Electronic devices and batteries

Personal electronic devices and batteries are classed as dangerous goods. This is because, if damaged, they can generate heat, short-circuit and start a fire.

You can find detailed information for your personal electronic devices and batteries here. The symbols show you whether and under what conditions you are permitted to take them with you:

It is not permitted to carry with you defective or damaged personal electronic devices or batteries, or any such items recalled by the manufacturer for safety reasons.

The list of electronic devices and batteries is not exhaustive and can be expanded at any time.

The power of lithium-ion batteries is specified in watt hours (Wh). The lithium content (LC) is stated for lithium metal batteries.

Conversion aid for battery power:

  • watt hours (Wh) = ampere hours (Ah) x voltage (V); or
  • watt hours (Wh) = milliampere hours (mAh) x voltage (V) / 1,000.

Power restriction: max. 100 Wh or 2 g LC per device

Item restriction: max. 15 devices with batteries per passenger

Portable electronic devices for personal use are:

  • laptops, mobile phones, tablets,
  • electric toiletry items (toothbrushes, razors, etc.), 
  • electric toys, 
  • drones, watches, calculators; or 
  • other entertainment or communication electronics.

Such items should be carried in your carry-on baggage whenever possible.

Transport requirements in checked baggage: 

  • You may carry a maximum of 3 devices larger than a smartphone.
  • Do not pack your device together with easily combustible materials (e.g. perfumes, aerosols, etc.).
  • Switch off the devices completely and protect them from unintentional activation. 
  • Ensure that apps, alarms or preset configurations are deactivated.
  • Protect your device using suitable packaging or a sturdy bag with sufficient padding.
  • If you are transporting several devices, stow your devices separately from each other (e.g. separated by clothing or the original packaging).

Power banks are classed as replacement batteries, not as electronic devices. You will find information about taking power banks with you in the section: "Power banks, replacement batteries and loose batteries".

Note:

  • For devices with a battery power greater than 100 Wh up to max. 160 Wh, transport approval from the airline is required.
  • Please register devices and batteries requiring approval when booking flights via the Lufthansa Service Center.

Portable electronic devices with batteries that DO NOT CONTAIN LITHIUM (e.g. alkaline manganese, zinc carbon, nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride) for your personal use are:

  • electric toiletry items (toothbrushes, razors, etc.), 
  • electric toys, 
  • drones, watches, calculators; or 
  • other entertainment or communication electronics.

Such items should be carried in your carry-on baggage whenever possible.

Transport requirements in checked baggage: 

  • Switch off the devices completely and protect them from unintentional activation. 
  • Ensure that apps, alarms or preset configurations are deactivated.
  • Protect your device using suitable packaging or a sturdy bag with sufficient padding.
  • If you are transporting several devices, stow your devices separately from each other (e.g. separated by clothing or the original packaging).

Additional transport requirements for non-spillable wet batteries: 

  • Power restriction: max. 12 V / 100 Wh per battery
  • Non-spillable wet batteries (e.g. gel batteries) must not contain free or unabsorbed liquid.

Power banks are classed as replacement batteries, not as electronic devices. You will find information about taking power banks with you in the section: "Power banks, replacement batteries and loose batteries".

Power and item restriction for lithium batteries:

Power restriction           Item restrictionPermitted in carry-on baggagePermitted in checked baggageTransport approval required Max. 100 Wh
Max. 2 g LC      
20*YesNoNo
> 100 Wh up to max. 160 Wh2YesNoYes > 2 g LC up to max. 8 g LC2**YesNoYes

* The item restriction includes all types of battery, i.e. non-spillable wet batteries, dry batteries, gel batteries and lithium batteries.

** Only for medical devices

Transport requirements:

With all batteries the connections must be isolated individually to prevent short-circuits. This is possible if the item is carried in its original packaging, any exposed terminals are covered with adhesive tape or each battery is packed in a separate plastic carrier or protective bag.

Power and item restrictions for non-spillable wet batteries: 

  • max. 12 V / 100 Wh per battery
  • max. 2 replacement batteries

Note:

  • The recharging of power banks is not permitted on board.
  • For lithium batteries greater than 100 Wh up to max. 160 Wh and greater than 2 g up to max. 8 g LC, transport approval from the airline is required.
  • Please register power banks and batteries requiring approval when booking flights via the Lufthansa Service Center.

