Lao Airlines Policy for “Smart Bag” Handling
(Baggage equipped with a lithium battery)
Cabin Baggage
If the size and weight of the smart bag is within the cabin baggage size and weight limit restrictions of Lao Airlines aircraft:
- and the battery is removable, it can remain installed but must be completely powered off.
- but if the battery is irremovable, the smart bag will not be permitted on the flight.
Checked Baggage
If the size and weight of the smart bag exceeds the cabin baggage size and weight limit restrictions of Lao Airlines aircraft:
- and the battery is removable, the smart bag is allowed as checked baggage but the battery must be removed and carried as carry-on only.
- but if the battery is irremovable, the smart bag will not be permitted as carry-on or checked baggage.
Remark: Lithium-ion batteries are required to have a power rating below 100 Wh (watt-hour); without indication to identify the Wh rating, the uplift of such batteries will not be permitted.
Totally Forbidden
The following items are strictly prohibited from carriage in checked baggage, carry-on baggage, and on the person, without exception.
Baggage with installed lithium batteries
Non-removable batteries exceeding 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh (Smart luggage not designed to charge other devices).
Disabling Devices
Mace, pepper spray, etc. containing an irritant or incapacitating substance are forbidden on the person, in checked and carry-on baggage.
Electro-Shock Weapons
Tasers and similar devices containing dangerous goods such as explosives, compressed gases, or lithium batteries are forbidden in carry-on, checked baggage, or on person.
Security-Type Attaché Cases
Attaché cases, cash boxes, cash bags, etc. incorporating dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic material.
Permitted in or as Passenger Baggage
Dangerous goods must not be carried in or as passengers or crew members, checked or carry-on baggage, except as otherwise provided below.
Dangerous goods permitted in carry-on baggage are also permitted “on one’s person”, except where otherwise specified.
| Item | Pilot Informed | Carry-on | Checked | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcoholic Beverages Alcoholic beverages, when in retail packaging, containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume, in receptacles not exceeding 5 L, with a total net quantity per person of 5 L. Note: Alcohol beverages contain 24% or less alcohol by volume are not subject to any restrictions |
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| Ammunition (Cartridges for Weapons) Securely packaged (in Div 1.4 S, UN0012 or UN0014 only) in quantities not exceeding 5 kg gross weight per person for that person’s own use. Allowances for more than one person must not be combined into one or more packages. |
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| Avalanche Rescue Backpack One (1) per person, containing a cartridge of compressed gas in Division 2.2 (non-flammable, non-toxic). May be equipped with a pyrotechnic trigger mechanism containing no more than 200 mg net. Packed so it cannot be accidentally activated; airbags must be fitted with pressure relief valves. |
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| Baggage with Installed Lithium Batteries (Non-Removable, exceeding limits) Non-removable batteries exceeding 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh (smart luggage not designed to charge other devices) are totally forbidden. |
FORBIDDEN | |||
| Baggage with Installed Lithium Batteries (Smart Luggage) Non-removable batteries: must contain no more than 0.3 g lithium metal, or for lithium ion, no more than 2.7 Wh. Removable batteries: must be removed if the baggage is checked in; removed batteries must be carried in the cabin. |
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| Batteries, Spare / Loose Including lithium, non-spillable, nickel-metal hydride and dry batteries, for portable electronic devices — carry-on baggage only. Lithium metal content ≤ 2 g; lithium ion Watt-hour rating ≤ 100 Wh. Batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits. Maximum of 20 spare batteries per person. Non-spillable batteries must be 12V or less and 100 Wh or less, maximum 2 per person. Note: Maximum of 2 power banks not exceeding 100 Wh per person. |
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| Camping Stoves & Fuel Containers That have contained a flammable liquid fuel, with empty fuel tank and/or fuel container. |
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| Chemical Agent Monitoring Equipment When carried by staff members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on official travel. |
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| Disabling Devices Such as mace, pepper spray, etc containing an irritant or incapacitating substance are forbidden on the person, in checked and carry-on baggage. |
FORBIDDEN | |||
| Dry Ice (Carbon Dioxide, Solid) In quantities not exceeding 2.5 kg per person, used to pack perishables, provided the baggage permits release of carbon dioxide gas. Checked baggage must be marked “dry ice” or “carbon dioxide, solid” with the net weight, or an indication that there is 2.5 kg or less. |
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| E-Cigarettes (incl. e-cigars, e-pipes, personal vaporizers) Containing Batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation. |
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| Electro Shock Weapons (e.g. Tasers) Containing dangerous goods such as explosives, compressed gases, lithium batteries, etc. are forbidden in carry-on baggage or checked baggage or on the person. |
FORBIDDEN | |||
| Fuel Cells Containing fuel, powering portable electronic devices such as cameras, cellular phones, laptop computers and camcorders. |
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| Fuel Cell Cartridges, Spare For portable electronic devices. |
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| Gas Cartridges, Small (Self-Inflating Safety Devices) Containing carbon dioxide or other suitable gas in Division 2.2. Up to two (2) small cartridges fitted into a self-inflating personal safety device intended to be worn (e.g. life jacket or vest). Not more than two (2) devices per passenger, and up to two (2) small spare cartridges per device — not more than four (4) cartridges up to 50 mL water capacity for other devices. |
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| Gas Cylinders for Mechanical Limbs Worn for the operation of mechanical limbs. Also, spare cylinders of a similar size if required to ensure an adequate supply for the duration of the journey. |
