Do I have to declare spare (loose) lithium batteries at United States customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare spare (loose) lithium batteries in United States?

Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.

Can I post or ship spare (loose) lithium batteries to United States instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take spare (loose) lithium batteries out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking spare (loose) lithium batteries out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Can I carry spare (loose) lithium batteries in the cabin or in checked baggage?

In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Prohibited. The carriage limit is 100.0000 Wh / 2.0000 g lithium. This comes from International baseline, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.

Does the United States limit for spare (loose) lithium batteries apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in What Can I Bring? Complete List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does United States compare with other countries on spare (loose) lithium batteries?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit spare (loose) lithium batteries, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Spare (loose) lithium batteries can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Spare (loose) lithium batteries into United States only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

International baseline

On person Not stated

Cabin baggage Allowed with conditions

Checked baggage Prohibited

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
American Airlines	More permissive
All Nippon Airways	Stricter than the standard rule
British Airways	Stricter than the standard rule
Delta Air Lines	Stricter than the standard rule
easyJet	More permissive
Japan Airlines	More permissive
Korean Air	Stricter than the standard rule
Ryanair	Stricter than the standard rule
Turkish Airlines	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

What Can I Bring? Complete List Transportation Security Administration

Questions about Spare (loose) lithium batteries in United States

Do I have to declare spare (loose) lithium batteries at United States customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare spare (loose) lithium batteries in United States?: Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
Can I post or ship spare (loose) lithium batteries to United States instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take spare (loose) lithium batteries out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking spare (loose) lithium batteries out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Can I carry spare (loose) lithium batteries in the cabin or in checked baggage?: In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Prohibited. The carriage limit is 100.0000 Wh / 2.0000 g lithium. This comes from International baseline, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.
Does the United States limit for spare (loose) lithium batteries apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in What Can I Bring? Complete List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does United States compare with other countries on spare (loose) lithium batteries?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit spare (loose) lithium batteries, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs Medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators Mobile phone Personal mobility devices (hoverboard, e-scooter, self-balancing wheel, e-bike) Portable electronic devices with installed battery Power bank