Dry Cells and Spare Batteries
Allowed in cabin if individually protected. Not allowed loose in checked baggage.
Pack AA/AAA/9V cells in their retail pack or plastic sleeves and keep them in cabin baggage. Loose cells rolling around a backpack are confiscated because their terminals can short and ignite nearby fabric.
What to do
✅ Do
- •Use separate cases for charged and empty cells to avoid mixing.
- •Print watt-hour equivalents for rechargeable AA packs if requested.
- •Carry a tiny screwdriver if toys need batteries removed—just place it in checked baggage if the blade exceeds limits.
🚫 Don't
- •Don’t toss button cells loosely—store them in child-safe envelopes.
- •Don’t bring rusted or leaked cells; they’ll be binned and may lead to bag searches.
- •Avoid carrying more than a dozen high-capacity cells without documentation.
Battery types at a glance
| Type | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline AA/AAA | ✅ Allowed | ⚠️ Only if installed in devices |
| 9V / camera cells | ✅ Allowed if terminals taped | ❌ Not loose |
| Lead-acid / car | ❌ Needs cargo | ❌ |
Frequently asked questions
Are rechargeable NiMH cells treated like lithium?+
Can I carry button cells for medical devices?+
What if I forget to remove batteries from checked devices?+
Related guides
Related rules
Power bank in flight
Not allowed in checked baggage.
Laptop in cabin/check-in
Cabin strongly recommended; checked baggage only if fully powered off and padded.
Mobile phone in check-in
Technically allowed but discouraged. Phones must be switched off if checked in.
Camera (DSLR)
Allowed in cabin. Pack heavy tripods or light stands in checked baggage.
Smart luggage
Allowed only if the lithium battery is removable. Battery must be in cabin when bag is checked.
Bluetooth headphones
Allowed in cabin mode with flight-safe settings. Must pause during safety demo and landing announcements.
Official references
DGCA guidelines — simplified
Verified on: 6 Dec 2025
Disclaimer: Aviation and security rules change frequently. Always confirm with your airline, airport help desk, or CISF officers before you travel.