TSA AND FAA ADDRESS CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM ION BATTERIES
March 31, 2017
The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) issued a Bulletin on March 14, 2017 that requires all non-medical electronics larger than a cell phone to be checked in the cargo hold of the airplane. The restriction applies to direct flights from the following countries and airports to the United States: Queen Alia (Jordan), Cairo (Egypt), Ataturk (Turkey), King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia), King Khalid (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait (Kuwait), Mohammed V (Morocco), Hamad (Qatar), Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE).
Further, all checked passenger luggage on select flights arriving from the above airports will be screened by the TSA (via machine or canine) before being reunited with the passenger. Passengers with connecting flights will then reclaim their luggage for transfer to their connecting flights.
TSA’s new policy runs contrary to existing FAA and ICAO requirements for the safe transportation of lithium ion batteries. Following TSA’s Bulletin, the FAA’s New York Field Office on March 27, 2017 issued additional guidance regarding the safe stowage of lithium batteries on the affected flights. At a minimum, the guidance states that devices should be completely powered down; devices should be protected from damage during transport, including placement in some protective packaging or casing to prevent accidental activation; devices should be dispersed within the cargo hold; spare batteries are prohibited from checked baggage; passengers should be informed verbally to remove all batteries from their carry-on baggage when the carry-ons are checked pursuant to the TSA Bulletin; during ticket purchase and check-in, passengers must be informed that spare lithium batteries are prohibited from checked baggage; and additional personnel training may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).
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