Do phone chargers go in hand luggage or suitcase?

You should pack phone chargers and power banks in your carry-on luggage, not checked bags, due to strict safety regulations (FAA/TSA) because lithium batteries can pose a fire risk in the cargo hold. While standard wall adapters and cables can go in either, portable chargers (power banks) must be in hand luggage for quick access by crew in emergencies, and they are often limited by wattage (Wh).

Can I put a phone charger in my luggage?

Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags. Spare lithium batteries, which include both power banks and phone chargers, are prohibited in checked luggage.

Do you have to take phone chargers out at airport security?

Can I Pack Chargers in My Carry On? (Adapters & Cables) The short answer is yes. You can bring chargers, including USB cables, power adapters, and charging bricks, in your carry-on luggage. Airport authorities like CATSA, IATA, and EASA allow these items since they don't contain batteries or hazardous materials.

What kind of chargers are not allowed on planes?

Chargers themselves (wall adapters, cables) are generally allowed in both carry-on and checked bags, but power banks (portable chargers) and spare lithium batteries are strictly limited to carry-on bags only, not checked luggage, due to fire risks, with restrictions on battery capacity (under 100Wh usually okay, 101-160Wh needs airline approval, over 160Wh forbidden). Recalled, damaged, or unlabeled batteries are also banned. 

Where to keep a mobile charger in flight?

Carry-on baggage only – not permitted in checked luggage​.

You must pack power banks and any loose/spare lithium batteries in your cabin bag. If your carry-on is gate-checked (e.g. on a small plane), remove any power banks to keep them with you in the cabin​.

Can You Bring a Phone Charger On a Plane?

Does TSA check for chargers?

The TSA and FAA limit portable charger battery capacity to 100Wh; anything higher may require airline approval and could be rejected at security. You can use portable chargers during flights but must turn them off during takeoff, landing, or turbulence, and only use wall chargers if your seat has a power outlet.

Can I put my phone charger in my hand luggage?

Yes, you can take phone chargers (cables, wall adapters, power banks) in your hand luggage, but portable chargers (power banks) with lithium-ion batteries must stay in carry-on bags only and are banned from checked luggage due to fire safety risks, requiring them to be removed if your carry-on is gate-checked. Standard wall chargers and cables can go in either bag but are best in carry-on for easy access, while power banks should be protected from short circuits and kept easily accessible in your carry-on for security checks. 

What do I need to take out of my bag at airport security?

At airport security, you must take out your 3-1-1 liquids bag, electronics larger than a cell phone (like laptops, tablets, e-readers), and potentially other items like jackets, belts, and large amounts of food, placing them in bins for X-ray screening; empty your pockets of keys, phones, and wallets; and always be prepared to remove shoes unless you have PreCheck.
 

Where to put a charger during a flight?

Auxiliary batteries, spare lithium-ion batteries (not installed in a device), and power banks must NOT be placed in overhead bins or checked-in baggage. These are only allowed as carry-on items. Store them in a bag that stays with you, in the seat pocket or under the seat in front of you.

Why is a charger not allowed in luggage?

Chargers with lithium-ion batteries are not allowed in checked luggage due to safety regulations. Make sure to store it securely and follow any crew instructions for using electronic devices during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.

What cannot go in hand luggage?

You can't bring firearms, explosives, sharp objects (like knives, large scissors, box cutters), flammable liquids, or most large tools in carry-on bags, as these pose safety risks. Liquids must follow the TSA's 3-1-1 rule (3.4oz/100ml containers in a clear quart-sized bag). Some sports equipment, large batteries (like power banks), and certain foods (especially for international travel) are also restricted or prohibited, so always check with the TSA or your airline.
 

What is no longer allowed by TSA?

By now, most travelers are aware of the longstanding TSA rules prohibiting liquids over 3.4-ounces and any weapon-like items into their carry-on baggage. (The agency banned three items, including cordless hair tools, in checked luggage, in Aug. 2025 but also recently scrapped the shoes-off policy.)

