Traveling to/from Mexico with batteries

Most of us know that the TSA/airlines want us to carry our Li-on batteries in our carry on luggage. In fact, there are regulations to this effect. I have no problem with that. In fact, I prefer to carry on my high dollar items anyway. However, this is not the case in Mexico. Flying back from there today I packed my canister lights and batteries in my carry on luggage as usual (did this 9 months ago with no issues). The security detail at the airport would not let me take the batteries through with me. I went back to the Delta desk to try to get the batteries checked and they told me the batteries have to go in carry on with me. So here I am with several hundred dollars in dive equipment that I'm not allowed by security to take on in my carry on luggage and Delta won't allow me to check. The Delta employee comes to security with me and he and the security guard spend the next 10 minutes arguing about each other's policy. Delta finally calls his supervisor and gets permission for me to just check the batteries. Once in Atlanta, I had to take them back on as carry on. Delta told me this new rule was instituted a couple months ago and they have been trying to get the Mexican authorities to change the rule. He said they have shown them the TSA rules and that they conflict with the Mexico rules. I was ready to send Delta an email concerning missing batteries when I got back but fortunately mine made it through in my checked bag. So heads up to anyone in Mexico right now or planning on traveling to Mexico in the near future. I think I was pretty lucky in that there was an understanding employee on duty today and I was able to get my batteries checked. Someone else may not be so lucky. I'm hoping to go back to Mexico soon but not so sure I want to bring my canister lights with me. I'm exploring other options.

Your experience with flying out of Mexico mirrors our own over the past few years - batteries must be checked. We've never had a problem with the airline checking them however - they just always remind us to move them to our carryon after clearing customs for the leg home.

Glad to hear it worked out for you in the end.

In six or so trips back from Cancun I've had them refuse once to allow my lights to stay in the carry-on, but that one time nearly made me miss my flight.

My expereince has been that sometimes I feel the person checking your carryone wants to keep the batteries-Had this problem with CR123A. I told the security person no they are allowed. When I said I would take them back to the departure lounge and throw them away instead of leaving them with him-He let me through
Canister lights I have now- switched to a 10 watt that uses D cell batteries. I take my D cells in my carry on and leave them all at Mexico at the end of the trip. I leave my 24 watt diverite light at home in Canada. I have may trips to Mexico cave diving and it all depends who is checking the carry on and what they want

I sent an email to the HazMat Instructor for a US airline which flies to Cancun. Even working for an airline and being a diver I'm struggling to interpret the documentation on this. If I were a gate agent without a diving back ground I would have no clue.

I'll try to get you guys the exact regulations (in both languages if possible) for that airport so that you can keep it with you, maybe make a pdf you can just print out with an explanation of what a can light is in both English and Spanish as well as a summary of the regulations so you can tape it to your light when you travel. With all the confusion, someone's going to lose a battery due to a misunderstanding if we don't get some clarify on this.

Sometimes it's easier to ship things to the motel where you are going to be, just ship them early enough that you can confirm their arrival before you leave and have it insured of course. That way you don't have to worry about the weight too.
You have to be careful I have "lost" an aviation O2 bottle trying to fly with it. Apparently the regulation is you have to have the valve out, and that's not happening very easily with tapered threads like in an aviation O2 bottle, I can see "losing" battery packs the same way because a TSA idiot doesn't know their own regulations. Years ago I flew to Cyprus to do some work and dive the wreck there, The TSA folks essentially freaked out on the two soft weights I had, nothing else bothered them, but they really freaked out on the soft weights, never explained why.

What is the regulation when shipping your own personal property for your own use to a foreign country. I would hate to arrive at the hotel and find I have to buy my own batteries back. I have heard it is best to pre-ship you large luggage pieces too. Anyone have experience doing this

I've done it with no problem, years ago when I lived in Germany I had a video camera shipped to my German address so I could take it to Bosnia with me, I had import "issues" with that because it was a new camera and it looked like smuggling I guess, It was easily fixed though, but personal property I've never had an issue with. I have always wondered upon arrival back into the US how do you prove you left with the expensive watch, jewelry etc. and didn't buy them overseas?
The TSA people are idiots, customs people aren't as bad, actually they aren't customs anymore, but CBP now. I used to export several aircraft a year by flying them overseas, only problem I ever had was with the TSA idiots in Atlanta on my return.

