Michael Turner
Security treatment: Any device with a built-in or non-removable reservoir is treated under the 100 ml rule: containers over 100 ml are refused in cabin. The usual standard is 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) per container, all containers must fit into a single transparent resealable bag no larger than 1 litre (1 quart), and only one such bag is permitted per passenger.
Battery and power rules: Devices with lithium batteries must travel in cabin. Spare batteries and power banks belong in carry-on only; protect terminals (tape exposed contacts or use original packaging). Power bank limits: up to 100 Wh typically allowed without airline approval; 100–160 Wh usually require airline approval; >160 Wh are generally prohibited from passenger aircraft.
Packing practice: Keep devices switched off, mouthpieces covered, and keep original packaging or receipts where possible. Do not place e-cigarette devices or spare batteries in checked baggage because of fire risk. Present the clear resealable bag separately at security if requested.
Regulatory variations: Rules differ by carrier and country. Some jurisdictions strictly prohibit importation of nicotine-containing products or require medical prescriptions (for example, Australia enforces strong restrictions). Check both the departure and arrival airport/security pages and your airline’s guidance before travel; if nicotine content or device specifications are questioned, documentation helps.
If unsure, confirm limits for container size, battery watt-hours and national import rules with the airline and the relevant airport security authority before you pack.
Single-use e-cigarettes and the 100 ml / 3-1-1 allowance
Treat pre-filled single-use e-cigarette reservoirs as subject to the 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) rule: any device whose internal tank exceeds 100 ml will not fit the 3-1-1 allowance and can be refused for carry-on. Most single-use models contain well under 100 ml, so a single unit normally does not consume the one-quart bag slot reserved for separate containers.
3-1-1 specifics: maximum 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) per container, all containers must fit inside a single 1-litre (quart-sized) clear resealable plastic bag, one bag per passenger. Loose bottles of e-juice must be placed inside that bag; pre-filled devices with tanks under 100 ml are generally screened as devices rather than loose bottles but remain subject to the same volume threshold.
Battery and carriage rules: mandate cabin carriage for electronic nicotine devices because of lithium batteries – do not pack them in checked baggage. Power devices off, prevent accidental activation, and carry spare cells in protective cases. Security staff may ask you to present devices separately during screening.
Typical capacities and red flags: many pre-filled single-use items hold between roughly 2 ml and 20 ml of e-juice; some high-capacity models reach ~50 ml. Any item approaching or exceeding 100 ml should be treated as an oversized liquid container and not placed in carry-on under the 3-1-1 allowance.
Practical checklist before travel: verify airline and departure/arrival country rules; pack loose e-juice bottles in the 1-litre clear bag; keep filled devices accessible for inspection; avoid checked baggage for devices and spare batteries; when in doubt, check the airport or TSA/CAA guidance specific to your route.
Battery and fire-safety rules for carrying single-use e-cigarette devices in carry-on baggage
Keep all electronic cigarette devices, spare lithium batteries and power banks in your carry-on; do not place them in checked baggage.
Regulatory thresholds and requirements
- General industry standards (IATA/FAA/EASA): lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh are permitted in cabin without airline approval.
- Batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require airline approval; typically a maximum of two spare batteries in this band is allowed per passenger.
- Batteries above 160 Wh are forbidden on passenger aircraft in both cabin and hold.
- Power banks/personal chargers are treated as spare batteries and must be carried in the cabin; their capacity is subject to the same Wh rules.
- Formula for converting mAh to Wh: Wh = V × (mAh / 1000). Example: a 3.7 V cell at 650 mAh → 3.7 × 0.65 = 2.405 Wh (well under 100 Wh).
Packing and handling checklist
- Switch devices fully off and lock any firing mechanism; use original packaging or a rigid protective case to prevent accidental activation.
- Treat spare, removable cells separately: tape their terminals or place each battery in an individual plastic pouch to avoid short circuits.
- Keep devices and spare batteries accessible for security screening; do not place them in checked suitcases.
- If a power bank or battery is labeled >100 Wh, contact the airline before travel to obtain approval; expect a refusal if >160 Wh.
- Do not charge or use electronic cigarette devices during flight; many carriers prohibit in‑flight use and onboard charging of personal batteries.
- Check the specific airline policy and national aviation authority rules before departure; some carriers limit the number of devices or impose stricter handling requirements.
Non-compliance can lead to confiscation, fines or denied boarding; when in doubt, photograph battery labels (V and mAh/Wh) and present them to the airline or security staff for clarification.
How to pack, declare and present single-use e-cigarettes at security checkpoints
Store single-use e-cigarettes in carry-on baggage, switched off, inside original sealed packaging or a hard protective case; keep them upright and in an outer pocket for quick access during screening.
At the checkpoint, place each device on the security tray separately if requested, together with the box and any small refill containers; cover mouthpieces and use a clear resealable bag for loose bottles so staff can inspect contents without opening sealed packaging.
If a unit is damaged, leaking, swollen or producing heat, inform security staff immediately, seal the item in a clear plastic bag, and present it for inspection – expect refusal of carriage or requirement to transfer to checked baggage or disposal.
Have proof of purchase, manufacturer labels and the product barcode ready on your phone or printed copy; present these on request to speed up identity, authenticity and quantity checks.
To prevent short-circuiting of exposed terminals during handling, fit a non-conductive spacer (a wax crayon can be used) between contacts before presenting the device – see how can a crayon save your life for guidance.
Accept that airport and airline policies differ: declare devices when asked on screening forms or by staff, arrive earlier than usual to allow time for additional inspection, and, if refused, request written reasons and guidance from the airline for alternative carriage or disposal options.
Which airlines or countries ban or restrict single-use e-cigarette pens in cabin and on board?
Do not bring single-use e-cigarette pens into Singapore, Thailand or Brunei – possession, import or sale is illegal and devices will be confiscated; offenders face fines and possible criminal charges.
Australia: nicotine-containing e-liquids generally require a prescription under federal rules; carrying nicotine without documentation risks seizure at the border and penalties. Qantas and other Australian carriers require these devices in cabin only and prohibit in-flight use.
United States and Canada: TSA (US) and CATSA (Canada) allow powered smoking devices only in carry-on; checked carriage is prohibited. Major North American airlines – American, Delta, United, Southwest, Air Canada – similarly ban use on board and typically require devices be isolated from activation during screening.
Europe: most EU carriers and major low-cost airlines – British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Ryanair, easyJet – forbid charging or using e-cigarette pens in flight and disallow placement in checked baggage due to lithium battery rules; expect confiscation if rules are breached.
Middle East and Gulf: enforcement varies by state but several airports and customs authorities (examples reported at Dubai and Saudi airports) confiscate devices on arrival if local import rules are not met; Emirates and other regional carriers prohibit onboard use and follow IATA battery carriage guidance.
Countries with total or near-total prohibitions beyond the three named above include some Southeast Asian and Gulf states where border controls routinely seize devices; always verify destination customs before travel and consult the airline’s hazardous materials/battery policy at booking.
For organised storage and quick security presentation keep devices in carry-on cabin bags designed for airport checks; a compact, packable option to separate electronics is the best collapsible port tote bag travel cruise. Also consider weather-ready carry items like the best umbrellas for short people to avoid last-minute gate-area purchases in jurisdictions with bans.
