// ENGADGET — HARDWARE & GADGET
Traveling with electronics? These 5 items could raise TSA red flags
Know before you travel to avoid a hold-up at baggage check.
While I was traveling a few months ago, TSA pulled my backpack aside at security after it went through the scanner. I was baffled. As it turned out, I was carrying five power banks I was testing and had forgotten to remove them. All was fine once they inspected and saw what they were, but it was a reminder that some electronics can raise red flags.
To begin with, portable power banks have to be brought on the plane with you in your carry-on luggage and can't be stored in your checked luggage. Electronics like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and handheld gaming systems must travel with you. At a minimum, take laptops out of your bag for the security scan, and consider removing other electronics as well to avoid red flags. Specific rules apply to items with lithium batteries, both installed and uninstalled, along with other tech items you might want to travel with. Being informed ahead of time can help you avoid a hold-up when you're rushing to make your next flight.
Most portable power banks do not exceed the 100 watt-hour limit, and you must bring it in your carry-on bag along with devices with built-in batteries like cameras, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches. The only exception might be super-high-powered power banks for laptops, but even many of those nowadays, like the 25K Anker Power Bank, meet the limit, so you can travel with them. That one taps out at 90Wh and is advertised as being "flight approved."
You should check the power bank's specifications for watt-hours (Wh) or use the formula mAh x voltage divided by 1,000. For example, a 20,000mAh power bank at 3.7 volts is 74Wh, well within the limit. Most consumer power banks do not exceed this number, and you can always look for the "flight approved" label on packaging to ease your mind.
The reason to keep them with you is that lithium batteries can overheat and potentially cause a fire. What if you have lithium-ion batteries with more than 100 watt-hours, like a spare battery or items for professional AV equipment? These are still not permitted in checked luggage and are only permitted in carry-on luggage under special circumstances and with airline approval. Even then, the limit is two per person.
Non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries, like a package of AA batteries for a toy, are accepted, up to 2 grams of lithium content per battery. Keep them in their packaging for the least hassle, or better yet, avoid bringing them altogether if you can and buy them when you arrive at your destination.
Electronic cigarettes, as well as vapes, must be packed in your carry-on. They are not permitted in checked luggage. You don't need to remove them from your bag and place them in the bin during the TSA security check, but you might prefer to, since they could otherwise trigger a red flag. Southwest Airlines specifically notes that you can only bring two per person and you cannot charge nor use them on the plane.
The same goes for some other similarly sized gadgets, like laser pointers. Though they are generally approved for flights, some airlines have stricter rules. For example, Air Canada does not permit laser pointers on board at all and requires them to be packed in checked luggage. I once went through security when a man's bag was taken to the side and an officer was called in to check a penlight. The officer confirmed it was a functioning device, then let him through.
Smart luggage with integrated chargers and charging ports, GPS finding trackers, and/or remote Bluetooth locks fall under the same rules as those for lithium batteries. If you check the suitcase, remove any batteries first to avoid the same fire-hazard concerns. Integrated power banks are usually removable for recharging, so this should be easy. If it's your carry-on, it should be fine as long as the charger meets the aforementioned lithium-battery threshold.