Packing Tips for Air Passenger
Provisions for Dangerous Goods Carried by Passenger and Crew
The following information is based on the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goodsby Air issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It covers some common items that areprohibited to be carried by air passengers and crew, and certain types of dangerous goods items that they
may carry aboard an aircraft and their related requirements.
Please note that the dangerous goods items permitted to be carried aboard an aircraft shall be for personaluse only, otherwise the passengers are forbidden to carry such items either as or in carry-on baggage,checked baggage or on their person.
Please also note that the carriage of certain items by passengers may require airline's consent. Individual
airlines may also have additional requirements on items that passengers may carry aboard an aircraft. If you
have any questions, please contact your airline for further information and confirmation before travel.
Guidelines on the carriage of alcohol-based liquid sanitizers, alcohol wipes, and hygienic antiseptics, etc.
can be found in Section (7) of this document.
(1)

Batteries – Portable Electronic Devices Containing Batteries
Watt-hour rating (Wh) = Rated capacity expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh) / 1000 x Nominal voltage (V)Item
1.1) Portable electronic devices containing lithium metal orlithium ion cells or batteries (such as watches, calculatingmachines, cameras, cellular phones, laptop/tablet computers,
camcorders, baggage tracking devices, etc)
- Each battery must not exceed the following:for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content of 2 g; or
for lithium ion batteries, a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh

Carry-onbaggage

Checkedbaggage✓✓

Airline’sconsent
required✘

✓✓

✓

✘

✘

N/A- If devices are carried in checked baggage:
measures must be taken to prevent unintentional
activation, to protect the devices from damage, and
the devices must be completely switched off (not in sleepor hibernation mode) if the batteries exceed:• for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content of 0.3 g; or• for lithium ion batteries, a Watt-hour rating of 2.7 Wh
1.2) Portable electronic devices containing lithium ion
batteries exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh but notexceeding 160 Wh- If devices are carried in checked baggage, measures must be
taken to prevent unintentional activation, to protect thedevices from damage, and the devices must be completely
switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode)
Portable electronic devices containing lithium ion batteries
exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 160 Wh are forbidden

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Item1.3) Portable electronic devices containing lithium metal orlithium ion cells or batteries capable of generating heat (suchas heat generating jacket)

Carry-onbaggage

Checkedbaggage✓✓- Batteries and heating elements must be isolated in portableelectronic devices by removal of the heating element, battery
or other components.
- Please see the “Spare Batteries” section below for carriage ofspare batteries removed from the portable electronic devices.

Airline’sconsentrequired✘(if ≤ Watthour rating of
100 Wh)✓(if > Watthour rating of
100 Wh but≤160 Wh)

Portable electronic devices containing lithium ion batteries
exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 160 Wh are forbidden✘✘

N/A1.4) Portable medical electronic devices containing lithiummetal cells or batteries not exceeding 2 g, or lithium ion cells
or batteries not exceeding 100 Wh, (e.g. Automated External
Defibrillators (AED), Nebulizer, Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure (CPAP), etc)
- Carried by passengers for medical use- Please see the “Spare Batteries” section below for carriage ofspare batteries for portable medical electronic devices.

✓✓✘1.5) Portable medical electronic devices containing lithium
metal batteries exceeding 2 g but not exceeding 8 g, or lithium
ion batteries exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh- Carried by passenger for medical use- Please see the “Spare Batteries” section below for carriage ofspare batteries for portable medical electronic devices.

✓✓✓1.6) Battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices (e.g.
e- cigarettes, e-cigs, e-cigars, e-pipes, personal vaporizers,
electronic nicotine delivery systems)

✓#

✘

✘

- if powered by lithium batteries, each battery must comply
with relevant restriction:
for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content must notexceed 2 g; or
for lithium ion batteries, a Watt-hour rating must notexceed 100 Wh;- Recharging of the devices and/or batteries on board theaircraft is forbidden- Measures must be taken to prevent unintentional activationof the heating element while on board the aircraft
The Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which imposes a ban on “Alternative SmokingProducts”, has come into operation on 30 April 2022. According to the Ordinance, passengers (other than transit
passengers at Hong Kong International Airport) are prohibited from carrying electronic smoking products into HongKong, regardless of the quantity or whether they are for personal use. Please refer to the website of Tobacco andAlcohol Control Office of Department of Health for details:
https://www.taco.gov.hk/t/english/legislation/legislation_asp.html#02-01-20242Item1.7) Equipment powered by non-spillable wet, nickel-metal
hydride, or dry batteries- Batteries and heating elements must be isolated in batterypowered equipment capable of generating extreme heat, byremoval of the heating element, battery or other components.
- The equipment must be either protected from unintentional
activation, or each battery must be disconnected and its
exposed terminals insulated.
1.8) Smart luggage- Baggage equipped with lithium batteries (whether removable
or non-removable) not exceeding the following:for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content of 0.3 g; orfor lithium ion batteries, a Watt-hour rating of 2.7 Wh.
- Baggage equipped with non-removable lithium batteries
exceeding the above restrictions.

