (only one battery per bag)

- Place non-metallic adhesive tape over the battery terminals

For more information about battery tips, please go to http://safetravel.dot.gov/tips.html

What is the procedure for lithium batteries with Checked-in Baggage?

A passenger is prohibited to carry lithium batteries in his or her own checked baggage unless they are installed in the electronic device.

However, in case the electronic device is put in the checked baggage, the passenger must ensure that the electronic device remains switched off. If it is difficult to secure the switch to the off position, the passenger must carry the product in his or her own carry-on baggage.

For details, please go to http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html

What other types of batteries are allowed in carry-on baggage or checked baggage?

For an illustrated table of batteries allowed in airline baggage, please go to http://safetravel.dot.gov/documents/airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

For further information, please go to http://SafeTravel.DOT.Gov or call the DOT Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922.

For TSA security restrictions, please go to http://www.tsa.gov

Is there a limit to the number of batteries I can carry?

In carry-on baggage, there is no limit to the number of consumer-size batteries or battery-powered devices that a passenger can carry for "personal use". Only larger lithium ion batteries are limited to two (2) batteries per passenger.

For an illustrated table of batteries allowed in airline baggage, please go to http://safetravel.dot.gov/documents/airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

For further information, please go to http://SafeTravel.DOT.Gov or call the DOT Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922.

For TSA security restrictions, please go to http://www.tsa.gov

How can I tell if a battery I am using has been placed on an industry recall list for safety concerns?

Information on recalled batteries can be found at the manufacturer's web site or from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov). http://safetravel.dot.gov/qa.html

What happens if my battery smokes or causes a fire during my flight?

Immediately alert the flight crew. Let the flight crew handled the incident. Members of the crew have access to fire extinguishers and are trained to handle such incidents.

For details, please go to http://safetravel.dot.gov/qa.html