Lithium batteries in checked luggage

[serfty]

Qantas have gone to town with Lithium - it;s now mentioned many times here: Dangerous Goods | Qantas

 

[The Rok]

If I wanted to carry three of the following batteries in hand luggage then my understanding is that is ok because they are less than 100Wh, is that correct?

Makita 18V Lithium-Ion 3Ah Batteries 54Wh

 

[markis10]

If I wanted to carry three of the following batteries in hand luggage then my understanding is that is ok because they are less than 100Wh, is that correct?

Makita 18V Lithium-Ion 3Ah Batteries 54Wh

Who are you flying with, QF allow two.

 

[jb747]

If I wanted to carry three of the following batteries in hand luggage then my understanding is that is ok because they are less than 100Wh, is that correct?

Makita 18V Lithium-Ion 3Ah Batteries 54Wh

No. You can't have them in the hold at all.

My reading of the rules....

Spare batteries

with a Watt-hour rating exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh for portable electronic devices. No more than two spare batteries may be carried in carry-on baggage only. These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits. Equipment containing such batteries may be in checked or carry-on baggage.​

All spare batteries, including lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries,

for such consumer electronic devices may be carried in carry-on baggage only. These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.​

So, if you have three batteries rated as per the Makita, you can carry them with appropriate protection, but they must be in the cabin. If they exceed 100 wh, then the limit will be two such batteries.

I had a Makita battery short out in my tool box once. I'm very glad it wasn't on an aircraft......

 

[The Rok]

Excellent JB, thank you. I was planning on having them in my hand luggage, as the tools will be in checked luggage and I have minimal checked luggage allowance, 10kg.

I have had these Makita batteries fail in the past and get very hot but they are the best tool on the market so I wanted to be sure I could bring the batteries to work with me.

 

[psi999]

Ive flown all around the world with a small digital camera packed into my luggage - never really gave it a second thought (oops).

Until last time i was in China my checked luggage was waiting for me in the secure customs area waiting for me pass through - never been picked up anywhere else in the world.

Interestingly batteries were also removed from carry on laptops / cameras and wrapped in gladwrap.... China obviously take L-ion batteries very seriously.

 

[jb747]

Interestingly batteries were also removed from carry on laptops / cameras and wrapped in gladwrap.... China obviously take L-ion batteries very seriously.

Gladwrap isn't what I would call appropriate protection.

Lithium batteries are safest when installed in the device that will be using them...unless that happens to be a 787.

 

[The Rok]

Gladwrap isn't what I would call appropriate protection.

Lithium batteries are safest when installed in the device that will be using them...unless that happens to be a 787.

I will be carrying mine in individual cardboard boxes in my hand luggage as I suspect I will not be allowed to carry on board an angle grinder & 2 impact guns.

 

[coles525]

I opened another topic only last week or so, in it ice put a link to the Qantas dangerous goods rules/list which includes batteries.

also shows if permission is needed.

On my phone now, but will try to bump it so you all can read the rules and a few other links.

 

[coles525]

I opened another topic only last week or so, in it ice put a link to the Qantas dangerous goods rules/list which includes batteries.

also shows if permission is needed.

On my phone now, but will try to bump it so you all can read the rules and a few other links.

Goto Qantas website :

Home / Fly / Baggage / Dangerous Goods.

I've printed it out if wondering.

A guide to dangerous goods:

All spare batteries, including lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries, for such consumer electronic devices may be carried in carry-on baggage only.
These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuit.

- In original packaging
- Taping over exposed terminals
- Placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.

 

[ozmille]

I will be carrying mine in individual cardboard boxes in my hand luggage as I suspect I will not be allowed to carry on board an angle grinder & 2 impact guns.

Please try that and then post a pic of the security guys when your carry one goes through the x-ray machine (just kidding)

Friend got in a bit of trouble when he had a china vase in the form of a pistol in his carry on :shock: was made to check it in in the end

 

[trentusjuventus]

FWIW I have also experienced problems with Li-ion batteries recently, namely those little battery packs that you can use to top up your cellphone or ipad; a mobile charger type thing with built in batteries. I was unable to send them via any form of airmail between Taiwan and Australia due to the postal service's regulations (which aligns with the batteries in carry-on only rule), and when a friend offered to take them to Australia for me, I had to check with the airline (MH) and was in no uncertain terms told carry-on only, however such small batteries (6500 mAh) did not have a restriction on quantity other than 'reasonable personal use', so the four that I sent back were no problem. Of course things might get difficult when it comes to the larger batteries which others have discussed above.

 

[coles525]

Dangerous Goods | Qantas

 

[stewiejp]

I will be carrying mine in individual cardboard boxes in my hand luggage as I suspect I will not be allowed to carry on board an angle grinder & 2 impact guns.

Since you are checking in the actual tools anyway, whack a battery or two on the tools which are checked in, as per the rules -

"Equipment containing such batteries may be in checked or carry-on baggage."

Carrying the batteries installed, it has been mentioned, is the safest way to transport them.

Makita the best on the market? Surely you jest? #milwaukee

 

[The Rok]

Since you are checking in the actual tools anyway, whack a battery or two on the tools which are checked in, as per the rules -

"Equipment containing such batteries may be in checked or carry-on baggage."

Carrying the batteries installed, it has been mentioned, is the safest way to transport them.

Makita the best on the market? Surely you jest? #milwaukee

I might have to go back and re read the rules. I'll have probably 5 batteries in total, so leaving 3 on the tools in checked luggage would be good.

(I prefer Makita's range and flexibility)