Can You Put Laptop Charger In Checked Luggage? [Top 7+ Tips]

Can you put laptop charger in checked luggage? One of the most essential tools of the digital age — for work, play, and communication—is the modern laptop. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the rules of what is and isn’t allowed in your check-in luggage for frequent travelers to avoid hassle or potential safety issues.

Carrying all your cables and chargers in a handy bag can be something of a burden. Lucky for you, I will discuss applied rules and considerations, along with providing alternatives and recommendations to stay charged during your flight.

What are Airline Regulations?

It is not a secret that every traveler must have experience with what they may have in their checked bags. These restrictions ensure the safety of the crew, the passengers, and the aircraft.

Without any shadow of a doubt, these rules can change depending on the country you’re traveling from or to as well as the used airline.

While some things — such as explosives, inflammable materials, and firearms — are never on the list to be checked with other items, others may be subject to specific limitations set by different airlines. Such things can include liquids, electronic devices, and sharp objects.

What about laptop chargers? Well, that depends on the charger you are using. Let’s look at that deeper.

Concerns Related to Lithium-ion Battery

I assure you that the main reason why most laptop chargers are forbidden in checked baggage is due to the existence of lithium-ion batteries. This is stated by The Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration.

These types of batteries could catch fire hazard, particularly if they get damaged, shorted out, or are left in harsh environments.

Therefore, aviation agencies put strict controls in place to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. Because of restricted access to firefighting supplies, it can be difficult to put out in an aircraft’s cargo hold.

But that is not all! Certain airlines might even impose extra constraints or specifications, like caps on the quantity or size of batteries that can be carried in carry-on bags.

I personally adviseyou to check the policies of their airline before packing electronic devices and accessories to prevent any problems or delays at the airport.

Permitted Chargers

Don’t rush to conclusions, reading just the above rules. If your laptop charger is without built-in batteries, then you are allowed to bring a laptop on airplanes.

Since there is no fire risk, you can take these chargers in both your carry-on bag and your checked baggage. They are, actually, classified as personal electronic devices.

But I recommend making sure these chargers are packed securely beforehand to avoid any damage occurrences during transportation.

Safety Precautions

I perfectly understand that it is more convenient to keep laptop chargers in a carry-on bag than in checked baggage, but safety is the main consideration here. Carrying laptop chargers with you on a plane allows airline staff to respond to battery-related emergencies faster and more efficiently.

Any possible battery-related problems, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire hazards, may be quickly handled in the cramped cabin of the airplane.

Flight attendants and crew members have instant access to emergency procedures and firefighting equipment to successfully control and reduce the crisis.

Additionally, having laptop chargers in the cabin makes it possible to monitor and surveil passengers more effectively during the journey. Flight attendants can closely monitor electronic devices and chargers to make sure that they are being used appropriately and do not show any warning indicators.

On top of that, ensure that the laptop stays turned off and monitor so that it won’t inadvertently turn on.

I believe that the entire safety and security measures on board the airplane are improved by this proactive approach.

Potential Consequences

I am 100% sure that some of you may have thought to bring a laptop charger in checked baggage for the sake of convenience. But believe me, doing so may have significant consequences.

Your laptop charger may be seized by airport security, causing the traveler inconvenience and maybe delays. This can lead to the loss of a priceless gadget and cause travel arrangements to be thrown off, especially if the trusty laptop charger is required for business or personal use while traveling.

Consequences for non-compliance can differ from monetary fines to more harsh punishments, such as being excluded from future flights or facing legal action.

Recurring infractions of airline policies may also put passengers on a watchlist or make them more scrutinized when they fly in the future.

My friend was lucky with it. Noticing the device with a battery in his checked baggage, they asked him to come to a certain counter and unpack his luggage. But don’t count on that, the type of punishment still depends on the airline.

Alternatives and Recommendations

To guarantee adherence to airline laws and prevent any possible complications, take into account the following options:

Stow your laptop charger along with any additional electronic devices, along with extra batteries, in your carry-on bag.

Make sure you are aware of the airline’s specific restrictions before your trip regarding the carrying of electronics and lithium-ion batteries. There can be further rules or limitations for some carriers.

Have a universal adapter or converter with you that can fit into several kinds of power outlets. From my own experience, having a low battery on your phone and realizing that your charger does not fit into the power outlet can disappoint you at an inappropriate time.

Bits of Advice to Extend the Battery Life

I think reducing the brightness of your device’s screen is common sense among all travelers. It can help save a lot of battery, particularly on lengthy flights or when there aren’t any charging outlets around.

