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Electronic devices and batteries

Personal electronic devices and batteries are classified as hazardous items and can pose a safety risk: if damaged, they can overheat, short-circuit, and catch fire.

Here you will find all the useful information about personal electronic devices and batteries. The symbols indicate whether they can be carried on board and under what conditions.

Personal electronic devices or batteries that are defective, damaged, or withdrawn by the manufacturer for safety reasons are not permitted.

The list of electronic devices and batteries is not exhaustive and is constantly updated.

The power of lithium-ion batteries is indicated in watt hours (Wh). For lithium-metal batteries, the lithium content (LC) is indicated.

Guide to calculating battery power

Battery power in watt hours (Wh) is obtained by using one of the following formulas:

  • Wh = Ah × V 
  • Wh = mAh × V ÷ 1,000 

Key:

  • Wh = watt-hour 
  • Ah = ampere-hour
  • mAh = milliampere-hour 
  • V = volts (battery voltage)

Power limit: max. 100 Wh or 2 g LC per device

Quantity limit: max. 15 devices with their batteries per passenger

Electronic devices for personal use include:

  • laptops, cell phones, tablets,
  • electric toiletries (toothbrushes, razors, etc.), 
  • electric toys, 
  • drones, watches, pocket calculators, or 
  • other electronic entertainment or telecommunication systems.

When possible, these must be carried in your hand baggage.

General rules of carriage

  • Protect the device from damage.
  • Avoid inadvertent activation of the device or remove the battery and isolate the contacts to prevent short circuits.
  • If you are bringing multiple devices, pack them separately, for example with clothing or with the original packaging.

Additional rules for transport in checked baggage

  • Max. three devices larger than a smartphone.
  • Do not store the device together with easily flammable materials (e.g., fragrances, sprays, etc.).
  • Turn the device off completely and protect it from inadvertent activation.
  • Ensure that preset functions, alarms, or configurations are disabled.
  • Protect the device with proper packaging or a sturdy, sufficiently padded case.

Power banks are not considered portable electronic devices. You can find information about transporting power banks in the 'Power bank' section.

Please Note:

  • For safety reasons, portable electronic devices must always be visible and accessible when connected to the aircraft’s power supply system.
  • For devices with batteries above 100 Wh and up to max. 160 Wh, an airline-issued transportation authorization is required.
  • Communicate the presence of devices and batteries requiring authorization at the time of booking by using the dedicated email address.

These are portable electronic devices with batteries that DO NOT CONTAIN LITHIUM (e.g., manganese alkaline, carbon-zinc, nickel-cadmium, or nickel-metal hydride) for personal use:

  • electric toiletries (toothbrushes, razors, etc.), 
  • electric toys, 
  • drones, watches, pocket calculators, or 
  • other electronic entertainment or telecommunication devices.

When possible, these must be carried in your hand baggage.

Rules for transport in checked baggage

  • Turn the devices off completely and protect them  from inadvertent activation
  • Ensure that apps, alarms, or preset configurations are disabled.
  • Protect your device with proper packaging or a sturdy, sufficiently padded case.
  • If you are bringing multiple devices, pack them separately, for example with clothing or with the original packaging.

Additional requirements for transporting sealed lead batteries

  • Max. power limit 12 V / 100 Wh per battery.
  • Sealed lead batteries (e.g., gel batteries) may not contain free or unabsorbed liquid.

Power banks are not considered portable electronic devices. You can find information about transporting power banks in the 'Power bank' section.

Max. power limit: 100 Wh or 2 g LC per device

Quantity limit: max. two power banks per person

Rules of Carriage:

  • Charging and using power banks is prohibited. An exception is made for those used for approved medical devices.

  • Power banks must not be stored in the overhead locker above the seats. For safety reasons, please store your power banks under the seat in front of you or in the seat pocket, on your person, or in your hand baggage.

  • Power banks must be protected from damage.
  • Prevent short circuits when devices are not in use, for example by storing them in their original packaging, insulating exposed terminals with tape, or storing each power bank in a separate plastic bag or protective case.

Please Note:

  • for power banks above 100 Wh and up to a maximum of 160 Wh, an airline-issued transportation authorization is required;

  • At the time of booking, notify the ITA Airways Customer Information Assistance Center of power banks requiring authorization.

Power and quantity limits for lithium batteries

Power limit       Quantity limit Inside hand baggage Inside checked baggage Request for transport authorization Max. 100 Wh
Max. 2 g LC    
20* Yes No No
> 100 Wh up to a maximum of 160 Wh 2 Yes No Yes > 2 g LC up to a maximum of 8 g LC 2** Yes No Yes

* The quantity limit includes all types of batteries, such as sealed lead batteries, dry batteries, gel batteries, lithium batteries, and power banks.