Can I carry my phone charger in my purse on a plane?

Can you bring a portable charger on a plane? You can bring a portable charger on a plane if it is packed securely in your carry-on luggage. You cannot pack chargers in check-in luggage.

Which airline does not allow power banks?

Many major international airlines have banned or restricted the in-flight use and charging of power banks due to fire risks, including Lufthansa Group, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Korean Air, and several Asian carriers like EVA Air and Thai Airways, with rules focusing on keeping them in carry-ons and not charging them in overhead bins or checked bags.
 

Does a power bank go in suitcase or hand luggage?

Powerbanks may only be carried in your hand luggage when traveling by air, as they pose a security risk in checked luggage. Make sure that your powerbank does not exceed the capacity limit of 100 watt hours to avoid complications at the security checkpoint.

Do pills have to be in original bottles when flying?

For domestic U.S. flights, the TSA doesn't strictly require pills in original bottles; pill organizers are fine, but it's best to keep prescription labels handy or in a photo, though some states may have stricter rules for controlled substances. For international travel, the CDC recommends keeping medications in their original, labeled containers with a doctor's note to avoid issues at customs, as rules vary widely by country. 

What are the most common items confiscated by TSA?

The most common items confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) over the 3.4-ounce limit, knives and sharp objects, firearms (often loaded), and flammable materials, with powders, wipes, and certain electronics also frequently flagged for extra screening due to X-ray similarities to prohibited items, causing significant delays. Travelers often forget these rules or misjudge container sizes, leading to items like water bottles, scissors, and even household cleaners being surrendered at checkpoints.
 

Do you have to take out phone chargers for TSA?

For TSA screening, you generally don't need to remove standard phone/device chargers, but you must take out portable power banks (lithium-ion batteries) and laptops, placing them in separate bins, as wires can clutter X-rays and batteries pose fire risks, requiring them in carry-ons, not checked bags. It's best to pack chargers in an easily accessible spot in your carry-on, ready to be pulled if an agent asks, which they might do if they obscure other items. 

What electronics need to be taken out at airport security?

Here's what to expect when taking your carry-on bag through security screening next time you fly. You will be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening.

Do toiletries have to be in a clear bag?

Yes, for carry-on bags in the U.S., all liquids, gels, creams, aerosols, and pastes must be in containers 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller, fitting into one single, clear, quart-sized, zip-top bag, per the TSA 3-1-1 rule; this bag must be removed for screening, but the bag itself doesn't have to be clear (though it's easiest if it is, and you'll need to pull it out of your opaque toiletry bag). For checked luggage, no clear bag is needed, but you still pack liquids in carry-on size containers if you want them easily accessible.
 

Can I take deodorant on a plane?

Yes, you can bring deodorant on a plane, but rules depend on the type: solid sticks are fine in any size for carry-on or checked bags, while aerosol, gel, or liquid deodorants must follow the TSA's 3-1-1 rule (3.4 oz/100ml container, in one quart-sized bag) for carry-ons, or be placed in checked luggage.
 

Where do I pack my phone charger when flying?

Charging cables and plug-in adapters don't contain lithium batteries, so they're permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. Most travelers prefer hand luggage for easy access during layovers or flights. Just pack them neatly to avoid delays during security screening.

Can you take phone chargers on carry-on?

Yes, you can take phone chargers (cables, wall adapters, power banks) in your hand luggage, but portable chargers (power banks) with lithium-ion batteries must stay in carry-on bags only and are banned from checked luggage due to fire safety risks, requiring them to be removed if your carry-on is gate-checked. Standard wall chargers and cables can go in either bag but are best in carry-on for easy access, while power banks should be protected from short circuits and kept easily accessible in your carry-on for security checks. 

Is it safe to plug your phone in at the airport?

"Hackers can install malware at USB ports (we've been told that's called 'juice/port jacking')," the TSA advised travelers on Facebook in March 2025. "So, when you're at an airport, do not plug your phone directly into a USB port. Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there."