Taking DSLR Overseas...

PSPDan

PSPDan

Suspended / Banned
Messages
244
Name
Dan
Edit My Images
Yes
Wasn't sure of the relevant place for this so please move if its wrong.

I'm flying to South African on South African Airways on Friday. I wanted to take my D750 but I've just read that you aren't allowed to take lithium batteries in either your hand luggage OR checked luggage.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Will I have to take it minus the battery and buy a new one over there?

Any help greatly appreciated.
 
Hi Dan,

I cannot offer you any confirmed yes you can or no you can't answers I'm afraid, i am however intrigued as presumably you and many other people will be travelling with mobile phones which unless I'm mistaken, contain lithium batteries!
 
Gosh I never knew that... No one has ever bothered me or taken my batteries off me. Maybe check with the airline? You may be able to take at least one in your camera.
 
It's quite acceptable to take a lithium ion camera battery and a spare. No doubt someone will be along later pontificating 'Dangerous Goods' and 'IATA regulations' that they have 'cut and pasted' from the Internet sucking teeth and say 'you can't' Whilst these are valid. 'limited Quantities' are acceptable. Yes they are defined as Dangerous Goods. ( UIN 3480) you will be ok.
 
What is it with cameras and airlines?!!!

In the old days it was worry that the infra red security cameras would ruin your film photographs.

Now batteries?

The mind boggles lol :)

I've gone through airline security twice and Eurotunnel with no bother whatsoever.
 
I recall seeing somewhere that 'enclosed within the equipment' was ok.
 
How else can you turn your equipment on to prove it is camera and not Semtex? Take the battery in the camera and carry on. I have never seen a camera banned from flying.
 
I've just flown back from the US and the airline's policy was all lithium batteries had to be carried in hand luggage. The batteries had to be installed inside the equipment with spare batteries inside a plastic case where the battery contacts could not be shorted. I had some batteries in cardboard boxes (as they would be when purchased) and they removed the batteries, placed plastic sticky tape over the contacts and put them back in the cardboard box.
 
Flew to NZ and to Spain last year. Took camera and batteries as carry on with no problems. As previous reply, spare batteries must have covers to prevent short circuit. All my Canon batteries came with covers.
 
Last edited:
I travel with my kit quite frequently, whilst only within the eu, have never had issues. Only Greek authorities searching kit, opening lens covers n thing. u should be fine. :)
 
Call the airline to get clarification. As Bob says, the IATA leaflet shows that they have to be carried in hand baggage not in the hold but that's a good idea with any high value items anyway! Never had a problem taking my kit (including correctly packaged spare LiIon batteries) on flights.
 
As others have indicated. Li-ion batteries are NOT okay to put in hold baggage but are okay in hand luggage. I travel frequently by air and never have a problem with batteries as long as you've got them in cabin baggage.
 
I flew to Cape Town with SA about 3 years ago and took my gear in my hand luggage no problem. At the time just had to be in the camera.
 
I always take my camera with battery plus spare batteries in my hand luggage, never had an issue. The only thing that's changed recently is that you have to take the camera (and any large electrical items) out of the hand luggage and send them through the scanner separately.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top