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| Hair Styling Equipment (Gas Cartridge) Containing a hydrocarbon gas cartridge, up to one (1) per passenger or crew member, provided the safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element. Must not be used on board. Spare gas cartridges are not permitted in checked or carry-on baggage. |
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| Insulated Packagings (Dry Shipper) Containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen, fully absorbed in a porous material, containing only non-dangerous goods. |
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| Internal Combustion or Fuel Cell Engines Must meet A70. |
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| Lithium Batteries: Security-Type Equipment Security-type equipment containing lithium batteries. |
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| Lithium Batteries: Portable Electronic Devices (PED) Including medical devices such as portable oxygen concentrators (POC) and consumer electronics such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops, tablets and power banks, for personal use. Lithium metal content ≤ 2 g; lithium ion Watt-hour rating ≤ 100 Wh. Maximum 15 PEDs per person. The battery must be removable (other than lithium button cells); if the baggage is checked, the battery must be removed and carried in the cabin. Devices must be protected from damage and inadvertent activation; those in checked baggage must be completely switched off. |
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| Lithium Batteries, Spare / Loose (incl. Power Banks) See Batteries, Spare/Loose including lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries. |
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| Lithium Batteries, Spare/Loose (100–160 Wh) Watt-hour rating exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh, for consumer electronic devices and PMED, or lithium content exceeding 2 g but not exceeding 8 g for PMED only. Maximum of two spare batteries, carry-on baggage only, individually protected to prevent short circuits. Note: Power banks exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh are forbidden. |
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| Lithium Battery-Powered Electronic Devices (100–160 Wh) Lithium ion batteries for portable (incl. medical) electronic devices, Wh rating exceeding 100 but not exceeding 160 Wh. For portable medical electronic devices only, lithium metal content exceeding 2 g but not exceeding 8 g. Note: Devices must be protected from damage and inadvertent activation; those in checked baggage must be completely switched off. |
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| Matches & Small Cigarette Lighter One small packet of safety matches, or a small cigarette lighter not containing unabsorbed liquid fuel other than liquefied gas, intended for use by an individual, carried on the person. Lighter fuel and lighter refills are not permitted on one’s person or in checked or carry-on baggage. Note: “Strike anywhere” matches, “blue flame” or “cigar” lighters, or lighters powered by a lithium battery without a safety cap or means of protection against unintentional activation, are forbidden. |
On one’s person (in pocket only) |
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| Mobility Aids: Non-Spillable, NiMH or Dry Batteries Battery-powered wheelchairs or similar mobility devices with non-spillable wet batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, or dry batteries. Please contact our reservations team 48 hours prior to travelling. |
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| Mobility Aids: Spillable or Lithium Ion Batteries Battery-powered wheelchairs or similar mobility devices with spillable batteries or lithium ion batteries. Please contact our reservations team 48 hours prior to travelling. |
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| Mobility Aids: Lithium Ion (Inadequate Protection) Battery-powered wheelchairs or similar mobility devices with lithium ion batteries where the design does not provide adequate protection for the battery(ies). Please contact our reservations team 48 hours prior to travelling. |
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| Non-Radioactive Medicinal or Toiletry Articles Including aerosols such as hair sprays, perfumes, colognes and medicines containing alcohol; and non-flammable, non-toxic (Division 2.2) aerosols, with no subsidiary hazard, for sporting or home use. Total net quantity must not exceed 2 kg or 2 L; each single article must not exceed 0.5 kg or 0.5 L. Release valves must be protected against inadvertent release. |
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| Oxygen or Air, Gaseous Cylinders (Medical Use) The cylinder must not exceed 5 kg gross weight. Note: Liquid oxygen systems are forbidden for transport. |
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| Permeation Devices Must meet A41. |
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| Radioisotopic Cardiac Pacemakers & Similar Devices Including those powered by lithium batteries, implanted into a person or fitted externally. |
On one’s person (in pocket only) |
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| Security-Type Attaché Cases Attaché cases, cash boxes, cash bags, etc. incorporating dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic material. |
FORBIDDEN | |||
| Specimens, Non-Infectious Packed with small quantities of flammable liquid; must meet IATA Special Provision A180. |
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| Thermometer, Medical or Clinical (Mercury) One (1) per person for personal use, when in its protective case. |
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| Thermometer or Barometer, Mercury-Filled Carried by a representative of a government weather bureau or similar official agency. |
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Remark
- * Spare battery ≤100 Wh (5V, 20,000 mAh): maximum of 20 spare batteries, carry-on baggage only.
- ** Spare battery >100 Wh (20,000 mAh) up to 160 Wh (32,000 mAh): maximum of 2 spare batteries, carry-on baggage only.
- *** Spare battery >160 Wh (32,000 mAh): forbidden in any baggage.
- **** Power bank ≤100 Wh (20,000 mAh): maximum of 2 power banks, carry-on baggage only.
- ***** Power bank >100 Wh (20,000 mAh): forbidden in any baggage.
For air transport safety, Lao Airlines reserves the right to accept and carry well-packed packages only.
Lithium ion batteries, lithium metal batteries, or power banks without any clear marking of the watt-hour rating or lithium metal content, or where the watt-hour rating cannot be calculated, are forbidden.
Conditions of Dangerous Goods acceptance vary according to each airport’s regulations and State and operator variations.
Latest Update : 1 June 2026