Meta Description: Learn if you can take a lithium (LiFePO4) battery on a plane—TSA rules, FAA guidelines, JM’s air-safe models, how to get airline approval, and avoid confiscation (plus how lithium stacks up against lead-acid).
In the 15th post of JM Energy’s Lithium Battery Series, we’re answering a question we hear nonstop from travelers shopping jmbatteries.com: Can I bring a lithium (lithium iron phosphate, LiFePO4) battery in my carry-on or checked bag? The rules are clear—only carry-on works. Checked bags are a hard no—but you have to stick to capacity limits. Here’s why: Checked luggage bans exist because lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if crushed or shorted (a bigger risk with cheap cobalt-based batteries, not JM’s LiFePO4).
This article breaks down what U.S. travelers need to know: TSA and FAA rules (including the specifics from FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-109), which JM LiFePO4 batteries work for flights (think 25.6V Moveable Solar Packs or 12.8V Low-Voltage Models), and real stories from JM customers who’ve traveled with these batteries hassle-free. We’ll also compare lithium to lead-acid (spoiler: lead-acid is too heavy for U.S. airline limits) and share simple tips—like insulating terminals or nailing airline approval—to keep your trip smooth. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to travel with your JM battery, whether you’re heading camping, on a work trip, or to a humanitarian project.
First things first: The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) both ban lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage. No exceptions. Why? If a battery gets crushed in the cargo hold or its terminals touch metal (like keys), it could start a fire—and cargo holds are harder to reach to put fires out.
The good news? Compliant lithium batteries are allowed in carry-on—and JM’s LiFePO4 models are perfect for this. Their stable crystal structure means they won’t overheat, even if they bounce around in your bag. The catch? Capacity matters. Here’s how JM’s lineup fits U.S. airline rules (specs straight from jmbatteries.com):
| Capacity Tier (Wh) |
What U.S. Airlines Allow |
JM LiFePO4 Models (and What You’ll Use Them For) |
| < 100Wh |
No airline approval needed—bring 1–2 per person (TSA’s standard limit) |
12.8V 30Wh–96Wh (charging phones/laptops); 25.6V 50Wh–80Wh (camping lights/mini-fridges) |
| 100Wh – 160Wh |
You’ll need airline approval (submit 3–7 days early)—max 2 per person |
25.6V 102.4Wh (RV fridges); 48V 120Wh (pro gear: DSLRs, drones) |
| > 160Wh |
Banned from both carry-on and checked—ship via ground (like UPS/FedEx) |
48V 200Wh+ Rack-Mounted Packs (home solar—not for flying) |
JM Travel Perk: Every air-safe JM battery has a QR code on the label. Scan it, and you’ll get UN38.3 test reports (required for approval), pre-filled airline forms, and a TSA checklist—no need to email support for docs.
If you’re flying out of a U.S. airport, these are the rules you can’t ignore. JM’s batteries meet all of them—but you still need to follow the steps to avoid delays:
The TSA is the first stop, and their rules are straightforward:
- No checked batteries: Even a tiny 30Wh JM pack will get seized if it’s in your checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on.
- Show the label: TSA agents might ask to see the battery’s capacity (JM prints this clearly—e.g., “25.6V 3.125Ah = 80Wh”). Have it visible, and you’ll breeze through.
- Insulate terminals: If your battery has exposed metal contacts (most JM models don’t, but spares might), cover them with electrical tape or JM’s included sleeves. TSA hates short-circuit risks.
The FAA follows IATA (International Air Transport Association) rules but adds extra steps for U.S. flights (from Advisory Circular AC 120-109):
- Hard cases only: JM ships travel batteries in fire-retardant hard shells (like the 25.6V Moveable Solar Battery’s case). Don’t toss loose batteries in a backpack pocket—TSA might flag them.
- Spare cells: If you’re bringing spare cells (for small devices), use JM’s $15 FAA-approved storage kit (sold on jmbatteries.com). It keeps cells insulated and organized.
- Approval for 100–160Wh: For bigger batteries (like JM’s 25.6V 102.4Wh), email your airline 3–7 days early. Include JM’s UN38.3 report (proves it passed drop, pressure, and temperature tests) and the battery’s specs.
Official Links:
If you’re flying abroad (say, from Miami to Madrid), IATA rules keep things consistent:
- Airlines can’t say no: If your JM battery is <100Wh or has approval for 100–160Wh, IATA requires airlines to let you bring it (most cap at 2 per person).
