When you fly, keep in mind the following tips for travelling with batteries. Though infrequent, batteries can short-circuit and overheat, in some cases causing a sparks or a fire.  

When possible, keep batteries with you

• Keep all batteries and electronic devices containing batteries on you or packed in your carry-on baggage.
• Not all air carriers permit batteries in checked baggage. Specifically, lithium batteries carried in personal devices such as laptops or cell phones may or may not be permitted in checked baggage, depending on the air carrier. Please consult your air carrier for more information.
• Do not carry damaged or recalled batteries on the aircraft.

Lithium batteries for personal electronic devices (i.e. laptops, cell phones)

Examples of lithium batteries:

• Small lithium batteries and cells (<100Wh) -  mobile phones, cameras, watches, portable music players, most original laptop computer batteries
• Medium lithium batteries and cells (100-160Wh)  -  extended life batteries for laptop computers and batteries used by audiovisual professionals
• Large lithium batteries and cells  (>160Wh) - found in some electric and hybrid vehicles, mobility devices or scooters

*No more than two individually protected spare batteries are allowed per person with the approval of the air carrier. 

 Tips for packing spare batteries 

• Don’t let a loose battery come into contact with other metal objects (e.g. coins, keys, or jewelry).  
• Place each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag, or package (original packaging when possible), or place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals (noted by the + and – symbols) to prevent short-circuiting.
• Take steps to prevent crushing, puncturing, or putting a high degree of pressure on the battery, as this can cause an internal short-circuit, resulting in overheating.

 Batteries for wheelchairs, mobility aids and medical devices

• Batteries for wheelchairs and other battery-powered personal mobility aids must meet the air carrier's approval and be shown to the screening officer. Air carriers may permit provided certain conditions are met. Please consult your air carrier for more information.
• Batteries used to power portable medical devices, such as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device may be carried onboard but may require your air carrier’s approval. Please consult your air carrier for more information.  

Battery-powered devices, like power tools, in checked baggage

• If you must carry a battery-powered device in your checked baggage, such as a power tool like a nail gun or saw that isn’t permitted in carry-on, be sure to package it in a protective case to prevent inadvertent activation. If there is an on-off switch or a safety switch, tape it in the "off" position.

Want to know more about what you can and can’t bring on the plane? Use our Permitted and non-permitted items search tool or visit the Travel advice section of our Web site.

When on the go you can access CATSA information on your smartphone by visiting the CATSA mobile site.