OK, this has been discussed before here and on other forums, but it’s a recurring problem for us pro camera people. You are not allowed to transport spare Lithium Ion batteries in the holds of airliners (you can have a battery “installed” in a piece of equipment). This is for safety reasons, if a Li-Ion battery gets damaged or punctured it can spontaneously burst into flames. A fire in the hold of an airliner could have devastating results. So basically you have to hand carry your camera batteries. You can’t take a battery with a capacity of more than 160W/h on an aircraft period.
So there I was on route from Chennai in India to Singapore where I’m helping to run a 3D workshop. In my carry-on bag I had two Sony BP-L60 batteries that I use to power my 3D rig and Transvideo monitor, nice and secure in their original boxes. All is fine until I get to the security check point, where as usual my bag gets opened up for a hand search. The batteries are pulled out and I’m told they will be confiscated. I asked why and was told that under Indian regulations any kind of loose batteries are not permitted in carry-on baggage. This regulation also includes regular AA type batteries etc.
So what can you do? They are not supposed to go in the hold, you can’t have them in your carry-on, your a bit stuck. Anyway, I stood my ground, explaining the prohibition from the hold and that these were professional camera batteries essential for my work. After showing the security officer an online copy of the IATA regulations (thank goodness I had my i-phone) and after discussions with more and more senior security officers I was eventually allowed to take them on the plane. It was touch and go, I thought I was going to loose them. From now on I’m going to copy a laminated card explaining that I am a professional cameraman and that I need these batteries to do my job, along with the relevant IATA regulations.
Extract from the IATA regulations which can be found by clicking here.
“Because of the risks associated with the carriage of spare batteries these may not be transported within passenger checked baggage. Spare batteries must be in carry-on baggage.
These requirements are stipulated by subparagraph 2.3.5.9 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations:
2.3.5.9 Consumer electronic devices (watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top computers, camcorders, etc.) containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries when carried by passengers or crew for personal use, which should be carried in carry-on baggage. Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch, and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each installed or spare battery must not exceed the following quantities:
(a) for lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries, a lithium content of not more than 2 g; or
(b) for lithium ion batteries, a watt-hour rating of not more than 100 Wh.
There is also provision, with the approval of the airline, for larger lithium ion batteries with a watt-hour rating in excess of 100 Wh, but not more than 160 Wh in equipment and no more than two spare lithium ion batteries as set out in subparagraph 2.3.3.2 as follows:
2.3.3.2 Lithium ion batteries exceeding a watt-hour rating of 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh may be carried as spare batteries in carry on baggage, or in equipment in either checked or carry on baggage. No more than two individually protected spare batteries per person may be carried.”
that’s where you’ll find me.