US DOT Restrictions on Passenger Air travel with Lithium Batteries
As of January 1, 2008, new US DOT rules designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires are in force for air travel with lithium batteries. The rules apply to both lithium ion rechargeable batteries and lithium metalnonrechargeablebatteries, and depend on battery size. The rules are differentfor checked and carry-on baggage. The major points of the new regulations are:
•Spare lithium batteries, both lithium metal and lithium ion of any size, are not allowed in checked luggage.
•Small spare lithium batteries, both lithium metal and lithium ion, typically used in digital cameras, cell phones, and most notebook computers, are allowed in carry-on baggage if properly protected from short circuiting in their original packaging or by placing them in individual plastic bags or a protective travel case.
•Small lithium batteries, both lithium metal and lithium ion, areallowed in checked and carry-on baggage if they are installed in electronic devices.
•Larger rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (100 to 300 watt hours, e.g., extended life notebook computer or professional audio/visual equipment batteries) are limited to a maximum of two spare or installed ina device in carry-on baggage, or two installed in a device in checked baggage.
•Lithium-ion batteries of greater than 300-watt hours are banned aboard passenger aircraft.
•Lithium metal batteries containing more than 2 grams lithium arebanned aboard passenger aircraft. However, almost all consumer-type lithium
