IATA 2026 regulations for transporting lithium batteries and dive lights on airplanes. Calculate watt-hours, understand cabin vs. cargo hold rules, discover.
No. Spare lithium batteries must always be transported in the cabin, regardless of their capacity. If your dive light has a removable battery, remove it and place it in the cabin in a LiPo bag. The light housing without the battery can be placed in checked baggage.
Batteries up to 100Wh are permitted in carry-on luggage in reasonable quantities for personal use, with no fixed limit. Batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh are limited to two per passenger, subject to prior approval from the airline. Batteries exceeding 160Wh are prohibited.
Formula: Wh = mAh x voltage (V) / 1000. Example: a 4x18650 battery pack with 3000mAh at 3.7V equals approximately 44Wh, which is well below the 100Wh limit. The value in Wh is often directly indicated on the label or in the manufacturer's specifications.
Yes. The body of an empty lighthouse is a common object. Secure the button with tape to avoid any ambiguity during inspection, and place the lighthouse in a hard case to protect the optics.
Yes. A power bank is a replacement lithium battery and must be carried in the cabin. It is prohibited in checked baggage, even when turned off. The limit is 100Wh without a declaration, and a maximum of 160Wh with the airline's approval.
Request a written confirmation from the airline. Ensure your battery has a visible Wh (watt-hour) label. If the refusal persists, never place batteries in the cargo hold without explicit written permission: they may be confiscated at the airport or entrusted to a third party.
No, it is not an IATA requirement. However, it is recommended for battery packs with a capacity greater than 40Wh because it helps prevent potential thermal runaway and provides reassurance to security personnel. Please carry only one, and ensure it is clearly visible.
Yes. IATA regulations set a minimum requirement. Some airlines, such as Ryanair or EasyJet, apply stricter restrictions. Always check the specific policy of your airline before you travel, on its official website.
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At Brussels-Zaventem, departing for the Maldives with two dive lights, a waterproof housing, and four spare batteries in my carry-on luggage, I spent twenty minutes with a security agent who didn't know what to do with my batteries. This wasn't due to any ill will. It's because the regulations regarding lithium batteries on airplanes are complex, constantly changing, and interpreted differently depending on the airport and airline.
This guide compiles the information I wish I had printed out that morning.The IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations establish the international framework for the transport of dangerous goods, including lithium batteries. These regulations apply to all member airlines, but each carrier may choose to make them stricter. What you read here corresponds to the standard IATA 2026 regulations - always check the specific conditions of your airline before departure.
In a nutshell: Spare lithium batteries are only allowed in carry-on baggage. Devices equipped with a battery can be transported in checked baggage if the device is switched off and protected. Dive lights, however, pose a specific problem that most guides overlook.
Two types of batteries are relevant to underwater photographers.
Lithium-ion (Li-Ion): This is the type of battery used in the vast majority of modern equipment. It includes camera batteries, dive light batteries, power banks, and video housing batteries.
Lithium metal: These are non-rechargeable batteries (lithium AA, AAA format) and are found in some older devices. They are less common but may be present in some surface lights or portable strobes.
For lithium-ion batteries, everything is determined by watt-hours. If the Wh value is not listed on the label, the formula is simple:
Wh = mAh × nominal voltage (V) / 1000Here are some concrete examples using common underwater photography equipment:
| Battery | Capacity | Voltage | Estimated Wh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony NP-FZ100 (Alpha) | 2280mAh | 7.2V | 16.4Wh |
| Canon LP-E6NH | 2130mAh | 7.2V | 15.3Wh |
| Standard 18650 cell | 3000mAh | 3.7V | 11.1Wh |
| 4x18650 pack (Sola / Kraken light) | ~12000mAh | 3.7V | ~44Wh |
| 8x18650 pack (video housing) | ~24000mAh | 3.7V | ~88Wh |
The good news is that most batteries for underwater photography equipment remain well below 100Wh.
In the cabin: - Batteries up to 100Wh: allowed without any particular restrictions, in a reasonable number for personal use. - Batteries from 100Wh to 160Wh: a maximum of 2 per passenger, with prior agreement from the airline. - Batteries exceeding 160Wh: prohibited on standard commercial aircraft.
In checked baggage: - Spare batteries (not installed in a device): prohibited in checked baggage, regardless of capacity. - Devices with battery installed: allowed in checked baggage if the device is turned off, protected against any accidental activation, and the battery is below 100Wh.
The most important rule to remember: a spare battery will never go in checked baggage.
The specific risk associated with a dive light stored in the cargo hold, particularly with its battery, is accidental activation. A dive light that turns on in the cargo hold for eight hours of flight time generates heat. If the battery is present and the heat accumulates, the risk of thermal runaway is real. IATA has identified this risk and translated it into a simple rule: any device equipped with a lithium battery and placed in the cargo hold must be protected against any accidental activation during transport.
However, the vast majority of dive lights do not have built-in transport safety features. A simple bump against the button can turn them on.
Dive light with a removable battery (the ideal situation): remove the battery before heading to the airport. The battery goes in the cabin in a LiPo bag. The empty light housing goes in the cargo hold in a hard case. The problem is solved, without ambiguity.
Dive light with a non-removable battery but an isolatable button: Secure the button mechanically with electrical tape or a plastic tie. Place the light in a hard case that prevents any accidental pressure. Document the protection with a photo on your phone before security. The light can go in the cargo hold under these conditions.Underwater lights with integrated batteries and direct access to the button: This is the most challenging situation. The safest solution is to place the light in the cabin with its battery, after securing the button. Calculate the Wh (watt-hours) of the integrated battery to ensure you remain below 100Wh.
The unstated Wh value. Some Chinese underwater light batteries only display the mAh (milliampere-hour) and voltage, without calculating the Wh. Perform the calculation yourself and print the manufacturer's datasheet. An agent who cannot verify the capacity may block your passage, even if the battery is perfectly within the limits.
Low-cost airlines. Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and several Asian carriers have more restrictive policies than the minimum IATA regulations. Some limit power banks to 40Wh, others refuse certain types of packs, or require specific packaging. Check the official website of your airline, not a diving forum.
Transit. IATA regulations apply onboard the aircraft, but airport security checks are subject to local regulations. An underwater light accepted for departure from Brussels may cause problems in Dubai or Singapore if local regulations are different. On flights with layovers, check the regulations of the countries being traversed.Lithium battery packs without IATA labeling. Some high-end dive lights use proprietary battery packs sold separately, without standard labeling. Carry the invoice or official datasheet with the Wh value clearly indicated. A photo taken on your phone is perfectly acceptable.
Very old batteries. A lithium battery that is very worn may be swollen or show signs of degradation. This is both a real safety risk and a reason for rejection during inspection. Replace very old battery packs before a long-haul trip.
After several years of traveling with photography equipment and dive lights, here's how I consistently organize my luggage.
In carry-on luggage: All spare batteries in a dedicated LiPo bag (camera batteries, dive light packs, power banks, battery housings), the main camera in a camera bag, and lenses in their cases.
In checked luggage: Dive light bodies without batteries in a hard case, the waterproof housing in a padded hard suitcase, the wetsuit, fins, and regulators.
On my phone: A photo of each battery with the Wh label visible, and the datasheets for battery packs without standard labeling.This organization prevents me from having to re-explain the Zaventem procedure every time I travel. And if an agent has a question, I have an immediate and verifiable answer.
| Item | Cabin | Hold | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spare battery < 100Wh | ✓ | ✗ | Must be in the cabin |
| Spare battery 100-160Wh | ✓ max 2 | ✗ | Airline approval required |
| Device with battery < 100Wh | ✓ | ✓ | Hold: device must be turned off and protected |
| Light with battery removed | N/A | ✓ | Safety button engaged, hard case |
| Power bank | ✓ | ✗ | Must be in the cabin |
To organize all of your diving and photography equipment, the guide how to distribute your equipment between the cabin and hold goes beyond batteries and covers all diving and photography equipment. If you are traveling with multiple housings or a video setup, how to compact your equipment for your diving trip provides concrete strategies to reduce the volume. And to make sure you don't forget anything before a flight, the ultimate diving and photography trip checklist in 50 points includes a section on batteries that you can use as a starting point.The information in this article is based on IATA regulations for 2026. Regulations evolve, and airline policies change, so always check the specific conditions of your airline before departure, on its official website.
Do you want to approach your next underwater photography trip with thorough preparation, from equipment to air transport? The AquaExposure training course includes a logistics and travel module because arriving at the site with the right equipment is the first condition for taking good photos.
