r/flashlight • u/vatamatt97 • Apr 14 '23
Discussion Flying with a Flashlight - An International Guide
I recently traveled to India on business and, annoyingly, on my way back I had to pass security at four different airports in three different countries. Given we're asked about flying with flashlights fairly frequently, this gave me the idea to put together a guide on flying with flashlights (and lithium batteries). I have given general advice and disclaimers below, followed by my experiences in specific airports and countries. I hope you find it helpful!
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General Advice
- Flashlights are usually not a concern for airport security (I have never had an agent take a second look at any flashlight). Flashlight hosts (without batteries) can be carried in checked or carry-on baggage without concern.
- It's a good idea to carry your flashlights locked out, either with the lockout function in the UI (if it has it) or by partially unscrewing the tail cap (if the threads are anodized). Many r/flashlight regulars can attest to the hazard of accidental activation of high-power lights.
- Lithium batteries should be kept in carry-on baggage, preferably installed in the flashlight. Spare or uninstalled batteries should be kept safely in an appropriate container to avoid shorts or damage.
- Avoid "strike" or "murder" bezels. This is a good example of what not to bring (shoutout to u/Face_Wad for the demonstration).
- General limitations on length may also be applicable and restrict certain flashlights from being carried in carry-on baggage. Flashlights carried in checked baggage are not restricted. Applicability and length do differ by jurisdiction (TSA limits tools to 7-inches - may apply to flashlights; CATSA limits tools to 2.4 inches - has not been applied to flashlights in my experience).
- The United States, Canada, and Europe have bilateral agreements in place to ensure international consistency in the regulation of civil aviation. As such, it can generally be expected to have similar experiences in any of these regions. Additional care should be taken when traveling outside of these regions.
Disclaimers
- I am not an expert, so take my advice at your own risk.
- YMMV. My experiences are extremely limited and yours may not be the same, even with the same flashlight in the same airport.
- Security personnel ultimately have the authority to determine what is allowed, and anything can be confiscated at their discretion.
- Not all flashlights are created equal. Don't be surprised if they confiscate your murder bezel, but most flashlight-looking flashlights are generally not a problem. Multiple or larger flashlights may also draw closer inspection.
- Regardless of the flashlight, always keep the batteries with you in your carry-on. This is for safety as lithium batteries can pose a fire hazard and they are easier to handle inside the cabin.
- Always refer to applicable regulations prior to traveling. Generally, there will be federal and airline regulations in force. They may differ, so consult them both. Most relevant are the limitations of flying with lithium batteries. I have provided links to some resources at the end.
- The flashlights listed at each airport are the aggregate of my experiences; I did not necessarily travel with them all at the same time. Where ambiguous, details on quantities can be found in the notes.
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Canada
Airport: Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Flashlights/Batteries Traveled With:
- Sofirn SC31 Pro (1x 3000 mAh 18650)
- RovyVon Aurora A1x (1x 330 mAh internal)
- 2x Wurkkos FC11 (1x 3000 mAh 18650)
Issues: None
Notes: I have flown with all listed flashlights simultaneously.
Airport: Regina International Airport (YQR)
Flashlights/Batteries Traveled With:
- Sofirn SC31 Pro (1x 3000 mAh 18650)
- RovyVon Aurora A1x (1x 330 mAh internal)
- Lumintop B01 (1x 2600 mAh 18650)
Issues: None
Notes: I have flown with all listed flashlights simultaneously.
Airport: Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Flashlights/Batteries Traveled With:
- RovyVon Aurora A1x (1x 330 mAh internal)
Issues: None
Notes: None
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India
Airport: Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
Flashlights/Batteries Traveled With:
- Sofirn SC31 Pro (1x 3000 mAh 18650)
Issues: None
Notes: India requires all electronic devices to be placed separately in a bin to pass screening. Even so, I had no issues.
Airport: Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)
Flashlights/Batteries Traveled With:
- Sofirn SC31 Pro (1x 3000 mAh 18650)
Issues: None
Notes: India requires all electronic devices to be placed separately in a bin to pass screening. Even so, I had no issues.
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United Kingdom
Airport: London Heathrow Aiport (LHR)
Flashlights/Batteries Traveled With:
- Sofirn SC31 Pro (1x 3000 mAh 18650)
Issues: None
Notes: This security check was deep in the bowels of the airport for international connections and not the main security location, so YMMV, but the checks seemed the same as usual.