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Originally Posted by jj1987

I sent an email to the HazMat Instructor for a US airline which flies to Cancun. Even working for an airline and being a diver I'm struggling to interpret the documentation on this. If I were a gate agent without a diving back ground I would have no clue.

I'll try to get you guys the exact regulations (in both languages if possible) for that airport so that you can keep it with you, maybe make a pdf you can just print out with an explanation of what a can light is in both English and Spanish as well as a summary of the regulations so you can tape it to your light when you travel. With all the confusion, someone's going to lose a battery due to a misunderstanding if we don't get some clarify on this.

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This was Cozumel not Cancun. I also found out one of our group who left a couple hours earlier didn't have any issues with his canister light in his carry on. So apparently this was just this one particular security person that had an issue with it. She was very adamant and argumentative, even with the Delta supervisor.

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Originally Posted by a64pilot

Sometimes it's easier to ship things to the motel where you are going to be, just ship them early enough that you can confirm their arrival before you leave and have it insured of course. That way you don't have to worry about the weight too.

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My concerns about that are in not getting the package. I've heard from people who live in Mexico that all packages shipped to the country go through Mexico City and if it's something one of the postal workers wants, it just gets lost. I've had FB friends ask for anyone traveling to PDC to bring down laptops, lights, etc for fear they won't make it through Mexico City postal checks.


If we couldn't have gotten the canisters back we were going to call a friend who lives in Cozumel and have him come pick them up so at least we would still have them for the next trip. We would just have bought new ones here. They weren't getting my canisters. Fortunately, that's not how it ended. This is one reason I always arrive a few hours early to the airport. Most of the time I sit and wait. This time it paid off.

I had the same experience as Rob flying out of Coz yesterday with American. Made me check my carrying bag. They tried to charge me $45 for it. When I became the large, loud angry First class (gotta love those miles,) passenger they dropped charges. Rechecking bags in Dallas I very politely talked to the supervisor and asked where they wanted the bag. "Carry on for all lithium batteries as they may catch fire in the unpressurized cargo hold," I was told. "Well sezs I, can't they then catch fire over Mexican air space? Or for that matter southern Texas?" "I see your point, Sir, come to the front of the line."

Here's what I have so far. I sent an email to an airport manager at CUN to hopefully get some clarity.

FAA Says-
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...1.25.5&idno=49

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(18) Except as provided in §173.21 of this subchapter, portable electronic devices (for example, watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top and notebook computers, camcorders, etc.) containing cells or batteries (including lithium cells or batteries) and spare batteries and cells for these devices, when carried by passengers or crew members for personal use. Each spare battery must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (by placement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. , by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch) and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each installed or spare battery must not exceed the following:

(i) For a lithium metal battery, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams per battery; or

(ii) For a lithium-ion battery, an aggregate equivalent lithium content of not more than 8 grams per battery, except that up to two batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of more than 8 grams but not more than 25 grams may be carried.

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IATA Says
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/d...-2012-V1.1.pdf

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2.3.5.9 Portable electronic devices (watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top computers, camcorders, etc.) containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries when carried by passengers or crew for personal use, which should be carried in carry-on baggage. Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch, and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, for lithium batteries, each installed or spare battery must not exceed the following quantities:
(a) for lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries, a lithium content of not more than 2 g; or
(b) for lithium ion batteries, a watt-hour rating of not more than 100 Wh.

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Originally Posted by MichaelAngelo

I had the same experience as Rob flying out of Coz yesterday with American. Made me check my carrying bag. They tried to charge me $45 for it. When I became the large, loud angry First class (gotta love those miles,) passenger they dropped charges. Rechecking bags in Dallas I very politely talked to the supervisor and asked where they wanted the bag. "Carry on for all lithium batteries as they may catch fire in the unpressurized cargo hold," I was told. "Well sezs I, can't they then catch fire over Mexican air space? Or for that matter southern Texas?" "I see your point, Sir, come to the front of the line."