These include the following devices:

  • hoverboards
  • e-bikes
  • pedelecs/s-pedelecs
  • e-scooters
  • electric monowheels
  • electric baggage scooters (e.g. Modobags or Airwheel)
  • underwater scooters
  • Segways; and
  • electric prams or electric golf caddies.

This ban applies irrespective of the power capacity and whether the batteries are permanently attached or are removable, and also applies to battery-powered personal and sports transport devices with no integrated battery. 

The above examples only reflect a range of possible devices.

These goods may only be carried as freight in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

For reasons of safety and loadability in the aircraft there are restrictions regarding:

  • the battery power, 
  • the total weight; and
  • the size of the wheelchair or mobility aid.

Note:

  • Transport approval from the airline is required for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
  • Please send us in good time, but 48 hours before departure at the latest, the necessary details (manufacturer’s technical datasheet or manual) about your wheelchair or mobility aid for checking and approval as well as the completed form that is downloadable below to specialcases@dlh.de.

Note: Please use Adobe Acrobat Reader to display the document correctly.

Power restriction for lithium batteries: max. 160 Wh or 8 g LC per device

Power restriction for non-spillable wet batteries: max. 100 Wh and 12 V per device

Note:

  • Battery-powered portable medical devices require transport approval and medical clearance from the airline for use on board.
  • Please send us the details about your device (manufacturer’s technical datasheet or manual) for pre-registration and medical review, at the latest up to 48 hours before departure, to the Medical Operation Center at specialservice@dlh.de.

For travel to and from the USA, please contact the Medical Desk USA (Monday to Friday: 09:00–15:00 hours) on: +1-516-296-9580.

Item restriction: only in quantities for personal use*

Power restriction for lithium batteries: max. 100 Wh or 2 g LC per device

Transport restrictions in carry-on baggage:

  • Use or charging is prohibited on board.
  • Devices must remain stowed throughout the entire flight.
  • Accidental activation must not be possible.

Note: in some countries you are prohibited from carrying e-cigarettes or other inhalers with you.

* An item restriction of a maximum total of 15 portable electronic devices per passenger applies.

Item restriction: max. 15 devices (this includes all electronic devices) with lithium batteries per passenger

Power restrictionsPermitted in carry-on baggagePermitted in checked baggageTransport approval required Max. 100 Wh
Max. 2 g LC
YesYes, but recommended in your carry-on baggageNo
> 100 Wh up to max. 160 WhYesNoYes

Such items should be carried in your carry-on baggage whenever possible.

Transport requirements in checked baggage: 

  • max. 3 devices larger than a smartphone.
  • Do not pack your device together with easily combustible materials (e.g. perfumes, aerosols, etc.).
  • Switch off the devices completely and protect them from unintentional activation. 
  • Ensure that apps, alarms or preset configurations are deactivated.
  • Protect your device using suitable packaging or a sturdy bag with sufficient padding.
  • If you are transporting several devices, stow your devices separately from each other (e.g. separated by clothing or the original packaging).

Power banks are classed as replacement batteries, not as electronic devices. You will find information about carrying replacement batteries with you in the section: “Power banks, replacement batteries and loose batteries”.

Note:

  • For photo and video equipment with a battery power greater than 100 Wh up to max. 160 Wh, transport approval from the airline is required.
  • Please register devices or batteries requiring approval when booking flights via the Lufthansa Service Center.

You can find detailed information about the carriage of avalanche rescue backpacks using the following link:

Item restriction: only in quantities for personal use*

* An item restriction of max. 15 portable electronic devices per passenger applies.

Note:

  • Transport approval from the airline is required for diving lamps, soldering irons or other heat-generating items.
  • Please register diving lamps, soldering irons or other heat-generating items when booking flights via the Lufthansa Service Center.

Transport restrictions in carry-on baggage:

  • The device must be switched off.
  • Batteries and heating elements in portable electronic devices that can produce extreme heat must be isolated by removing the heating element, battery or other components.
  • The regulations for the carriage of loose batteries or portable electronic devices with installed batteries apply. You will find information about this in the sections "Power banks, replacement batteries and loose batteries" and "Portable electronic devices with lithium batteries for personal use".

