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Controlled and banned items
Travelling with spare batteries
Spare batteries can cause fires if not carried properly.
All types of spare batteries (such as lithium batteries, Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad) and Alkaline) can be carried safely in your cabin baggage provided that they are adequately protected against short circuit. You can prepare them for travel by:
- Enclosing them in their original retail packaging OR
- Taping over the terminals OR
- Placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch
- Turning off batteries in all electronic equipment i.e. cameras, mobile phones and computers so they cannot be accidentally re-activated when in checked baggage
Whether a lithium battery can be carried by air or not depends on its configuration and its Watt-hour (Wh) rating (for rechargeable lithium-ion/polymer batteries) or Lithium Content (LC) (for non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries). Because we only fly to airports with thorough security checks, your items will be confiscated if they do not meet the requirements.
For the safety of yourself and fellow passengers, please take note of our regulations, and read our further guidelines for travel with lithium batteries.
Refer to Medical Devices for more information on Portable Medical Electronic Devices.
Smart bags with integrated lithium batteries for the purpose of charging an external device or to provide power to the wheels of the bag with non-removable lithium batteries will not be accepted as cabin baggage or Check in baggage, unless the device contains only lithium batteries not exceeding 0.3g of lithium metal batteries or 2.7Wh of lithium ion batteries.
These type of smart bags will not be considered as a portable electronic device (PED); their batteries will be handled as a power bank or spare lithium battery.
Checked baggage
- If you travel with a smart bag, you must be able to remove the battery in case the bag has to be checked-in at any point during the journey.
- You must carry the removed lithium battery in your cabin baggage and it will be treated in accordance with existing spare lithium battery requirements.
Cabin baggage
- If you would like to take the smart bag as cabin baggage, the battery must be removable and should remain installed inside the bag.
- If the battery cannot be removed, the bag will not be permitted for carriage as checked or cabin baggage.
We recommend passengers check with operating carriers on connecting flights, for their policy regarding batteries and smart bags.
Any type of spare batteries (including lithium batteries, power banks, alkaline dry cells)
Spare lithium batteries must under 100 Watt-hour (Wh) / 2g Lithium content (LC)
Examples:
- Cells for mobile phones
- Cameras
- Watches
- Portable music players
- Laptop computers.
In cabin baggage
- 20 spare pieces allocated per passenger
- Must be presented correctly (either enclosed in original retail packaging, with the terminals taped over or each one placed in a separate plastic bag)
In check in baggage
- Any type of spare batteries is strictly prohibited in checked baggage. This includes, but is not limited to, lithium, alkaline and dry cell batteries.
Banned in baggage
- Non-rechargeable batteries with more than 2g of lithium (e.g. a ‘C’ size battery and above) are forbidden in any baggage and must be presented and carried as cargo following IATA Dangerous Goods regulations.
Medium lithium batteries
100 - 160 Watt-hour (Wh)
Examples:
- Extended life batteries for laptops
- Batteries used by audio-visual professionals
- portable medical devices such as Portable Oxygen Concentrators
In cabin baggage
- 2 spare pieces allocated per passenger
- Must be presented correctly (either enclosed in original retail packaging, with the terminals taped over or each one placed in a separate plastic bag)
In check in baggage
- Allowed inside equipment
Large lithium batteries
160+ Watt-hour
Examples:
- Industry equipment, found in some electric and hybrid vehicles
- Mobility devices and scooters
Banned from baggage
- Must be presented and carried as cargo in accordance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
Exceptions
- Lithium-ion battery powered wheelchairs or similar mobility aids used by passengers with restricted mobility due to health, age or temporary issues (for example, a broken leg).
Please contact Customer Care for assistance.
Please note that spare lithium batteries, also called “loose” batteries, are carried separately and used as backup to recharge lithium-ion batteries installed in mobile phones, laptop computers and other equipment. While spare lithium batteries, including portable battery chargers and power banks are permitted for use inside the cabin, it is strictly prohibited to recharge them using the in-seat power outlet or USB port at any time due to potential safety hazards.
Please pack spare lithium batteries in your carry on luggage, following the guidelines above.
Watch this safety video from CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) to learn more about travelling with lithium batteries.
Please ensure that you have the information available for our staff when requested:
1. The Watt-hour (Wh) or Lithium content (g) for all the installed and spare batteries that you are planning to bring either as carry-on or check-in baggage.
(You can work this out by using the following calculation:
Amp-hours (Ah) to Watt-hours (Wh) Conversion: Multiply Ah by Voltage (V), (1Ah = 1,000 mAh), both of these data are displayed on the information plate of the battery.
Example: 2.38Ah x 14.4V = 34 Wh for a laptop computer lithium-ion battery)
Lithium batteries with no or unclear marking of Watt-hour (Wh) rating or Lithium Content (LC) will be refused carriage.
2. Must meet the United Nations (UN) test requirements specified in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III Section 38.3.
3. Equipment and devices with built-in or plug-in lithium batteries – such as laptop computers, cameras, and mobile phones – must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode), and with measures taken to ensure that they cannot be accidentally activated and are protected from damage when placed in check-in baggage.
4. The maximum number of equipment and electronic devices containing lithium batteries (each piece within 100Wh or 2g) for carriage in check-in baggage is 15 pieces per passenger, and up to 15 pieces in each bag. For example:
- 15 pieces per passenger in total (e.g. one passenger checks in two bags)
- 15 pieces maximum in one bag (e.g. two passengers check in one bag only)
5. For US DOT regulations, passengers travelling to and from the US with lithium batteries should visit www.phmsa.dot.gov/safetravel for details.
6. Non-rechargeable batteries with more than 2 grams of lithium (like a ‘C’ size battery and above) are forbidden in any baggage and must be presented and carried as cargo in accordance with the IATA dangerous goods regulations.
7. Electronic cigarettes cannot be carried in checked baggage, and must not be used on board the aircraft.
Please note: Small vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries are forbidden in passenger checked and cabin baggage.
In view of the fire risk associated with small vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries – including the AirWheel, Solowheel, Hoverboards and mini Segways, and other self-balancing scooters – Cathay Pacific has announced a ban on the carriage of such vehicles and related accessories in both checked and cabin baggage on all Cathay Pacific flights with effect from 9 December 2015.
Cathay Pacific passengers are not allowed to bring small vehicles running on lithium ion batteries onto the aircraft, per our guidelines. If these items are brought to the airport they will be refused at check-in, and it will be the passenger’s responsibility to arrange the disposal of such banned items prior to boarding. Cathay Pacific will not store these items due to the associated fire risk.
Example:
- AirWheel
- Solowheel
- Hoverboards and mini Segways
- Other self-balancing scooters
We ask that all our passengers adhere to the above acceptance criteria when travelling with lithium batteries. And whilst we don't like to say no to our passengers, we will be forced to refuse carriage of any excessive and unacceptable batteries upon discovery.
On check in, our staff will ask you if you have read the lithium batteries regulations. It is a criminal offence to make a false statement in response to this question, punishable on conviction to a fine of HKD 10,000 and / or imprisonment for up to six months. We will also be forced to inform the police and airport security services. To avoid this, please take note of our guildlines.
Please note that your bags may be searched before and / or after check in, should this be necessary.
