You need to know the basics when traveling by air, especially if it’s your first time. One crucial restriction you need to know is regarding the gadgets and peripherals you’re allowed to carry on your bag or check in on your luggage.
Different countries may also have different policies on which items are allowed to enter their local soil. In this NoypiGeeks guide, let’s talk about the gadget guidelines and restrictions you need to know about.
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Why are there gadget restrictions on planes?
Different airlines have different policies, so it’s important to check the restrictions before going to the airport because a gadget may be allowed on one airline but prohibited on another, or it is permitted on your hand-carry but is not on another.
It’s also important to update the airline policies because there may have been changes since your last flight. For example, before 2014, you were not allowed to use cell phones on board a plane and must be turned off or placed in airplane mode. It’s a good thing that it’s not a thing anymore, and we’re allowed to use our gadgets during flights.
There are also new gadgets today that may or may not yet be covered by the airline guidelines, so it’s important to inquire about them beforehand.
Disclaimer: I only included the three primary airlines in the Philippines: Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and Cebu Pacific. For more specific details, please get in touch with the airlines directly.
Philippine Airlines

Let’s start with our country’s flag carrier, the Philippine Airlines or PAL. Their website provided a much more detailed list of the allowed and restricted goods on the plane, including whether they are allowed on your carry-on baggage, should be checked in, either or both.
Portable Consumer Electronic Devices
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: No
The portable consumer electronic device is the umbrella term that includes your mobile phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, and cameras – with or without batteries. According to the PAL, you can bring them in your carry-on luggage.
On the other hand, you can only carry digital cameras and video equipment if they are packed in their original packages or terminals to prevent potential short circuits. According to PAL, these electronic devices should only be placed on your carry-on baggage, not your check-in.
Since you usually bring these items on the plane, you should also remember that there’s a maximum Watt-hour (Wh) rating on these batteries: 160 Wh for lithium-ions and 2 g for lithium metal.
Note: To convert milliampere-hour (mAh) to Wh, multiply the mAh amount by volts (typically 3.6V) and then divide by 1000 (Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000). mAh and volts specifications can be found on your battery or devices. For example, if you have a 20,000 mAh power bank and 3.6 V. Wh = (20,0000 mAh x 3.6V) / 1,000) = 72 Wh.
E-Cigarettes (Vape)
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: No
E-cigarettes and vapes have become more common and are now allowed on the plane. PAL now allows you to carry e-cigarettes and vapes in your carry-on luggage. However, you can’t use or charge them on board the aircraft.
Portable Medical Electronic Devices
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: Yes
Portable medical electronic devices are crucial for the health and safety of the owners, so airlines typically allow them with minimal restrictions, like AEDs, nebulizers, and Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) containing lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries.
Similarly, portable medical electronic devices have a maximum rating limit on batteries: 160 Wh for lithium-ions and a higher limit for lithium metal batteries of 8 g.
Battery-Powered Wheelchairs (with spillable and non-spillable batteries)
Carry-On: No
Checked-In: Yes
PAL must approve battery-powered wheelchairs before checking in. These electric wheelchairs using spillable and non-spillable batteries have specific requirements you need to know to ensure it is properly packed:
- Battery terminals must be properly insulated to prevent short circuits.
- Battery must be securely attached to the wheelchair.
- Battery must be carried in a strong, rigid package.
- Damaged or leaking battery must not be loaded.
For battery-powered wheelchairs using lithium-ion, batteries have a 100 Wh limit. However, if your request from PAL is approved, you can carry a maximum of two (2) spare larger lithium-ion batteries (101 to 160 Wh) in your carry-on baggage.
On the other hand, those using lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries can only bring up to 2 grams of lithium per battery.
Battery-Powered Non-Mobility Devices
Carry-On: No
Checked-In: No
Aside from the battery-powered wheelchairs, all other battery-powered movement devices, like electric scooters, mini segway, and e-bikes, are not allowed – with or without batteries. So, if you want to buy a good or cheaper e-bike abroad, you can’t take it back to the Philippines with you on the plane.
Lithium Battery (Dangerous Goods)
Carry-On: Depends on Battery Capacity
Checked-In: Depends on Battery Capacity
Lithium-ion was a revolutionary discovery that made smaller and lighter smartphones, laptops, and tablets possible. However, this type of technology also poses some risks because Lithium is flammable. So, to ensure safety, airlines implement a limit of 100 Wh.
- Lithium-ion Battery (less than 100 Wh) – these batteries are typically used on laptops, smartphones, tablets, and power banks. You can also use it and place it on your carry-on with a limit of 20 spare batteries.
- Lithium-ion Battery (101 to 160 Wh) – these batteries are used on commercial cameras and video equipment. You can also place it on your carry-on, but it is only limited to two (2).
- Lithium-ion Battery (more than 160 Wh) – these are prohibited on the plane, whether on your carry-on or check-in baggage.
- Lithium Metal Batteries – these batteries are commonly non-rechargeable. You can bring up to 20 spare batteries on your carry-on, as long as it is less than 2 grams of Lithium. Anything above 2 grams is prohibited.
Smart Luggage
Carry-On: Depends on Battery Capacity
Checked-In: Depends on Battery Capacity
Smart luggage is becoming more common because it offers high-tech capabilities, like charging, GPS, electronic locks, Wi-Fi connectivity, and electronic scales. However, this also means they have pre-installed batteries (commonly removable). Here are some of the considerations you need to know.
- With Removable Batteries – you can carry your smart luggage or check it in. However, you must remove the batteries first and carry them in the cabin.
- With Non-Removable Batteries – you can carry your smart luggage or check it in, as long as its batteries will not exceed 0.3 g for lithium metal or 2.7 Wh for lithium-ion.
Other Electronic Items You Can Carry
Besides the items mentioned above, you can bring an electric razor or shaver with your carry-on. However, if you’re unsure whether you can carry an electronic item on the plane, it’s best to ask the airlines if it’s okay rather than risking it.
AirAsia Philippines

AirAsia is a multinational low-cost airline operating in the Philippines since 2012. As I mentioned, one airline’s policy may differ from the other, so ensure you’re checking with your airline.
Portable Electronic Devices
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: No
Portable electronic devices, like mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and camcorders, are allowed for personal use inside your cabin baggage but should not exceed a 100 Wh rating for lithium-ion batteries and less than 2 grams for lithium-metal batteries.
Power banks are considered spare batteries and included in the limitations, so you should ensure they are below the maximum rating. You can also bring as many as 20 spare batteries that are individually protected to avoid short circuits.
Note: AirAsia also mentioned that using electronic devices during takeoff and landing is prohibited for safety reasons, including cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, electronic games, or transmitting devices.
E-Cigarettes (Vape)
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: No
If you use vapes or e-cigarettes, you can bring them on your carry-on baggage, but they must be individually protected to avoid accidental activations. You also can’t use or charge them while you are on board the plane.
Battery-Powered Wheelchairs
Carry-On: No
Checked-In: Yes
Battery-powered wheelchairs are only allowed in your check-in baggage. It’s also important to inform AirAsia 48 hours before your flight that you are bringing one of these, including detailed information, so they can properly prepare the handling of batteries. Here are some of the considerations:
- For Non-Lithium Battery:
- The batteries must be protected from short-circuit by insulating the terminals.
- The batteries must be securely attached to the mobility device/wheelchair.
- Any on/off switch must be in the “off” position.
- Leaking, cracked, or damaged batteries are not allowed.
- For Lithium Battery (Lithium-ion or Lithium metal)
- The power rating of the lithium-ion battery must not exceed 300 Wh.
- If the device uses two batteries, each lithium-ion battery must not exceed 160 Wh.
- You can also bring into the cabin one spare lithium battery with a maximum of 300 Wh or two spares less than 160 Wh, provided it is placed in the appropriate manufacturer-issued battery pouch.
Note: To convert milliampere-hour (mAh) to Wh, multiply the mAh amount by volts (typically 3.6V) and then divide by 1000 (Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000). mAh and volts specifications can be found on your battery or devices.
Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific (CEB)is another homegrown low-cost airline operating since 1996. They are also a publicly listed company on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Generally, personal items are allowed, with specific provisions, especially if they have a battery. Here are some of the gadget restrictions on their airplanes.
Portable Electronic Devices using Lithium-Ion Battery
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: Depends
You can generally bring your electronic devices in your carry luggage, like your mobile phone, tablet, laptop (and desktop computer), and digital camera, as long as their battery capacity doesn’t exceed the allowed rating of 100 Wh.
However, for devices that use a lithium-ion battery, you can only bring it in your hand-carry baggage and must remove it from your checked baggage. Your power bank and other loose spare batteries will also fit the restriction regarding batteries since they typically use a lithium-ion battery.
On the other hand, if your device uses a dry cell or gel cell battery, you can put them on your check-in baggage.
Note: To convert milliampere-hour (mAh) to Wh, multiply the mAh amount by volts (typically 3.6V) and then divide by 1000 (Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000). mAh and volts specifications can be found on your battery or devices.
E-Cigarettes (Vapes)
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: Depends
E-cigarettes and vapes are allowed on your check-in and carry-on baggage. However, if your vape uses a lithium-ion battery, you should bring it in your carry-on. It is also important to remember that using and charging your vape is prohibited.
Portable Electronic Medical Devices
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: Yes
Portable electronic medical devices, like CPAP machines, portable nebulizers, and portable oxygen concentrations, are crucial for some people, so they are allowed in both carry-on and checked-in luggage, with some restrictions on the battery.
Battery-Powered Wheelchair
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: Yes, with restriction
According to their website, electric wheelchairs are allowed in the hand-carry baggage. However, since wheelchairs are usually bulky, it’s good to pack them for the check-in luggage.
Just ensure that your electric wheelchair’s battery does not spill, like lead acid, so a Lithium-type battery is ideal. Devices fitted with one lithium-ion battery should not exceed 300 Wh. On the other hand, if it requires two batteries, each battery should not exceed 160 Wh.
Note: The transportation of the electric wheelchair is FREE if the user is joining the traveling party.
Smart Luggage
Carry-On: Yes
Checked-In: No
You can bring your smart/motorized luggage as your carry-on, but it is not allowed as check-in baggage. It’s a good thing that most smart luggage has a removable battery that you can disconnect for safety.
Other Gadgets
Cebu Pacific also added various restrictions on gadgets and battery-operated items, like drones, household appliances, and other gadgets. However, if there are things you’re unsure whether they are allowed to bring as carry-on or check-in baggage, it would be best to call the airline.
It’s important to know the dos and don’ts of your airline when traveling because you don’t want to be stressed on the day. So, before packing, you should check whether you can bring your gadgets in your hand-carry or check-in luggage.
Have you ever experienced inconveniences related to a gadget you brought to the airport? Please share your experiences in the comments below.