Travel to Dubai: A list of prohibited and approved items at DXB; spare batteries and power banks not allowed for check-in

By Anju Last updated Mar 8, 2023

Tips to note for a smooth and safe journey ahead

Dubai: As the world’s busiest airport, Dubai International Airport provides certain guidelines about carrying spare batteries or power banks.

With the improved security measures, airlines must ensure the safety of passengers. So it is advised to pack power banks and batteries in your hand or carry-on baggage.

A travel handbook

For safe and smooth travel, DXB guides:

Put “loose” goods like your watch, wallet, cell phone, and other jewellery in your hand luggage.
Keep a laptop in a location that is simple to access. At the scan, you must put it in a different security tray.
Take off any metal buckles from your shoes or belt, and place them in the security tray.
In your hand luggage, put clear, resealable plastic bags containing liquid containers. Keep in mind that no liquid can be larger than 100ml. Medicine, baby food, and special dietary needs you’ll need to use throughout your trip will all be exempt.

Permissible and forbidden goods

Non-removable batteries in luggage with inbuilt lithium batteries: Batteries must only contain 0.3 g of lithium metal or 2.7 Wh of lithium-ion (Watt-hour). If you want to check bags, batteries must be taken out.
Gas cylinders that are non-flammable and non-toxic are worn to power artificial limbs. Furthermore, if necessary, spare cylinders of comparable size to provide a sufficient supply for the duration of the trip.
Up to one piece of hair styling equipment with a hydrocarbon gas cartridge is allowed per traveller or crew member as long as the safety cover is tightly fastened over the heating element. The use of hair-styling tools is prohibited inside the aeroplane. Spare gas cartridges are not permitted in carry-on or checked luggage.
Lithium Batteries: Portable electronic devices (PED) that use lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries include consumer gadgets like cameras, mobile phones, laptops, and tablets as well as medical devices like portable oxygen concentrators (POC). The lithium metal content of lithium-metal batteries must not be more than 2 g, and the Watt-hour rating of lithium-ion batteries must not be more than 100 Wh. Gadgets must be turned off and secured in checked luggage.
Electronics powered by lithium batteries: Lithium-ion batteries with a Wh rating greater than 100 Wh but not greater than 160 Wh are used in portable (including medical) electronics. Lithium metal batteries with a lithium metal concentration over 2g but fewer than 8g are only suitable for portable medical electronics. Gadgets must be turned off and secured in checked luggage to prevent damage.
Non- radioactive items, such as hair sprays, colognes, perfumes, and medications using alcohol; as well as non-flammable, non-toxic aerosols with no additional hazards.
Gaseous oxygen or air cylinders are necessary for medical applications. The cylinder’s gross weight cannot be greater than 5 kg. Liquid oxygen systems are prohibited.

List of permitted items only in carry-on baggage

Batteries for portable electronic devices, whether spare or loose, include lithium, non-spillable, nickel-metal hydride, and dry batteries. Power banks and other items with a primary use as a power source are regarded as spare batteries.
To avoid short circuits, these batteries must each be individually shielded. The amount of lithium metal cannot be greater than 2g. The maximum watt-hour capacity of lithium-ion batteries is 100Wh. There is a cap of 20 extra batteries per individual. Non-spillable batteries need to be 100 Wh or fewer and 12V or less in voltage. There can only be two spare batteries per individual.
Fuel cells that power portable electronics using fuel (e.g. cameras, cellular phones, laptop computers and camcorders).
Batteries found in e-cigarettes (as well as e-cigars, e-pipes, and other personal vaporizers) must be properly protected to avoid accidental activation.
Mobility aids using lithium-ion batteries, battery-powered wheelchairs, or other similar mobility devices when the design of the mobility aid does not adequately protect the batteries.

Permissible items only in checked-in luggage

Wheelchairs and other comparable battery-operated mobility aids with non-spillable wet batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, or dry batteries.
Wheelchairs powered by spill-proof or lithium-ion batteries, as well as other comparable mobility equipment.
One (1) mercury-containing thermometer, either medical or clinical, is allowed per person for personal use when it’s in its carrying case.

These instructions were approved and instructed very strictly at Dubai International Airport.