Cleared to Pack

Can you bring a phone charger on a plane?

Yes. Plug-in phone chargers, wall adapters and charging cables have no batteries and are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. Battery-powered chargers (power banks, battery cases) are different and must be carried on.

Carry-on bagAllowed

Allowed with no special rules. Wrap cords so bags are easy to screen.

Checked bagAllowed

Allowed. Only chargers that contain a battery, such as power banks and phone battery cases, are banned from checked bags.

Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.

The rules in numbers

  • Non-battery chargers, adapters and cables: no limits
  • Power banks and battery charging cases: carry-on only, 100 Wh limit without approval

Packing tips

  • If a charger has a built-in battery or charge indicator lights that work unplugged, treat it as a power bank.
  • Keep one cable in your carry-on; in-seat USB ports are common but your checked bag won't be reachable.

Questions people ask

Can I put phone chargers in checked luggage?

Yes, ordinary plug-in chargers and cables can be checked. Portable battery chargers (power banks) cannot.

Is a phone battery case allowed in checked luggage?

No. TSA treats phone battery charging cases like power banks: spare lithium batteries that must go in your carry-on.

Sources