- Emergency docs: JM includes a “thermal runaway guide” with 100–160Wh batteries. It tells flight crews what to do if something goes wrong—and it speeds up screening in foreign airports.
These aren’t made-up—they’re from real U.S. customers who used JM batteries on flights. We added details to show how easy it can be:
Who: Mark, a wildlife photographer from Denver, heading to the Masai Mara for 3 weeks. He needed power for his Canon R5 and DJI drone—no grid access there.What he brought: JM’s 25.6V 80Wh Moveable Solar Battery (<100Wh, no approval needed) + a 100W portable solar panel (https://jmbatteries.com/products/100w-portable-solar-panel).How it went:Mark packed the battery in his camera bag (carry-on) and kept the original box (so TSA could see the 80Wh label). At Denver International Airport, a TSA agent checked the label for 10 seconds and waved him through. In Kenya, he charged the battery in 5 hours of sunlight—enough to shoot 4 hours of footage and fly his drone twice a day. He still had 30% left each night.What he said: “My old lead-acid pack weighed 22 lbs (10kg)—this JM one is just 7.7 lbs (3.5kg). It fit next to my lenses, and I never worried about power. TSA was a non-issue.”
Who: A U.K.-based NGO with a Chicago office, sending 4 batteries to power a school in Arusha (120 students, no electricity).What they brought: JM’s 25.6V 102.4Wh Moveable Solar Batteries (100–160Wh, needed approval).How it went:The team used JM’s travel support to fill out Delta’s approval form. They attached the UN38.3 report and sent it 5 days early—Delta approved it in 48 hours. They split the batteries between two carry-ons (2 each) and used JM’s sleeves to insulate terminals. At O’Hare Airport, TSA checked the approval email and let them board.What their logistics lead said: “We were stressed about missing the flight, but JM’s team walked us through every step. The batteries now power the school’s lights and water pump—total game-changer for the kids.”
Who: Sarah, a remote worker from Boston, flying TAP Air Portugal to Lisbon. She forgot to get approval for her 102.4Wh JM Battery (needed for her laptop).The problem: At Boston Logan, TAP staff said no approval = no boarding. She panicked—her work trip was on the line.JM’s help: Sarah emailed JM’s 24/7 travel support (travel@jmenergytech.com) from the airport. In 30 minutes, they sent TAP’s approval link, a pre-filled form, and the UN38.3 report. TAP approved it an hour later, and she made her flight.What she said: “I thought I’d have to reschedule. JM’s support saved my trip. Now I set a 7-day reminder for approval—they even follow up to make sure I sent it.”
Even if your battery is compliant, small mistakes can get it seized. Here’s what to skip:
- Putting it in checked luggage: TSA doesn’t care if it’s a 30Wh pack—if it’s in checked, it’s gone. Keep it in carry-on.
- Waiting too long for approval: For 100–160Wh batteries, don’t wait 2 days before your flight. Airlines need 3–7 days—use JM’s pre-filled forms to speed it up.
- Leaving terminals uncovered: Exposed contacts can short against keys or coins. Use JM’s sleeves or electrical tape—2 minutes of work, no TSA delays.
- Bringing too many: Stick to 1–2 batteries for <100Wh, 2 max for 100–160Wh. JM can ship extras to your destination (cheaper than $50–$100 overweight fees).
- Traveling with a damaged battery: If your JM battery is swollen or dented (super rare with LiFePO4), don’t bring it. Contact JM for a warranty replacement—they’ll ship it to you fast.
Wh = Voltage (V) × Ampere-hours (Ah). Both numbers are on the battery’s label (e.g., “12.8V 7.81Ah = 100Wh”). If you’re not sure, check the product page on jmbatteries.com or email support.
Yes, but only if:
- They’re <100Wh (JM’s 12.8V 5Ah cells = 64Wh work; 12.8V 10Ah = 128Wh don’t).
- You insulate them with JM’s cell sleeves.
- You bring no more than 2 spares.
Show them two things:
- JM’s UN38.3 report (scan the QR code or grab it here: https://jmbatteries.com/pages/un38-3-certifications).
- TSA’s lithium battery guide (link above)—most airlines will back down once they see official rules.
Nope—lead-acid is technically allowed in checked bags (if sealed) but not worth it:
- A 12V 100Ah lead-acid battery weighs 77 lbs (35kg)—way over most airlines’ 50-lb checked limit (you’ll pay $50–$100 extra).
- It loses 20% capacity per month—bad for long trips. JM’s 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 is 17.6 lbs (8kg) and keeps 90% capacity for 6 months.
