anyone have any problems bringing CR123 lithium batteries on a plane?

[oceanside]

Hi, I was wondering if anybody has any recent experiences/problems bringing a box of lithium batteries on a plane. If there are potential problems with airline security, what would be the best way to fly with them? I'm assuming checked baggage would be better, but I'm looking for your thoughts on this.

 

[ninemm]

I researched this on the forums recently and no one has had any trouble with new in package batteries being transported on the plane via carryon or checked baggage.

I recently carried my RA Clicky on the plane and didn't get a blink from security. Also, checked a bag with a few 123s and they arrived fine as well.

 

[smokelaw1]

I'll reconfirm what I've said in the past, and have done again recetnly.
I travel frequently. I always have at least a few lights with me (shocker!!), and always have at least 6 CR123s in a case built for them. I almost never cehck bags. I have been asked why I need so many flashlights, but I've never even been questioend on the batteries.

 

[Reaper]

Being flying a few times and I never had any problems. Only once did a TSA guy looked and that was only because my light looked strange? However, I do remember in some past post that you MAY have issues if going overseas. Seems that in some places they have a habit of not allowing 123's in (?) or maybe they just like your light and decide to add it to their collection? Just my 2cents and I could be wrong.

 

[tadbik]

As far as I'm aware you MUST take your lithium batteries with you in you hand luggage.

See this link:

http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html

 

[computernut]

I recently flew from Canada into the States and had an L1 on my body along with an A2 and 8 spare cells in my carry-on and didn't have any issues. Except for the time I forgot my L1 in my side pants pocket and the guy with the wand asked me what it was. After I told him that it was a flashlight, the screener held it away from himself, pushed the tailcap and after it lit up he threw it in a bin going through the xray machine.

 

[Mikeg23]

Okay how about a cruise ship? I've never been on a cruise and will be heading to the bahamas on July 5th should I anticipate problems with flashlights?

Pretty much all of my lights use CR123s or 17670/18650... I figured I would take my Fenix LOD and HDS U60 with some spare batteries for both. Wife will probably take Surefire E1B.

 

[Solscud007]

I just flew to SFO and LAX this past weekend. Here is a list of what i brought on the plane.

Surefire:
E2DL
Kroma
U2 Ultra
G2L
X200
3P
T1A Titan
L6 Porcupine clone
M900 weaponlight
C2-HA
A2
E2E

Blackhawk gladius

That is a total of 26 CR123 batteries not including the 6x CR123 in my SF weapon case and the 6x CR123 in my SF SC1 case

So that makes a grand total of 38 batteries.

TSA didnt even bat an eye. Oh i removed the strike bezel from the porcupine and put it in my SF weaponlight case.

 

[PeaceOfMind]

I've had no problems bringing CR123s carry-on. As was already pointed out, you're actually supposed to carry them on and NOT check them. You need to have them packed in a way such that they won't short, and no one will give them a second thought.

 

[GMUGNIER]

Has anyone tried carry on with Lithium primary cells or rechargable Li-Ion cells as of late??

 

[KeepingItLight]

Has anyone tried carry on with Lithium primary cells or rechargable Li-Ion cells as of late??

Does earlier this month qualify as "of late?" See this thread:

What do you FLY with these days?
​

It covers a lot of issues, including batteries.

 

[1DaveN]

Okay how about a cruise ship? I've never been on a cruise and will be heading to the bahamas on July 5th should I anticipate problems with flashlights?

Pretty much all of my lights use CR123s or 17670/18650... I figured I would take my Fenix LOD and HDS U60 with some spare batteries for both. Wife will probably take Surefire E1B.

I doubt the cruise line will even notice. I just went a few months ago with my E25 and an E01, both with lithium primaries and spares, with no problem. I assume they might glance around for really obvious contraband (fireworks, guns), but it's my impression that their focus is more on smuggled adult beverages than anything else. Actually on the one we took, they have you remove all your beverages, and then run your bags though an x-ray scanner, only opening them if they see something suspicious.

I flew 1-3 times a year for about 10 years before being told not to put lithium batteries in checked bags. Securely packaged batteries shouldn't be an issue regardless, but I tend to travel with primaries rather than li-ions, and if a few Energizer Ultimates find their way into my checked bag, I don't lose any sleep over it.

 

[RedLED]

Often I think, what if one of these crazy terrorist *******s uses a few flashlights and the lithium batteries, and possibly something else to make a bomb? All it took was the shoe asshole and you know what degrading things we have to do.

If that ever happens, lights could be banned on all commercial flights -- imagine, no flashlights while traveling!

I guess I would drop them in the FedEx cases and my Haliburton luggage I send ahead that costs (Clients) thousands of dollars round trip to the location then back, I can't check the expensive gear I use in with the careless airlines. Example: I get a few last minute requests from large companies and they, in a recent example, tell me we need you tomorrow, well that is much to late to to a packing job that takes almost a day, and no way to meet an overnight shippers deadline, so I told them can't you hire local? NO! the CEO and Chairman want you. Fine, I said, send your jet for me or I won't do the project. Guess what they did. And both shook my hand for standing my ground.

Little OT, but we should all get used to the idea batteries and flashlights will be banned.

Up to now, I have had no trouble with lights and the authorities but, that can change overnight. Sad world we live in post September 11, 2001.

 

[sidecross]

When mailing packages at an USPS site they will ask if you are sending lithium batteries? I think they can be sent but all lithium batteries sent in the USA are supposed to be labeled with a warning about their being in a shipped package.

 

[recDNA]

Often I think, what if one of these crazy terrorist *******s uses a few flashlights and the lithium batteries, and possibly something else to make a bomb? All it took was the shoe asshole and you know what degrading things we have to do.

If that ever happens, lights could be banned on all commercial flights -- imagine, no flashlights while traveling!

I guess I would drop them in the FedEx cases and my Haliburton luggage I send ahead that costs (Clients) thousands of dollars round trip to the location then back, I can't check the expensive gear I use in with the careless airlines. Example: I get a few last minute requests from large companies and they, in a recent example, tell me we need you tomorrow, well that is much to late to to a packing job that takes almost a day, and no way to meet an overnight shippers deadline, so I told them can't you hire local? NO! the CEO and Chairman want you. Fine, I said, send your jet for me or I won't do the project. Guess what they did. And both shook my hand for standing my ground.

Little OT, but we should all get used to the idea batteries and flashlights will be banned.

Up to now, I have had no trouble with lights and the authorities but, that can change overnight. Sad world we live in post September 11, 2001.

Heck, all they need to do is open the door. Explosive decompression should do the rest.

 

[magellan]

I went thru airport security recently coming back from Hawaii with half a dozen CR2 batteries, half a dozen 10180 batteries, and several flashlights, a couple of power banks, and several chargers. Plus a dozen NiMH batteries (which are not a problem) and they looked at everything closely, which delayed me somewhat, but I eventually was let thru.

 

[RedLED]

Heck, all they need to do is open the door. Explosive decompression should do the rest.

Could you explain this in a little more detail? Not sure I understand it.

Thank you,

RL

 

[sidecross]

Could you explain this in a little more detail? Not sure I understand it.

Thank you,

RL

Think of implosion instead of explosion.

 

[recDNA]

Could you explain this in a little more detail? Not sure I understand it.

Thank you,

RL

I suspect there are safeguards preventing passengers opening the door inflight.

 

[Lumencrazy]

This is the law regarding lithium metal (i.e.. CR123) batteries. Reference FAA

Pack Safe

Lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, spare (uninstalled)Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries, cell phone batteries, laptop batteries, external batteries, portable rechargers


Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. The battery terminals must be protected from short circuit.

You can be a hero and sneak free (uninstalled) CR123a batteries as checked in luggage. If you get caught, too bad for you. Remember, ignorance of the law is not an argument in court.