You have to be kidding me. Looks like our wonderful DOT wants us to hand carry our 'extra batteries' in our carry on luggage, and not in our checked baggage. Uh yeah. Like that is going to happen, since I have to fly overseas often and have limited carryon allowances. Starting January 1st, 2008, you can no longer pack loose lithium batteries into your checked luggage on flights. If your battery is attached to a device you are okay. Read on for your enjoyment.

The new TSA policy on extra lithium batteries

[update Jan 1, 2008]

It appears that the TSA has issued a clarifiction on the rules. Here is a link to read:

Safe Travel with Batteries and Devices

"Effective January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will no longer allow loose lithium batteries in checked baggage. These batteries may continue to be packed in carry-on baggage. Under the new DOT rule, lithium batteries are allowed in checked baggage under one of the following conditions:

• The batteries must be in their original containers.
• The battery terminals must not exposed (for example placing tape over the ends of the batteries).
• The batteries are installed in a device.
• The batteries are enclosed by themselves in a plastic bag.

Loose lithium batteries found in checked baggage may be removed." [update Jan 4, 2008]

Safe Travel

"

Effective January 1, 2008, the following rules apply to the spare lithium batteries you carry with you in case the battery in a device runs low:

• Spare batteries are the batteries you carry separately from the devices they power. When batteries are installed in a device, they are not considered spare batteries.
• You may not pack a spare lithium battery in your checked baggage
• You may bring spare lithium batteries with you in carry-on baggage – see our spare battery tips and how-to sections to find out how to pack spare batteries safely!
• Even though we recommend carrying your devices with you in carry-on baggage as well, if you must bring one in checked baggage, you may check it with the batteries installed.

The following quantity limits apply to both your spare and installed batteries. The limits are expressed in grams of “equivalent lithium content.” 8 grams of equivalent lithium content is approximately 100 watt-hours. 25 grams is approximately 300 watt-hours:

• Under the new rules, you can bring batteries with up to 8-gram equivalent lithium content. All lithium ion batteries in cell phones are below 8 gram equivalent lithium content. Nearly all laptop computers also are below this quantity threshold.
• You can also bring up to two spare batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of up to 25 grams, in addition to any batteries that fall below the 8-gram threshold. Examples of two types of lithium ion batteries with equivalent lithium content over 8 grams but below 25 are shown below.
• For a lithium metal battery, whether installed in a device or carried as a spare, the limit on lithium content is 2 grams of lithium metal per battery.
• Almost all consumer-type lithium metal batteries are below 2 grams of lithium metal. But if you are unsure, contact the manufacturer!"