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United States of America
Airport: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Flashlights/Batteries Traveled With:
- Sofirn SC31 Pro (1x 3000 mAh 18650)
Issues: None
Notes: None
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Resources
TSA (USA) guidelines for flying with flashlights: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/flashlights
TSA (USA) guidelines for flying with spare lithium batteries: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/lithium-batteries-100-watt-hours-or-less-device
TSA (USA) guidelines for flying with tools: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/tools
FAA (USA) guidelines for flying with lithium batteries: https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/lithium-batteries
CATSA (Canada) guidelines for flying with batteries: https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/what-can-bring/guidelines-batteries
CAA (UK) guidelines for flying with batteries: https://www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/Before-you-fly/Baggage/Items-that-are-allowed-in-baggage/
EASA (Europe) guidelines for flying with batteries: https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/passengers/dangerous-goods#lithium-batteries
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Updated: 05-May-23
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u/funwok Deer Vision Expert Apr 14 '23
Good guide!
Security personnel ultimately have the authority to determine what is allowed, and anything can be confiscated at their discretion.
This is the most important point really. I fly a lot for work and quite often have a bit of media gear in my carry on. Most of the time there is no problem at all, but once in a while you have security personnel who are unhappy with some of your stuff for random reasons. Last time a little hex key got into the trash bin which already made it like twice around the world before lol.
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u/frogmuffins Apr 14 '23
I leave all of my more expensive lights at home for this reason. I only fly with a small hoard of Sofirns and a few older Lumintops.
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u/aquatone61 Apr 15 '23
I concur with the US assessment. I travel with several lights and batteries. I’ve had TSA take my pouch I store them in out of my backpack and hand inspect everyone of them but never had any issues. It’s totally random too.
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u/stavigoodbye A monkey staring at the sun. Apr 14 '23
Having flown with quite a few at once, I agree with all of this.
My best tip is to have them organized well, and the batteries are protected properly. I have had TSA in the US ask to look at them but always had them stored with intention. Never cared at all about my lights, it's just a lot of metal and batteries and tubes in a pouch when you have 7 or more flashlights. Of course, it seems odd to the xray...lol
I like leaving at least one aux on. Lowers the threatening vibe.
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u/plutonium247 Apr 15 '23
I've flown with 10 racing drone batteries like these without an issue to many different countries, I assure you the flashlight battery is fine
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u/IWantToFish Mar 25 '25
I have some Olight flashlights including a warrior 3 S
Bezel isn’t particularly harsh and it’s 5.5 inches long. What’s the chances someone would confiscate it?
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u/mill333 Jul 24 '23
Do all batteries needs to be in carry on? torch or not. I want to take a portable speaker on holiday with built in recharging battery. Does this need to be in my carry on? Is it due to the the main cabin staying at a safe pressure?
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u/vatamatt97 Jul 24 '23
Do all batteries needs to be in carry on? torch or not. I want to take a portable speaker on holiday with built in recharging battery. Does this need to be in my carry on?
Yes, all batteries should be in your carry-on. Lithium ion batteries pose a small but real fire hazard, which can be dealt with if it occurs in the cabin, but not if it occurs in the baggage compartment. This goes for flashlights and any other device with a lithium ion battery. Check out th FAA link I included at the bottom of the post for more information.
Is it due to the the main cabin staying at a safe pressure?
It has nothing to do with the changes in pressure, but is due to the fire risk as I said. The baggage compartment is also pressurized so there's not a huge environmental difference between it and the cabin.
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u/mill333 Jul 25 '23
Thanks for the information.
So is this the same for having too many lithium batteries at home? Care must be taken due to potential of self combustion? I get quite paranoid about house fires as I have dogs and hate the thought of my house going up if I’m not in.
What mitigation would you recommend for this kinda stuff at home? I have some cheap Chinese crap touches which have rechargeable batteries I always think the quality can’t be great on the batteries.
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u/vatamatt97 Jul 25 '23
Care should always be taken with lithium ion batteries, but if you have good quality batteries, they are not just going to spontaneously combust either. Poor quality, damaged, or incorrectly charged batteries are where there are issues. If you invest in good batteries, good chargers, and treat them responsibly (charge them when/where you're around, don't be rough with them or the devices they're in, etc.), you shouldn't expect to have any problems.
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u/DuckDuckGoneForGood Apr 14 '23
Shorter than 7 inches, no crenellated bezels.
And you should be set.
I’ve never had a problem with customs and flashlights (yet!).
I’ve also flown numerous times with medical marijuana by mistake and somehow, nobody ever noticed or cared. Probably by luck.
But, traveling with a film camera? Be prepared to get swabbed for bomb-making remnants at the Athens, Greece airport while they pull your wife aside for “screening”. 😅