Dangerous goods
Pack correctly for safety
In order to guarantee your safety on board, the transport of certain items either in checked baggage or in your carry-on baggage is not permitted. That’s why it is important that before your departure you inform yourself thoroughly and pack correctly. Here you’ll find an overview of which dangerous goods may be transported in which item of baggage. You can also find out here which conditions the items have to meet.
Information about the carriage of Apple MacBooks
Apple has recalled certain older MacBook Pros due to a battery defect. This applies to 15-inch devices sold between 2015 and 2017. These may not be taken on board an aircraft without first having a new battery installed, which is a service offered free by the manufacturer. In this context, Lufthansa refers to the safety directive of the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA), which came into effect in February 2017. This prohibits the transport of defective or recalled lithium batteries. Our flight attendants receive appropriate training in how to deal with lithium batteries.
(either in carry-on baggage or in checked baggage).
For reasons of safety, the following items are prohibited:
- Caustic materials, such as acids, alkalis, wet cell batteries
- Containers with gas, for example irritant gases, self-defence sprays
- Containers with flammable liquids, such as lighter fuel, paint, varnish, cleaning agents
- Petrol-operated equipment and tools that already contain minimal amounts of petrol (e.g. for test purposes)
- Camping stoves, gas cylinders, filled scuba tanks
- Explosives, fireworks, flares
- Electroshock weapons, e.g. stun guns (tasers)
- Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances, such as mercury, bacteria and virus cultures
- Heat-generating objects
- Oxygen generators, liquid oxygen
- Materials that are easily ignited, such as strike anywhere matches
- Battery-powered means of transportation (e.g. e-scooters, hoverboards, mini-Segways, Solowheels, electric bicycles). This regulation applies regardless of the power capacity of the battery.
- Oxidising substances, such as bleaching powder and peroxides
- Substances that emit flammable gases upon contact with water
- Security bags or briefcases with lithium batteries or pyrotechnic devices
- Radioactive materials and items
- Strongly magnetic materials
- Dry ice in excess of 2.5 kg
Important: wheelchairs and other mobility aids powered by lithium batteries are not affected by this prohibition.
The list of forbidden items in accordance with EU Directive 2015/1998 can be found here.
List and conditions for the carriage of dangerous goods
Only allowed in carry-on baggage:
Please note: in some countries, e.g. India, transportation of e-cigarettes is forbidden.
Please note: powerbanks and similar devices used as an energy source are considered to be spare batteries and may therefore not be carried in checked baggage. Charging batteries on board is prohibited.
You can find more information about lithium batteries at:
- Wheelchairs and other mobility aids with non-spillable batteries
- Wheelchairs and other mobility aids with lithium-ion batteries
- Wheelchairs and other mobility aids with wet batteries
- Items of baggage that contain an integral, non-removable battery
- Items of baggage that contain an integral, removable battery
- Portable electronic devices with lithium-ion batteries (e-cigarettes, powerbanks)
- Portable electronic devices with non-spillable batteries (not lithium batteries)
- Portable medical electronic devices
You will also find summary information on the subject of lithium batteries and dangerous goods in the information video produced by EASA (the European Aviation Safety Agency).
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Please note that:
- the restrictions on liquids in carry-on baggage also apply to the items listed.
- certain items are allowed in your carry-on baggage, but not in checked baggage. These items must be removed if your carry-on baggage cannot be accommodated in the cabin.
New security regulations for flights to the USA from 30 June 2018:
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has adjusted the security regulations for flights to the USA from 30 June 2018. The list of prohibited items has been expanded to include powders or powder-like substances, in addition to the existing restrictions on liquids (1 litre max. and 100 ml per individual container). As a rule, powders or powder-like substances of more than 350 ml total volume will no longer be permitted in carry-on baggage. Powders or powder-like substances of less than 350 ml in volume may also be prohibited in carry-on baggage, for example if there is doubt about the identity of the substance. Lufthansa therefore advises all passengers travelling to the USA either to avoid carrying powders or powder-like substances altogether or to pack them in their checked baggage.
All dangerous goods at a glance
If you would like detailed information about dangerous goods, you can find a comprehensive list by category on the following page: