IATA 2026 regulations for transporting lithium batteries and dive lights by plane. Calculate watt-hours, cabin vs. cargo hold, practical solutions, and pitfalls to avoid before your next trip.
No. Spare lithium batteries must always be carried in the cabin, regardless of their capacity. If your dive light has a removable battery, remove it and place it in the cabin inside a LiPo bag. The body of the dive light without the battery can go 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 100Wh. The value in Wh is often found directly 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 store the lighthouse in a hard case to protect the optics.
Yes. A power bank is a backup lithium battery and must be carried in your carry-on luggage. It is prohibited in checked baggage, even when turned off. The limit is 100Wh without requiring a declaration, with a maximum of 160Wh if approved by the airline.
Request a written statement from the airline company. Ensure your battery label clearly displays its Watt-hour (Wh) rating. If they continue to refuse, never place batteries in checked baggage without explicit written permission: they may be confiscated at the airport or entrusted to a third party.
No, this is not a requirement from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). However, it is recommended for battery packs with a capacity greater than 40Wh. It helps prevent potential thermal runaway and provides reassurance to security personnel. Please carry only one such device, ensuring it is clearly visible.
Yes. IATA regulations set a minimum requirement. Some airlines, such as Ryanair or EasyJet, apply stricter rules. Always check the specific policy of your airline before departure, on its official website.
At Brussels-Zaventem airport, heading to 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 battery packs. This wasn't due to any ill will. The regulations regarding lithium batteries on airplanes are complex, constantly changing, and interpreted differently depending on the airport and airline.
This guide compiles information that I wish I had printed out that morning.
The IATA (International Air Transport Association) rules establish the international framework for transporting dangerous goods, including lithium batteries. These rules apply to all member airlines, but each carrier can 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 luggage. Devices with built-in batteries can be transported in checked baggage if the device is turned off and protected, and dive lights pose a specific problem that most guides overlook.
Two types of batteries are relevant for scuba divers who also take photographs.
Lithium-ion (Li-Ion): This type powers the vast majority of modern equipment. It includes camera batteries, dive light battery packs, power banks, and video housing batteries.Lithium Metal: Non-rechargeable batteries (AA, AAA lithium format), some older devices. Less common but found in a few surface lights or portable strobes.
For lithium-ion batteries, everything depends on the watt-hour rating. If the Wh value is not listed on the label, the formula is simple:
Wh = mAh × nominal voltage (V) / 1000
Here are some concrete examples with 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 |
| Pack of 4 x 18650 (Sola / Kraken light) | ~12000mAh | 3.7V | ~44Wh |
| Pack of 8 x 18650 (video housing) | ~24000mAh | 3.7V | ~88Wh |
The good news: most batteries for underwater photography equipment remain well below 100Wh.
In the Cabin: - Batteries up to 100Wh: Permitted without any particular restrictions, in a reasonable quantity for personal use. - Batteries from 100Wh to 160Wh: Maximum of 2 per passenger, with prior agreement from the airline. - Batteries exceeding 160Wh: Prohibited on standard commercial aircraft.In the cargo hold: - Spare batteries (not installed in a device): prohibited in the cargo hold, regardless of capacity. - Devices with an installed battery: allowed in the cargo hold if the device is switched off, protected against any accidental activation, and the battery is below 100Wh.
The most important rule to remember: a spare battery should never be placed in the cargo hold.
This is where regulations become a real headache, and where most guides stop without addressing the underlying issue.
The specific risk of a dive light in the cargo hold with its battery is accidental activation. A dive light that turns on in the cargo area during an eight-hour flight can overheat. If the battery is present and heat accumulates, there is a real thermal risk. IATA has identified this and translated it into a simple rule: any device equipped with a lithium battery 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 transportation safety features. A simple bump against the button can turn them on.
Dive light with removable battery (the ideal situation): remove the battery before going to the airport. The battery goes in the cabin in a LiPo bag. The empty dive light body goes in the cargo hold in a hard case. The problem is solved, without ambiguity.Flashlight with a non-removable battery but an isolatable button: Secure the button mechanically using electrical tape or a plastic tie. Place the flashlight in a hard case that prevents any accidental pressure. Document the protection with a photo on your phone before inspection. Under these conditions, the flashlight can be placed in checked baggage.
Flashlight with a built-in battery and direct access to the button: This is the most difficult situation. The safest solution is to take the flashlight in carry-on luggage along with its battery, after securing the button. Calculate the Wh (watt-hours) of the integrated battery to ensure you remain below 100Wh.
The unlisted Wh value. Some Chinese flashlight batteries only display mAh and voltage, without calculating the Wh. Perform the calculation yourself and print out the manufacturer's datasheet. An inspector who cannot verify the capacity may block your passage, even if the battery is perfectly within the allowed 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 batteries, 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. A light that is accepted when departing from Brussels may cause problems in Dubai or Singapore if local rules differ. For flights with layovers, check the regulations of the countries being transited.
Lithium battery packs without IATA labeling. Some high-end lights use proprietary battery packs sold separately, which do not have standard labeling. Carry the invoice or official datasheet clearly indicating the Wh value. 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 poses a real safety risk and can also be grounds for rejection during security checks. Replace very old battery packs before a long-haul trip.
After several years of traveling with photographic equipment and lights, here's how I systematically organize my luggage.
In carry-on baggage: all spare batteries in a dedicated LiPo bag (camera batteries, light packs, power banks, housing batteries), the main camera in a camera bag, lenses in their case.
In checked baggage: light housings without batteries in a hard case, the waterproof housing in a padded suitcase, wetsuit, fins, regulators.On your phone: a photo of each battery with the Wh label visible, and the technical specifications for battery packs that don't have standard labeling.
This approach prevents me from having to re-explain the situation at every departure. And if an agent has questions, I can provide an immediate and verifiable answer.
| Item | Cabin | Baggage Compartment | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spare battery < 100Wh | ✓ | ✗ | Must be in the cabin |
| Spare battery 100-160Wh | ✓ (max 2) | ✗ | Airline approval required |
| Device with battery < 100Wh | ✓ | ✓ | Baggage compartment: device must be switched off and protected |
| Underwater light with battery removed | N/A | ✓ | Safety lock engaged, hard case recommended |
| Power bank | ✓ | ✗ | Must be in the cabin |
To organize all of your diving and photography equipment, the guide how to distribute your gear between the cabin and baggage compartment goes beyond batteries and covers all photography and diving 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 checklist for a diving and photography trip 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- always check the specific conditions of your carrier before departure, on their official website.
Do you want to approach your next diving and underwater photography trip with thorough preparation, from equipment to air transport? The AquaExposure training course includes a travel logistics module because arriving at the site with the right equipment is the first condition for taking good photos.