Carry-onbaggage

Checkedbaggage

✓✓

✓

✓

✓

✘

Airline’sconsentrequired✘

See Note✓- Baggage equipped with lithium batteries exceeding the above
restrictions, and the batteries are removed. The removed (baggage)✓batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage (see also thesection for “Spare Batteries”).
(battery)✓(baggage)✘(battery)

Note :- Individual airlines may introduce additional requirements on
smart luggage. Passengers are advised to contact their airline
concerned before departure should they have any query about
the requirements and restrictions applicable to the carriage ofsmart luggage.

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3

(2)

Batteries – Spare Batteries
Watt-hour rating (Wh) = Rated capacity expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh) / 1000 x Nominal voltage (V)Item2.1) Spare lithium metal or lithium ion cells and batteries for
portable electronic devices
Articles which have the primary purpose as a power source, e.g.
power banks, are considered as spare batteries- Each battery must not exceed the following :for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content of 2 g; orfor lithium ion batteries, a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh- Must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (byplacement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating
terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing eachbattery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch)

Carry-onbaggage

Checkedbaggage

✓✘✓✘✓

✘

✘

N/A✓

✓

✘

Airline’sconsent
required✘See NoteNote- Please consult your airlines whether they have any additional
restrictions on the quantity of this type of spare lithium batteries tobe carried by passengers.
2.2) Spare lithium ion batteries exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100
Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh for portable electronic devices- No more than two individually protected spare batteries per person- Must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (byplacement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating
terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing eachbattery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch)Spare lithium ion batteries exceeding a Wh rating of 160 Wh are
forbidden2.3) Spare non-spillable wet, nickel-metal hydride, and drybatteries- In case of a non-spillable wet battery:•

Each battery must not exceed a voltage of 12 V and a Watthour rating of 100 Wh•Each battery must be protected from short circuit by theeffective insulation of exposed terminals•The battery must not contain any free or unabsorbed liquid.

•A maximum of two spare batteries may be carried per
passenger- In case of a dry battery or nickel-metal hydride battery:•Each battery must be protected from short circuit by theeffective insulation of exposed terminals

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(3)

Batteries – Battery-powered Mobility Aids (E.g. Wheelchairs)
Watt-hour rating (Wh) = Rated capacity expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh) / 1000 x Nominal voltage (V)Item

Carry-onbaggage

Checkedbaggage3.1) Battery-powered mobility aids (e.g. wheelchairs)(The following ICAO requirements have been adopted by airlines)

Please contact yourairline for detailed
arrangements

Airline’sconsent
required✓- For use by passengers whose mobility is restricted by either adisability, their health or age, or a temporary mobility problem (e.g.
broken leg)
- Passenger should make advance arrangements with each operator
and provide information on the type of battery installed and on thehandling of the mobility aid (including instructions on how to isolatethe battery)- In case of a spillable battery, nickel-metal hydride battery or drybattery:•

Measures must be taken to prevent short circuit (e.g. by theeffective insulation of exposed terminals) and unintentional
activation- In case of a non-spillable wet battery:•A maximum of one spare battery may be carried per
passenger•

Measures must be taken to prevent short circuit (e.g. by theeffective insulation of exposed terminals) and unintentional
activation•

The battery must not contain any free or unabsorbed liquid- In case of a lithium ion battery:•Each battery must be of a type which meets therequirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests andCriteria, Part III, subsection 38.3•

When the mobility aid does not provide adequate
protection to the battery:a. the battery must be removed in accordance with themanufacturer’s instructions
b. the removed battery must not exceed 300 Wh•

A maximum of one spare battery not exceeding 300 Wh or
two spare batteries not exceeding 160 Wh each may becarried•

The battery terminals of the removed and spare batteries
must be protected from short circuit (by insulating theterminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals)•The removed and spare batteries must be protected fromdamage (e.g. by placing each battery in a protective pouch)•The removed and spare batteries must be carried in thecabin

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(4)

Flames and Fuel Sources
Carry-onbaggage

Item

Checkedbaggage

Airline’sconsent
required✘

✘

✘

N/A

✘
(only onecarried on
the person
is allowed)

✘✘

✘

✘

N/A

✘
(only onecarried onthe personis allowed)
✘✘

✘

✘

N/A✓*

✓

✘

4.1) Cigarette Lighter (each passenger is permitted to carry only one
lighter, no matter it is powered by lithium batteries or liquefied gas)✘
- Small cigarette lighter(only one
• Shall not contain unabsorbed liquid fuel (other than liquefied carried on
the persongas)
is allowed)✘
Lighter fuel and lighter refills are forbidden- Battery-powered lighters (powered by lithium metal or lithium
ion battery)• Recharging of the device and/or battery on board the aircraft is

not permitted• Measures must be taken to prevent unintentional activation of

the heating element while on board the aircraft

Battery-powered lighters without a means of protection against
unintentional activation are forbidden
4.2) Matches- Small packet of safety matches• Only one is allowed per person‘Strike anywhere’ matches are forbidden
4.3) Alcoholic beverages* containing more than 24% but not morethan 70% alcohol by volume- Must be in retail packaging; and- No more than 5 litres (L) total net quantity per person*
Note: Alcoholic beverages containing not more than 24% alcohol byvolume are not subject to the above restrictions** If these items are to be carried in carry-on baggage or on one’s person, the quantity allowable to be carried is basedon the container volume of these items. Please note and observe the “Restrictions on carriage of Liquids, Gels, Aerosols(LAGs) in cabin baggage”, and click here to see the frequently asked questions about these restrictions.