Item restriction (including lithium batteries*): 20 items per passenger

* The item restriction includes all types of battery, i.e. non-spillable wet batteries, dry batteries, gel batteries and lithium batteries.

Examples of non-spillable wet batteries: gel batteries or AGM batteries

Examples of dry batteries: nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel cadmium, alkaline manganese or zinc carbon batteries

Transport requirements for non-spillable wet and dry batteries: 

  • Non-spillable wet batteries (e.g. gel batteries) must not contain free or unabsorbed liquid.
  • You must ensure that the batteries are protected from heat and cannot generate heat themselves. 
  • With all batteries the connections must be isolated individually to prevent short-circuits. This is possible if the item is carried in its original packaging, any exposed terminals are covered with adhesive tape or each battery is packed in a separate plastic carrier or protective bag.

Power and item restrictions for non-spillable wet batteries: 

  • max. 12 V / 100 Wh per battery
  • max. 2 replacement batteries

Power restriction: max. 100 Wh / 2 g LC

Transport regulations:

  • The battery must be removed from the baggage.
  • The removed battery must be carried in the cabin. You will find further information in the section "Power banks, replacement batteries and loose batteries".
  • The suitcase may be transported as checked baggage without the battery.

Note:

  • You will find the power restrictions for equipment with lithium batteries permanently installed in smart baggage, such as an electronic lock or electronic scale, in the section: "Smart baggage – permanently installed lithium battery".
  • You will find information about baggage trackers or electronic bag tags (EBTs) in the sections: "Baggage trackers" and "Electronic bag tags (EBTs)". 
  • For a battery power greater than 100 Wh up to max. 160 Wh, transport approval from the airline is required.
  • Please register power banks and batteries requiring approval when booking flights via the Lufthansa Service Center.

Power restriction: max. 2.7 Wh / 0.3 g LC

Note: 

  • The transport of smart baggage with permanently installed lithium batteries above 2.7 Wh or 0.3 g LC is prohibited.

Power restriction per device:

Power restriction (per device)

Permitted in carry-on baggage

Permitted in checked baggage or in the pet carrier

max. 2.7 Wh 

max. 0.3 g LC

Yes

Yes 

> 2.7 Wh / 0.3 g LC up to max. 100 Wh / 2 g LC

Yes

No

Transport restriction up to max. 2.7 Wh / 0.3 g LC

  • Approved transmission functions: low-energy transmission functions such as Wi-Fi, UWB, Bluetooth or RFID

  • The tracker may be switched on during transport but must be stowed in an item of baggage to prevent damage.

Transport restriction > 2.7 Wh / 0.3 g LC up to max. 100 Wh / 2 g LC:

  • The GPS tracker must be turned off during transport and packed in such a way as to prevent damage or inadvertent activation.

Note:

  • When using in pet carriers, the tracker must be secured in such a way that it is protected from damage and so that it does not impact the wellbeing of the animal.

Bags with electronic bag tags (EBTs) with routing display (e.g. BAGTAG or RIMOWA Smart Bags, etc.) used instead of printed thermal bag tags are permitted in checked baggage and carry-on baggage.

This video by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the authority responsible for ensuring flight safety in European aviation, will give you more information about the danger and the correct handling of lithium batteries.

If you wish to take an electronic device or a battery with you on your trip that is not mentioned above, please contact our Service Center.

 Other transport information:

  • All lithium batteries must comply with the requirements of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Section 38.3.
  • However, if you do carry with you electronic devices or batteries that are not permitted for transport, you risk the items being confiscated from you at the airport. No liability will be assumed for confiscated items.
  • These transport guidelines meet the national requirements as well as the current IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for safe transport of electronic devices and batteries. Lufthansa Airlines reserves the right to take more restrictive measures for reasons of safety.
  • There may be more restrictive country regulations.

Further information

Dangerous goods

The carriage of certain items in checked baggage or carry-on baggage is prohibited by law.

Illustration zeigt Medizinschrank im Flugzeug // Illustration shows medicine cabinet in airplane

A healthy journey

Lufthansa has compiled some important information for you here about the transport of medicines on board.

Illustration zeigt Situation am Bag Drop Automaten // Illustration shows situation at bag drop terminals

Digital baggage services

With our digital baggage services, you can enjoy the reassurance of knowing exactly where your baggage is located at any time.