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Battery Regulations
How does this affect you?
Your Dionic 90 and IDX E10, E80, E7 batteries, etc (and those smaller and with shorter runtimes, like NP& NPF) are all made with less than 8 grams of Lithium per unit and are in compliance with section A45-2 (pasted below) of the Hazardous Substance Standards of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and the IATA (International Air Transport Association). The FAA is now enforcing a ban on NON-rechargable Lithium batteries as cargo on passenger flights as of Dec 29th. The RSPA will continue to study the safety of cargo shipments of rechargeable (Lithium Ion) batteries on passenger flights. There is rumor of a further ruling come October.
As added safety to that ban, your Lithium Ion batteries are affected in that the TSA is not supposed to allow them to be packed in your checked luggage. Some posts state that they will allow them to be checked if “packed” properly. It is possible, but not the directive of the TSA, so err on the side of caution and don’t plan on it. You are allowed to carry a battery on your camera as well as batteries in a carry on bag. According to TSA, you may carry up to 12, which is their shipping limit, but that seems impractical for most and probably pushing the envelope of most screeners’ comfort levels. You are advised to pack them individually inside the carry-on (if possible, in their original cartons, which is also impractical) or, at the very least, to cover the contacts with gaffer tape. Wrapping each battery in thin bubble wrap or neoprene/chamois/swag t-shirts is a good idea.
Later this year, the number of spare batteries you can carry with you may be limited to two beyond the one on the camera, as the RSPA and FAA are expected to rule on their further studies. Technically, this is not the case with the current enforcement. Screeners are directed to prevent any loose lithium batteries from being checked into the luggage area. You will be at the mercy of your TSA screener in explanation of what batteries you have and why you are carrying them. Sscreeners have been instructed to use their best judgment when it comes to professionals and their equipment. Some will use good judgment. Some will stick to the letter of the directive and not listen to any pleas. Again, the best advice is to err on the side of caution whenever you can and phone ahead. Also, it is not a bad idea to learn more about local rental houses in the areas you are traveling to. Batteries are fairly inexpensive to rent. Probably cheaper than FedEx charges, depending on the duration of your shoot.
You can pack a single battery in your other gear inside checked luggage, ie: Firestore battery, transmitter battery, etc. You are technically not allowed to pack spares to them in your checked baggage.
Read this PDF from IDX regarding the transportation of their batteries. Please print it out and keep it in your battery bag. The last page of Anton Bauer’s Dionic 90 instruction booklet is also a Transportation Notice. It is a handy size for laminating, if you still have the booklet. You can also print out a copy from their website. http://www.antonbauer.com/trans_notice_dionic90.htm
Read up-to-date info.
Read a PDF released by the FAA regarding "carry on" battery regulations.
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