(5)

Gas Cartridges / Cylinders

Item5.1) Cylinders of oxygen or air required for medical use

Carry-onbaggage

Checkedbaggage✓✓

Airline’sconsent
required✓- No more than 5 kg gross mass per cylinder- Cylinders, valves and regulators (where fitted) must be protectedfrom damage which could cause inadvertent release of thecontents- Advance arrangements recommended- The pilot-in-command must be informed of the number of oxygenor air cylinders loaded on board the aircraft and their loading
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Item
5.2) Cartridge of hydrocarbon gas contained in hair stylingequipment- No more than one per person- Safety cover must be securely fitted over the heating element
Gas refills for such curlers are forbidden
5.3) Cartridges of non-flammable and non-toxic gas fitted into aself- inflating personal safety device, such as a life-jacket or vest
- No more than two personal safety devices per person- No more than 2 cartridges installed in each device, and no morethan 2 spare cartridges per device- Ensure that the devices cannot be accidentally activated- Must be for inflation purposes
5.4) Small Non-flammable and non-toxic gas cartridges- No more than four small cartridges per person- Each cartridge must not exceed 50 ml(6)Checkedbaggage✓✓

Airline’sconsentrequired✘✘

✘

N/A✓

✓

✓✓

✓

✓

Carry-onbaggage

Checkedbaggage✘✓

Airline’sconsent
required✘

Carry-onbaggage

Checkedbaggage✓*✓

Airline’sconsent
required✘✘✘

N/AMercury

Item6.1) Medical or clinical thermometer which contains mercury- Only one is allowed per person- Must be in a protective case(7)

Carry-onbaggage

Other Dangerous Goods

Item7.1) Non-radioactive medicinal articles (including aerosols), toiletry
articles (including aerosols) such as hair sprays, dry shampoo,
perfumes, colognes, alcohol-based liquid sanitizers and hygienic
antiseptics, and other non-flammable and non-toxic aerosols- No more than 0.5 kilogrammes (kg) or 0.5 L total net quantity per
single article*- No more than 2 kg or 2 L total net quantity of all articles perperson* (e.g. four aerosol cans of 500 millilitres (ml) each)- Release valves on aerosols must be protected by a cap or othersuitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents*- Release of gas must not cause extreme annoyance or discomfort
to crew members so as to prevent the correct performance ofassigned duties- Sealed packets and articles containing less than 10 ml of alcohol
liquid absorbed into a solid material (such as alcohol wipes) andwithout free liquid in the packets or articles, can be carried incarry-on or checked baggage without restrictions
Flammable or toxic aerosols not for medicinal or toiletry purposes
are forbidden (e.g. household items not applied to the body suchas insecticide, etc.)
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7Carry-on
baggage

Checkedbaggage

7.2) Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)- No more than 2.5 kg per person- Used to pack perishables that are not dangerous goods- The package must permit the release of carbon dioxide gas- When carried in checked baggage, each package must bemarked:• as “DRY ICE” or “CARBON DIOXIDE, SOLID”; and• with the net weight of dry ice or an indication that the netweight is 2.5 kg or less✓✓Airline’s
consent
required✓7.3) Artist paints, oil-based paints, water-based paints, acrylic andnon-flammable paints *- Manufacturers may indicate on the packaging whether theproducts are flammable, toxic, corrosive or hazardous, consult
the manufacturers if in doubt

✓*

✓

✘

Flammable paint, gloss paint, aerosol paint, spray paint areforbidden✘✘

N/APaint thinners or turpentine substitute are forbidden

✘

✘

N/A

Item

* If these items are to be carried in carry-on baggage or on one’s person, the quantity allowable to be carried is basedon the container volume of these items. Please note and observe the “Restrictions on carriage of Liquids, Gels, Aerosols(LAGs) in cabin baggage”, and click here to see the frequently asked questions about these restrictions.

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Forbidden Items to be Carried on Board Aircraft
ItemFireworks
FlaresFlammable gas e.g. butane, propane, liquefied petroleum gas
Compressed gas cylinders
Ribbon spray
Fuels including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuelGasoline
Lighter fuel and lighter refills
Flammable paint, gloss paint, aerosol paint, spray paint
Flammable or toxic aerosols not for medicinal or toiletry purposes
Flammable adhesives
Paint Thinner
Flammable solid e.g. barbeque charcoal fire starters
Oxidizer e.g. bleach
Toxic and infectious substances e.g. mice killer, biologicalsubstances, biological productsRadioactive substances
Corrosive substances e.g. drain cleaner
Electro shock weapons

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Taking into account the requirements of individual countries (including the destinationand transit countries), airlines may impose additional restrictions on items thatpassengers may carry onboard aircraft. If you are not sure if an item can be taken onboardaircraft, please contact your airline before departure.

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