Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on traveling with M18 batteries and their chargers when flying. I've heard that M18 batteries with a capacity of 5.0 are usually fine for air travel, but anything above that might require prior approval. Has anyone had any experiences with airlines and whether they've faced any issues regarding battery transport? Additionally, I'd love tips on how to protect my batteries during transit and prevent losing them. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
No worries about losing your batteries—they're meant to be carried on. Just remember, you can't have any batteries in checked luggage due to safety restrictions. It's usually 100 watt hours max for carry-ons, so just follow those rules and everyone will be safer.
I recently flew with two 5.0 batteries and an inverter, kept everything in my carry-on in separate plastic bags. Had no issues. They did check them after scanning, but it was a quick process—about 30 seconds. Just be prepared for a closer inspection if anything looks suspicious through the scanner!
Yeah, anything that looks unusual often gets flagged for a personal check. I had an odd-shaped souvenir pulled out multiple times. If you know you’ll need to show something, try to pack it on top or in an accessible pocket!
You can bring batteries up to 100 Watt hours without any hassles; just make sure they go in your carry-on! M18 batteries of 5.0 size should be smooth sailing. Some airlines even allow batteries up to 160 watt hours, but that doesn't cover the larger 12 Ah packs.

True, it's vital to stick to the guidelines for battery transport. Remember that airlines want to keep things safe for everyone, so no batteries in checked bags!