YES — Allowed in Carry-on Bags on United Airlines
Lithium-ion power banks / portable chargers are strictly prohibited in checked baggage because of the risk of thermal runaway and fire. They must be carried in the cabin.
Can you bring portable charger on United Airlines?
Quick Answer
Yes — Portable Charger is allowed in carry-on bags on United Airlines flights. Lithium-ion power banks / portable chargers are strictly prohibited in checked baggage because of the risk of thermal runaway and fire. They must be carried in the cabin.
Also known as: power bank, external battery, battery pack
What is portable charger?
Yes — Portable Charger is allowed in carry-on bags by TSA. Lithium-ion power banks / portable chargers are strictly prohibited in checked baggage because of the risk of thermal runaway and fire. They must be carried in the cabin.
Allowed In Cabin
Lithium-ion power banks / portable chargers are strictly prohibited in checked baggage because of the risk of thermal runaway and fire. They must be carried in the cabin.
Prohibited In Hold
Portable chargers contain lithium-ion batteries and are prohibited in checked baggage because they present a fire hazard in the cargo hold.
Airline & country baggage checker
Pick your airline or destination to see the limits that apply to Portable Charger.
FAA & United Airlines Regulation for Battery Devices
49 CFR § 175.10(a)(18) — FAA & Airline Policy
Under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) HazMat safety regulations (49 CFR § 175.10(a)(18)) and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, lithium-ion batteries powering portable charger are capped at 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery for standard carry-on. Spare batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require explicit airline approval. Uninstalled lithium batteries are strictly prohibited in checked cargo holds because cargo fires involving lithium chemistries cannot be easily extinguished in flight.
Security Checkpoint Screening Procedure
During security screening for portable charger, any device larger than a standard smartphone (such as laptops, tablets, or large camera equipment) must be removed from your carry-on luggage and placed in a dedicated screening bin with nothing underneath or on top. Power banks, spare lithium-ion batteries, and rechargeable devices must remain in your carry-on luggage and are strictly forbidden in checked baggage due to FAA cargo fire safety protocols. Turn off high-capacity battery units to prevent accidental activation during flight.
Step-by-Step Packing Guide for United Airlines Passengers
Verify battery specifications for portable charger. Spare lithium-ion batteries and external power banks must stay in carry-on luggage — they are prohibited in checked bags.
Ensure the portable charger power switch or heating element is fully off and safety-locked before placing it in your bag.
Protect exposed terminals on spare batteries by covering contacts with tape or storing them in individual plastic pouches.
Be prepared to remove large electronics (larger than a mobile phone) from your bag to lay them flat in a TSA screening tray.
Store delicate screens and components inside a padded sleeve to protect them from impact during boarding and overhead-bin loading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified travel information
This document has been reviewed and verified by our travel reference editors. All statuses, notes and guidelines are checked against live security feeds from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection).