what happens if you put a vape in carry-on
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What Happens If You Put a Vape in Carry-On?
Carry-on is the correct place: vapes must go in hand luggage, not checked baggage, because of the lithium battery. The travel rules explained.
If you are flying and wondering what happens if you put a vape in your carry on, the good news is that carry on, your hand luggage, is exactly where a vape should go. Vapes must not go in checked baggage, because of their lithium batteries, so they belong in the cabin with you. This guide explains the rules, alongside our guide on the airport rules.
Quick answer
A vape belongs in your carry on, your hand luggage, not in checked baggage, because of its lithium battery. You can take it through security and on board, but you must not use it during the flight. E liquids follow the usual 100ml liquid rule in the cabin. Always check your airline and destination rules, as they can vary.
Vapes go in hand luggage, not the hold
The key rule is that vapes and spare batteries must travel in your carry on, your hand luggage, and not in checked baggage that goes in the hold. This is because of the lithium battery, which is a fire risk in the hold. So putting a vape in your carry on is correct, what you must avoid is packing it in a checked suitcase.
Vapes and air travel
| Item | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Vape device | Hand luggage (carry on) |
| Spare batteries | Hand luggage, terminals protected |
| E liquids | Hand luggage, within the 100ml liquid rule |
| Checked baggage | No vapes or spare batteries |
| Using it on board | Not allowed |
At security and on board
At security, e liquids must follow the usual rules for liquids in hand luggage, in containers of up to 100ml in the clear plastic bag. You can carry your vape through and on board, but you must not use it during the flight, vaping is not allowed on aircraft. It is also sensible to protect spare batteries from short circuiting and to follow any extra airline guidance.
Put your vape in your carry on, never in checked baggage, because of the lithium battery. E liquids follow the 100ml rule, and you must not vape on board.
Do and don’t
Do
- Pack your vape and batteries in hand luggage
- Keep e liquids within the 100ml liquid rule
- Protect spare batteries from short circuiting
- Check your airline and destination rules
Try not to
- Put a vape or spare batteries in checked baggage
- Use or charge your vape on board
- Assume every airline and country is the same
- Carry e liquids over 100ml through security
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| Vapes should go in checked baggage | No, they must go in hand luggage because of the lithium battery. |
| You can vape on the plane | No, vaping is not allowed on board aircraft. |
| E liquids are exempt from the liquid rules | No, they follow the usual 100ml liquid rule in the cabin. |
| The rules are identical everywhere | Airline and destination rules vary, so always check. |
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you put a vape in carry on?
That is the correct place for it; vapes must travel in hand luggage, not checked baggage, because of the lithium battery.
Can I put my vape in checked baggage?
No, vapes and spare batteries must not go in the hold; they belong in your hand luggage.
Can I take e liquids on a plane?
Yes, in your hand luggage within the usual 100ml liquid rule, in the clear plastic bag.
Can I vape on the plane?
No, vaping is not allowed on board aircraft; wait until you are off and in a permitted area.
Do the rules vary by airline?
Yes, airline and destination rules can vary, so always check before you travel.
The bottom line
Putting your vape in your carry on is exactly right, because vapes and spare batteries must travel in your hand luggage, not in checked baggage, due to the lithium battery fire risk in the hold. You can take your vape through security and on board, with e liquids following the usual 100ml liquid rule, but you must not use it during the flight. Always protect spare batteries and check your airline and your destination rules before you travel, as they can vary quite a lot.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about a product, rule or your travel plans, checking the official guidance is always wise.
- Is there a smoking area at Birmingham Airport?
- Can you take disposable vapes in hand luggage?
- How to dispose of vapes safely
- Browse the full Help and Guidance library
Key things to remember
- Vapes go in carry on, not checked baggage
- This is because of the lithium battery
- E liquids follow the 100ml liquid rule
- No vaping on board the aircraft
- Check airline and destination rules
Why batteries decide the rule
The reason vapes must go in the cabin comes down to their lithium batteries. Lithium batteries can, rarely, overheat or catch fire, and a fire is far easier to detect and deal with in the cabin than in the hold. That is why airlines require vapes and spare batteries to travel in hand luggage, where the crew can respond if there is ever a problem.
It also means treating spare batteries with care, keeping their terminals from touching metal or each other, ideally in a case or with the terminals taped. These simple steps keep your journey safe and trouble free at security.
Battery safety when flying
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vapes | Hand luggage only |
| Spare batteries | Hand luggage, protected |
| Why | Lithium battery fire risk |
| Terminals | Keep from touching metal |
| On board | No using or charging |
A few more questions
Can I charge my vape on the plane?
It is best not to; follow crew instructions, and do not use the vape on board at all.
Do and don’t
Do
- Pack your vape and batteries in hand luggage
- Keep e liquids within the 100ml rule
- Protect spare battery terminals
- Check airline and destination rules first
Try not to
- Put a vape or batteries in checked baggage
- Use or charge your vape on board
- Carry e liquids over 100ml through security
- Assume every country allows vapes
Before you fly
A little preparation avoids problems at the airport. Charge your device beforehand if needed, but remember you cannot use it on the plane, so plan for the flight, some travellers use nicotine gum or pouches during a long journey. Pack e liquids within the 100ml liquid rule in your clear bag, and keep the device and any spare pods or batteries together in your hand luggage.
It is also worth checking the rules for your destination, as some countries restrict or ban vaping products entirely, and bringing one in could cause problems. A quick check of your airline and destination rules before you travel saves any surprises.
Pre flight checklist
| Task | Detail |
|---|---|
| Charge device | Beforehand; not usable on board |
| E liquids | Within the 100ml rule |
| Pack together | Device, pods, batteries in hand luggage |
| Long flights | Consider gum or pouches |
| Destination rules | Check before you travel |
More questions answered
Can I take disposable style vapes on a plane?
Any vape with a battery goes in hand luggage, not the hold; check airline rules, and note single use disposables are banned from sale in the UK.
What if a country bans vapes?
Some countries restrict or ban vaping products; bringing one in could cause problems, so always check the destination rules first.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
Airline and airport rules vary and can change, so always check your airlines policy and the rules for your destination before you travel.
Need a hand?
Browse our full library of plain English vaping guides, or get in touch with the team if you have a question we have not answered yet.