The majority of electronic devices come with a function or power-saving mode that optimizes settings to use less energy.

Removing unnecessary apps and background programs can help save power and enhance the functionality of your device.

Buy portable power banks that abide by flight requirements. They are useful for quickly charging computers and other electronics. My every travel is saved thanks to these devices.

Besides that, the majority of airplanes come with various types of USB ports, so you can charge your tiny electronic devices.

Does a laptop count as part of carry-on baggage?

Each passenger has the right to have one carry-on bag and one personal item, which could be a briefcase or laptop bag.

During my flight operated by Turkish Airlines, they allowed me to bring another bag with a laptop in addition to the main backpack.

Things to Do Before Packing Your Laptop In Checked Bag

Take these steps to protect your laptop before sending it in the checked bag to be sure it stays safe and secure. Make sure to do the following steps:

You need to back up all crucial information on your laptop – including documents, pictures, and movies – to keep them protected using an external hard drive, cloud storage services, or other backup techniques.

It can significantly help you out if your laptop is damaged or appears to be stolen.

Before packing your laptop, check the version of the operating system and ensure that the latest one is installed. Because updated versions include security patches and bugs, therefore they can help shield your laptop from online viruses.

Use a strong password to secure your laptop. If your laptop ends up in the wrong hands, this will provide an additional layer of security, so the thieves will not be able to reach your personal information.

Well-charged laptop in a checked bag lessens the need for you to plug it in while traveling and lets you use it for as long as possible.

You should put your laptop in a protective sleeve to prevent possible harm while transporting. Your laptop will be protected better from potential knocks, drops, and other impacts with a case.

Writing your contact details on a luggage tag and attaching it to your laptop case is never too much. This will help to identify your laptop and increase the chance of finding it if it is forgotten.

Examine the airline’s policies regarding the carrying of computers in checked baggage while planning your trip. It’s important to know about any special guidelines or limitations that some airlines may have before packing your laptop.

Items to Avoid Packing in Checked Baggage

Here is the list of several additional goods that I definitely suggest avoid being packed in a checked bag to reduce the possibility of loss and damage. Checked baggage may seem like a comfortable option for storing your belongings, but certain items are better suited for hand baggage.

Carry-on baggage is the ideal option to minimize theft of valuables such as jewelry, passports, identification, and pricey devices like cameras or tablets.

Glassware and sentimental keepsakes can break during handling in checked baggage because they could fall into other objects. They may move and collide with other fragile items during the handling process in checked baggage.

You should also include power banks and electronic cigarettes in your carry-on luggage due to safety reasons. Unfortunately, electronic cigarettes are not allowed in checked baggage because of lithium-ion batteries.

Is it allowed to carry multiple laptops in your carry-on baggage?

Both the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration state that it is allowed to carry multiple laptops in your carry-on baggage.

You need to consider practicality and space constraints. Clearly, carrying laptops takes up a significant amount of space in your carry-on bag and adds weight. Therefore, you need to pack everything efficiently and weigh the capacity of your bag.

Moreover, you will need to remove laptops from your bag and place them in a separate bin for screening, when passing through the security process. Therefore, having several laptops in your carry-on can require additional effort.

Are all electrical items required to be placed in carry-on baggage?

All electrical types of equipment don’t need to be stored in hand luggage. The restrictions on the shipment of electrical devices by airlines vary based on the type of gadget and its power source.

For example, compact electronic devices – tablets, phones, and cameras – can be brought on board in checked luggage. But I would recommend putting them in your handbag for ease and safety.

On the other hand, larger electrical equipment – hair dryers or electric shavers- are bigger and heavier, which is why they have to be stored in your checked baggage.

Besides, carry-on baggage rather than checked baggage is destined for products containing lithium batteries – power banks and portable chargers – to take quick action in case of an emergency. Because spare batteries have the potential to provide a risk of fire.

Conclusion

If you are still thinking, whether you can put a laptop charger in checked luggage, I assure you that the most practical option is to keep it in your handy bag.

The regulations set by diverse aviation authorities point to the possible hazards associated with spare lithium batteries. From my analysis, these requirements aim to improve passenger safety and streamline emergency response procedures in case of incidents.

While it may be convenient for some to place a laptop charger in checked luggage, it can lead to inconveniences such as confiscation by airport security, delays, or even legal consequences. To avoid these complications, be aware of the airline rules and suitably carry their electronic equipment.

Moreover, I offered practical alternatives and precautions to ensure a smooth travel experience. From using power-saving features on devices to investing in power banks, you have various options to stay powered up throughout your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions