Is it legal/allowed to put a laptop in checked baggage?
Feb 20, 2018, 12:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3
Is it legal/allowed to put a laptop in checked baggage?
Hello,
is it legal and allowed by United to put a laptop in checked baggage?
Obviously it may not be recommended given the risk of it being damaged or stolen, but I think it should be allowed, given the fact that it is not a "spare" lithium battery.
Is there any specific rule/regulation about laptops in checked baggage?
is it legal and allowed by United to put a laptop in checked baggage?
Obviously it may not be recommended given the risk of it being damaged or stolen, but I think it should be allowed, given the fact that it is not a "spare" lithium battery.
Is there any specific rule/regulation about laptops in checked baggage?
Feb 20, 2018, 12:34 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,357
Hello,
is it legal and allowed by United to put a laptop in checked baggage?
Obviously it may not be recommended given the risk of it being damaged or stolen, but I think it should be allowed, given the fact that it is not a "spare" lithium battery.
Is there any specific rule/regulation about laptops in checked baggage?
is it legal and allowed by United to put a laptop in checked baggage?
Obviously it may not be recommended given the risk of it being damaged or stolen, but I think it should be allowed, given the fact that it is not a "spare" lithium battery.
Is there any specific rule/regulation about laptops in checked baggage?
However, it's definitely not advisable for the reasons that you mention. UA's liability for the laptop isn't going to be nearly enough to cover the cost of replacement.
Feb 20, 2018, 7:45 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, BA Gold
Posts: 430
Reminds me of conversation I overheard at lost baggage:
Passenger: I really need my bag found asap. I have 20kgs of frozen meat in there
Agent: Frozen meat!!?? That's not a good idea.
Passenger: It was frozen very well. And there is no rule saying it's not allowed.
Agent: I didn't say it wasn't allowed. I said it wasn't a good idea....
Passenger: I really need my bag found asap. I have 20kgs of frozen meat in there
Agent: Frozen meat!!?? That's not a good idea.
Passenger: It was frozen very well. And there is no rule saying it's not allowed.
Agent: I didn't say it wasn't allowed. I said it wasn't a good idea....
Feb 20, 2018, 9:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,483
And remember that airline baggage policies generally do not cover damage / loss of electronics or such items.
Jan 8, 2020, 7:58 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,648
Hate to revive an old thread, but this isn't worthy of a new one...
I'm transporting a high end set of tools to OGG tomorrow, I assume its ok that the tools can go in the checked bag, but I should put the Li-ion batteries in my carry on bag, correct?
I'm transporting a high end set of tools to OGG tomorrow, I assume its ok that the tools can go in the checked bag, but I should put the Li-ion batteries in my carry on bag, correct?
Last edited by COSPILOT; Jan 8, 2020 at 8:09 am
Jan 8, 2020, 8:36 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,685
Jan 8, 2020, 8:37 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: National Executive Elite, Marriott Bonfire Titanium, Hilton Gold, United Premier Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 199
Reference (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...dangerous.html)
Lithium batteries
You can pack personal devices that have lithium batteries of less than 100-watt hours in your checked and carry-on bags. However, we don’t allow devices like e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers in checked bags.
You can’t pack loose lithium batteries in checked bags. For loose lithium batteries in carry-on bags, you must individually protect each one to prevent short circuiting. To do this, you can place each battery in original retail packaging, separate plastic bags or protective pouches. You can also insulate the batteries by taping over exposed terminals. Spare batteries can’t touch metal objects like coins, keys or jewelry. Take steps to prevent crushing, puncturing or putting pressure on the battery as well.
In most cases, you can pack up to two larger lithium batteries (more than 100-watt hours, but not more than 160-watt hours) in carry-on bags if the terminals are properly covered or insulated. If you’re traveling with a battery-operated mobility device, please see our page about special travel needs.
If you check your carry-on bag at the gate, you must remove any lithium batteries and power banks.
For the most up-to-date information about lithium batteries, visit the DOT's Air Travel Tips page and the FAA's website.
Traveling to or from Japan
The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has some additional restrictions on batteries and battery-operated items. For more information, see the MLIT website.
You can pack personal devices that have lithium batteries of less than 100-watt hours in your checked and carry-on bags. However, we don’t allow devices like e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers in checked bags.
You can’t pack loose lithium batteries in checked bags. For loose lithium batteries in carry-on bags, you must individually protect each one to prevent short circuiting. To do this, you can place each battery in original retail packaging, separate plastic bags or protective pouches. You can also insulate the batteries by taping over exposed terminals. Spare batteries can’t touch metal objects like coins, keys or jewelry. Take steps to prevent crushing, puncturing or putting pressure on the battery as well.
In most cases, you can pack up to two larger lithium batteries (more than 100-watt hours, but not more than 160-watt hours) in carry-on bags if the terminals are properly covered or insulated. If you’re traveling with a battery-operated mobility device, please see our page about special travel needs.
If you check your carry-on bag at the gate, you must remove any lithium batteries and power banks.
For the most up-to-date information about lithium batteries, visit the DOT's Air Travel Tips page and the FAA's website.
Traveling to or from Japan
The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has some additional restrictions on batteries and battery-operated items. For more information, see the MLIT website.
Jan 8, 2020, 8:45 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,648
Correct, tools can go in checked bag, lithium batteries in carry-on and any terminals protected from contacting other things (coins, other batteries, metal, etc.). Liability in case of loss/damage is reduced or nil as they fall under the electronics and/or tools categories of "high-value", fragile, and perishable items (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...e/fragile.html), so if they must travel I would ensure they are packed in something robust like a pelican case. (I travel with weird stuff all the time)
Reference (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...dangerous.html)
Reference (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...dangerous.html)
Not worried about the tools themselves, about the only way they can get damaged would be someone running over them with a large truck. They are more durable than a Pelican case.
I only know because I once shipped the Pelican case via fedex and it arrived with a large 20" crack in it. It was sub zero temps when I shipped it, so maybe Pelican cases prefer warmer climates.
Jan 8, 2020, 10:17 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,783
I ship tool kits all the time and use FedEx when I can due to the ineptness of the federal lingerie inspectors aka (thousands standing around).
Opening, unwrapping, dumping out of items marked fragile, and on numerous occasions not returning everything back into the cases.
Opening, unwrapping, dumping out of items marked fragile, and on numerous occasions not returning everything back into the cases.
Jan 8, 2020, 11:38 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
I ship tool kits all the time and use FedEx when I can due to the ineptness of the federal lingerie inspectors aka (thousands standing around).
Opening, unwrapping, dumping out of items marked fragile, and on numerous occasions not returning everything back into the cases.
Opening, unwrapping, dumping out of items marked fragile, and on numerous occasions not returning everything back into the cases.
This is what we do and generally we have better results than checking them as baggage. Much less breakage (Mainly the pelican case handles and corners) and MUCH better tracking info, plus wide variety of pickup options.
Jan 8, 2020, 2:56 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Alaska Gold 75k, Marriott Amb
Posts: 66
I the past, I did many trips where our demo system (Usually 3 laptops) was either in a road case or a well packed bag (a bunch of foam surrounds) plus a bunch of other stuff. If you pack them right they can handle most situations - i say the soft version fall off a baggage cart once - luckily good packing meant it was ok. This was before the realization that’s li-on batteries are a fire hazard. We’d always put cabling and other things like black curtains for a booth on the outside of the bag. The worst thing that happened was a couple of devices (like powerbars) breaking.
Having said that, would i do it with my own laptop? Hell no
/iain
Having said that, would i do it with my own laptop? Hell no
/iain
Jan 8, 2020, 7:47 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: United Mileage Plus - 1K
Posts: 113
I ship tool kits all the time and use FedEx when I can due to the ineptness of the federal lingerie inspectors aka (thousands standing around).
Opening, unwrapping, dumping out of items marked fragile, and on numerous occasions not returning everything back into the cases.
Opening, unwrapping, dumping out of items marked fragile, and on numerous occasions not returning everything back into the cases.
*It's only been delayed once due to IRROPS.
Jan 8, 2020, 7:57 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: United Mileage Plus - 1K
Posts: 113
Most pelicans are rated -40f to 210f, this is model dependent but a good reference.