** For medical equipment only.

Conditions for carriage

All batteries must have individually insulated terminals to prevent short circuits.

This can be done, for example:

  • by transporting the item in its original packaging;
  • by covering exposed terminals with adhesive tape;
  • by putting each battery in a protective case or a separate plastic bag.

Power and quantity limit for sealed lead batteries

  • max. 12 V/100 Wh per battery
  • max. two spare batteries

Please Note:

  • Charging of batteries on board is not permitted;
  • For lithium batteries above 100 Wh and up to a maximum of 160 Wh as well as above 2 g and up to a maximum of 8 g LC, an airline-issued transport authorization is required;
  • At the time of booking, notify the ITA Airways Customer Information Assistance Center of batteries requiring authorization.

Battery-powered personal transport devices refer to any small electric vehicle designed to carry one or more people.

Among other items, this category includes:

  • hoverboards
  • electric bikes
  • bicycles with assisted pedaling
  • electric scooters
  • electric monocycles
  • underwater scooters
  • segways
  • electric skis and electric snowboards


This prohibition applies regardless of battery capacity and whether the batteries are fixed or removable. It also applies to battery-powered personal transport devices without an integrated battery

The list of devices is for illustrative purposes only.

These items may only be transported as cargo in accordance with the IATA Hazardous Goods Guidelines.

For safety reasons and due to aircraft loading requirements, there are limitations regarding:

  • battery power, 
  • overall weight, and
  • the dimensions of the wheelchair or mobility aid.

Please Note:

  • For wheelchairs and mobility aids, transport authorization issued by the airline is required;
  • Please contact the ​ITA Airways Assistance Team or send an email to the dedicated address prenotazione.assistenza@ita-airways.com with details of your device (manufacturer’s data sheet or manual) for pre-registration and medical review, no later than 48 hours before departure. If you are calling from abroad, please check your country-specific phone number.

Download the Battery-Powered Mobility Aids Form,The link will be opened in a new browser tab fill it out, and attach it to your device.

Lithium battery power limit: max. 160 Wh or 8 g LC per device

Power limit for sealed lead batteries: max. 100 Wh and 12 V per device

Please Note:

  • For portable battery-powered medical devices, an airline-issued transport authorization and a medical permit for use on board are required;
  • Please contact the ​ITA Airways Assistance Team or send an email to the dedicated address prenotazione.assistenza@ita-airways.com with details of your device (manufacturer’s data sheet or manual) for pre-registration and medical review, no later than 48 hours before departure. If you are calling from abroad, please check your country-specific phone number.

For more information on POCs, see Oxygen therapy apparatus

Quantity limit: for personal use only *

Lithium battery power limit: max. 100 Wh or 2 g LC per device

Restrictions on transport inside hand baggage

  • Use and charging on board are prohibited.
  • Devices cannot be stored in the overhead locker above the seats. For safety reasons, please place your devices in your hand baggage under the seat in front of you, in the seat pocket, or on your person.
  • Accidental activation must not be possible.

Note: In some countries, the transportation of e-cigarettes or other inhalers is not permitted.

* A limit of up to 15 total portable electronic devices per person applies.

Quantity limit: 15 devices (including all electronic devices) with lithium batteries per person

Power limit Inside hand baggage Inside checked baggage Request for transport authorization Max. 100 Wh
Max. 2 g LC
Yes Yes, but recommended in hand baggage No
> 100 Wh up to a maximum of 160 Wh Yes No Yes

When possible, these must be carried in your hand baggage.

Rules for transport in checked baggage

  • Max. three devices larger than a smartphone.
  • Do not store your device with easily flammable materials (e.g., fragrances, sprays, etc.).
  • Turn off devices completely and protect them from inadvertent activation. 
  • Ensure that preset functions, alarms, or configurations are disabled.
  • Protect your device with proper packaging or a sturdy, sufficiently padded case.
  • If you are bringing multiple devices, pack them separately, for example with clothing or with the original packaging.

Power banks are not considered portable electronic devices. Information on transporting power banks can be found in the ‘Power bank’ section.

Please Note:

  • for photo and video equipment with batteries above 100 Wh and up to a maximum of 160 Wh, an airline-issued transportation authorization is required;
  • Communicate the presence of devices and batteries requiring authorization at the time of booking by using the dedicated email address.

You can find detailed information on transporting avalanche backpacks at the following link:

Quantity limit: for personal use only *

* A limit of up to 15 portable electronic devices per person applies.

Please Note:

  • For diving lamps, welders, or other heat-generating devices, an airline-issued transport authorization is required;
  • Notify the ITA Airways Customer Information Assistance Center at the time of booking about diving lamps, welders, or other heat-producing objects.

