The last packing decision should not happen while an airport employee is asking you to remove a battery from a suitcase. Separate power banks and liquids before you close the bag, and check the rules of the airline actually operating your flight.
This matters in 2026 because older battery checklists can describe different limits. At this review, Korean Air's current page allows up to two power banks per person in its stated conditions and prohibits their use and charging on board. Do not treat an old “five spare batteries” line as the power-bank rule. [1]
Quick answer
Keep permitted power banks out of checked baggage, make their capacity identifiable and follow the operating carrier's protection, storage and approval rules. For international cabin liquids, use containers of 100 ml or less that fit in the permitted one-litre transparent resealable bag. Check connections and exceptions separately; neither a purchase receipt nor a nearly empty large bottle overrides security rules. [1][2][3]
Start with the operating airline and every connection
Find the carrier operating each flight, not only the company whose name appears on the booking. Read its current restricted-item page and any itinerary-specific notice. A codeshare or connecting flight can involve more than one set of conditions.
Use the airline's actual categories. A power bank, a spare camera battery and a battery installed in a device may have different rules. Do not combine them under one remembered “lithium battery limit” without reading the relevant section. [1]
| Item | Packing question | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Power bank | Is its capacity allowed and clearly labeled? | Cabin carriage does not mean onboard use is allowed |
| Spare battery | What category and count apply? | It is not automatically the same allowance as a power bank |
| Shampoo, cream or toothpaste | Is the container within the cabin limit? | Container size matters, not just what remains inside |
| Sauce, paste or gel-like food | Does it fall under liquid/gel restrictions? | Food is not automatically exempt |
This table is a sorting tool, not a replacement for the airline and airport's complete rules. Ask about unusual equipment, medical devices or special needs before the travel day. [1][2]
Read the battery label before choosing the bag
Look for the watt-hour rating, written as Wh, and keep it legible. If a capacity cannot be verified, the carrier may refuse the battery. Do not remove the label or assume an online product listing is always an accepted substitute for the actual item. [1]
Korean Air's current policy lists up to two power banks of 100 Wh or less per person. Its above-100-to-160 Wh category requires airline approval and has combined-count conditions; above 160 Wh is not permitted under the listed passenger allowance. Check the exact configuration directly rather than assuming the same limit applies to every carrier. [1]
When a calculation is needed, use the manufacturer's relevant battery voltage and capacity. For example, 10,000 mAh at 3.7 V is 37 Wh. Do not automatically use a USB output voltage or assume every 10,000 mAh device has the same underlying label information.
Protect and keep the power bank accessible
Follow the carrier's short-circuit protection instructions, such as individually protecting terminals or using an appropriate separate bag. Do not place loose batteries together with metal items. A damaged, swollen or overheating battery is not something to pack and hope will pass inspection. [1]
Korean Air's current guidance also prohibits overhead-bin storage for these items and prohibits power-bank use and charging on board. Follow the crew's specific storage instructions. Permission to bring an item into the cabin is not permission to plug it in during the flight. [1]
If your cabin bag is checked at the gate, remove items that cannot go into checked baggage before handing it over. Tell staff you have a power bank and follow their directions. Keep the small battery pouch somewhere easy to reach rather than beneath every purchase in your bag.
Sort liquids by the container, not by the remaining amount
For international cabin baggage, Incheon's guidance uses containers of 100 ml or less within one one-litre transparent resealable bag per passenger. The bag must close properly. A 200 ml bottle with only 20 ml left is still a 200 ml container for this purpose. [2][3]
Include creams, gels and products such as toothpaste in the check rather than counting only drinks. Use suitable, clearly identifiable small containers and pack them so the bag can be removed for inspection when requested.
Do not overfill the bag and assume the zipper is a minor detail. Put suitable larger toiletries in checked baggage only when the airline permits them, and protect them from leakage. Flammable aerosols and other restricted goods need their own checks, not just the liquid-volume test. [2]
Check food, medicines and duty-free purchases separately
Incheon explicitly includes foods containing liquid or gel, such as sauces or pastes, in its restricted-item guidance. A supermarket gift can therefore need different packing from a dry snack. Airport security rules and the arrival country's food-import rules are separate requirements. [2]
For necessary medicine, baby food or another possible exception, check the airport and airline's specific instructions and documentation requirements. Do not assume the ordinary cosmetic-bag rule is the complete answer, and do not remove essential labels to make an item smaller.
Duty-free liquids and connecting-airport screening have additional conditions. Keep required sealed packaging and receipts where applicable and verify the transfer rules. A bag accepted at the first airport is not a universal promise of acceptance at every later checkpoint.
Do a final check before leaving your accommodation
Put the permitted power bank in its protected cabin location, confirm that checked luggage contains no prohibited spare batteries, and close the liquid bag. Keep items that may need inspection accessible.
Save the relevant airline page or confirmation for your own reference, but follow staff's lawful safety instructions. A screenshot of a policy is useful for a question, not a reason to conceal an item or argue past an unresolved safety concern.
Frequently asked questions
Can I carry a power bank because it is under 100 Wh?
Capacity is only one condition. The carrier's count limit, labeling, physical condition, protection and storage rules also matter. Check your operating airline and any connection. This guide's two-power-bank example is specifically based on Korean Air's current page. [1]
Does the same 100 ml liquid rule apply to every domestic flight?
Do not apply the international liquid rule blindly to domestic travel. Incheon's guidance distinguishes domestic and international handling, while dangerous-goods restrictions still apply. Check the actual itinerary, particularly if a domestic leg connects to an international one. [2]
Your next move
Open your operating airline's restricted-item page and read the label on each battery. Move permitted power banks into a protected, accessible cabin pouch, then check every liquid container before closing the suitcase.
Sources and scope notes
- Korean Air — Restricted items.
- Incheon International Airport — Restricted items.
- Incheon International Airport — Liquid and restricted-item FAQ.
Prepared from published public-agency, operator and specialist information. This guide does not claim a personally tested booking, purchase, journey or provider visit. Check current conditions before committing. The featured illustration is conceptual, not evidence of current stock, equipment, access or an official interface.