Restrictions on transport inside hand baggage

  • The device must be turned off.
  • The batteries and heating components of portable electronic devices that can produce extreme heat must be insulated by removing the heating component, the battery, or other components.
  • Regulations for transporting loose batteries or portable electronic devices that use batteries are applicable. Information on this topic can be found in the “Power banks, replacement batteries, and loose batteries” and “Portable electronic devices with lithium batteries for personal use” sections.

Quantity limit (including lithium batteries*): 20 items per person

* The quantity limit includes all types of batteries, such as sealed lead batteries, dry batteries, gel batteries, and lithium batteries.

Examples of sealed batteries: gel batteries and AGM batteries

Examples of dry batteries: nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, manganese alkaline batteries, or carbon-zinc batteries

Conditions for transporting sealed lead batteries and dry batteries

  • Sealed lead batteries (e.g., gel batteries) may not contain free or unabsorbed liquid.
  • It is necessary to ensure that the batteries are protected from heat and do not generate heat themselves. 
  • For all batteries, the contacts must be individually insulated to prevent short circuits. This is possible if the transported item is in the original packaging, the exposed terminals are insulated with adhesive tape, or if each battery is stored in a separate plastic bag or protective case.

Power and quantity limit for sealed lead batteries

  • max. 12 V/100 Wh per battery
  • max. two spare batteries

Power limit: max. 100 Wh / 2 g LC

“Smart baggage” refers to a travel bag with integrated technology features, such as electronic locks, scales, or GPS tracking systems. Electrical devices for carrying personal belongings, such as electric golf carts, also fall into this category.

Rules of Carriage:

  • The battery must be removed from the baggage.
  • The removed battery must be transported in the cabin. Find more information in the “Power banks, spare batteries, and loose batteries” section.
  • Without batteries, the suitcase can be carried as checked baggage.

Please Note:

  • The transport of baggage with an integrated electric scooter (e.g., Modobags or Airwheel) is prohibited; see the chapter “Battery-powered personal transport devices, e.g., electric bikes, electric scooters, underwater scooters, electric trolleys, and the like”.
  • For fixed smart baggage features with integrated lithium batteries, such as electronic locks or electronic scales, power limitations can be found in the “Smart baggage: fixed lithium batteries” section.
  • Information on baggage locators or Electronic Baggage Tags (EBTs) can be found in the “Baggage Locators” and “Electronic Baggage Tags (EBTs)” sections.
  • For batteries above 100 Wh and up to a maximum of 160 Wh, an airline-issued transportation authorization is required.
  • At the time of booking, notify the ITA Airways Customer Information Assistance Center of power banks requiring authorization.

Power limit: max. 2.7 Wh / 0.3 g LC

Smart baggage is distinguished by technical features such as an integrated locking system, a scale, or GPS tracking. Electrical equipment for carrying personal items, such as electric golf carts, is also considered smart baggage.

Please Note:

  • Smart baggage with fixed lithium batteries greater than 2.7 Wh or 0.3 g LC is not permitted.

Power limit per device:

Power limit  (per device)

Inside hand baggage

Inside checked baggage or in the carrier

max. 2.7 Wh

max 0.3 g LC

Yes

Yes  

> 2.7 Wh/0.3 g LC up to a maximum of 100 Wh/2 g LC

Yes

No

Transport restriction up to a maximum of 2.7 Wh/0.3 g LC

  • Approved transmission features: low energy, such as Wi-Fi, UWB, Bluetooth, or RFID.

  • The locator can be activated during travel, but must be stowed in your baggage to avoid damage.

Transport restriction > 2.7 Wh/0.3 g LC up to a maximum of 100 Wh/2 g LC:

  • During transport, the GPS locator must be turned off and packed to prevent damage or accidental activation.

Please Note:

  • When used in carriers, the locator must be secured in such a way that it is protected from damage and does not compromise the well-being of the animal.

Bags with electronic baggage tags (EBTS) with itinerary display, such as BAGTAG or Rimowa smart bags and the like - and used in place of a printed bag tag - are allowed in checked and hand baggage.

Travel safely with lithium batteries

In this video, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the organization responsible for international aviation security, explains the risks associated with lithium batteries and how to transport them safely and correctly.

If you would like to bring an electronic device or battery that does not appear above, please contact our Customer Information Assistance Center.

Other Transportation Information

  • All lithium batteries must comply with the requirements of the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Chapter 38.3.
  • If you still carry electronic devices or batteries whose transport is not permitted, you risk having these items confiscated at the airport. We assume no responsibility for confiscated items.
  • These transportation guidelines are based on national regulations as well as the IATA Hazardous Goods Regulations currently in force to ensure the safe transport of electronic devices and batteries. ITA Airways reserves the right to take more restrictive measures for security reasons.
  • Some countries may have more restrictive rules.