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While you benefited from the outcome, that employee was in the wrong for allowing you to check the bag with hazardous materials.

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Originally Posted by michaelangelo

"well sezs i, can't they then catch fire over mexican air space? Or for that matter southern texas?"

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roflmao!!!!!

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Originally Posted by jj1987

... While you benefited from the outcome, that employee was in the wrong for allowing you to check the bag with hazardous materials.

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This seems to go beyond a single employee; on multiple trips out of Cancun we have been told that we must check our light batteries. One security screening employee said the reason is that they could be used as weapons to hit someone over the head with.

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Originally Posted by Merlin Rhoda

This seems to go beyond a single employee; on multiple trips out of Cancun we have been told that we must check our light batteries. One security screening employee said the reason is that they could be used as weapons to hit someone over the head with.

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You all seem to be talking about canister light batteries, but they [Mexico] made me dispose of my spare double and triple A batteries. . . could not be carried in the carry-on, period.

I had to go back and check my NiMH batteries once. The logic was a working HID could be used to start a fire. And I was forced to throw out perfectly good C-sized alkalines like Jax as well. The problem is not the gate agents, its the mexican version of TSA's reasoning skills and ability to read their own regulations.

And I definitely would not ship anything to MX. If it arrives at all (dubious), you will have to pay a tariff.

India won't let you fly with AAs, either.

When I flew out of Coz in October, they won't let me return with something. I think it was lead. But Cancun did let me.

We've lost tiny custom molded lead weights at screening in cancun as well. Now everything goes in checked luggage until we get into the US.

The hand check guys in Cancun have tried to stop my canister batteries but there always seems to be someone that finally jsut says they are OK. I have never had any problem with unopened packaged batteries but if the package is open they are not allowed thru. But anymore I just leave all extra batteries with someone no matter where I am traveling. Cause it is easy for me to run to Wal-mart or Lowes and get more.

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Originally Posted by jj1987

Here's what I have so far. I sent an email to an airport manager at CUN to hopefully get some clarity.

FAA Says-
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...1.25.5&idno=49


IATA Says
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/d...-2012-V1.1.pdf




While you benefited from the outcome, that employee was in the wrong for allowing you to check the bag with hazardous materials.

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James they didn't allow me to check the carry on bag with the cannister and my regs, they insisted on it against my wishes. Then back in the states they became carry on again.

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Originally Posted by Jax

You all seem to be talking about canister light batteries, but they [Mexico] made me dispose of my spare double and triple A batteries. . . could not be carried in the carry-on, period.

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Yeah, well, I had 4 AAs and 6 AAAs loose in another bag and that got through with no problem.

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Originally Posted by rjack

The problem is not the gate agents, its the mexican version of TSA's reasoning skills and ability to read their own regulations.

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Exactly! Someone else from our group went through earlier when a different person was looking at the xray and had no issues with his canister light. I found out this particular security person has a history of being unreasonable and even stopping bags that were okayed by other agents. She definitely has a problem.

Last time I flew out of Coz in March, I had my carry-on full of all my heavy & expensive items. Can light(Li battery), Computers, backup lights(all lithium batteries), explorer reels, dive lead, etc. When I saw my bag go through the X-ray machine, it looked like a large black blob. I knew what was in it and had a hard time discerning what was what. Obviously I got pulled aside for a spot check, but it was busy so there was a long line. I was worried that they'd give me a hard time with my stuff until an obnoxious couple of American tourists decided to make a scene. Suddenly the line for spot checks got a lot shorter as we got sent on our way while the obnoxious ones got some extra scrutiny.

I have no doubt that I would have had to argue to save my dive batteries, but sometimes it pays to put up with the obnoxious tourists.

-Jon

when we came home from cun last november, they had an issue with larry's light battery. (but not mine for some reason. they were more concerned with my weights than his, though. whatev.) the only thing that saved us then was that the guy was actually nice, so it was more a 'ooh, i don't think this is allowed, sir.' 'well, checking it isn't allowed either.' 'let me get a supervisor.' and the supervisor said 'it's ok, let it go.' so basically, we didn't get someone who couldn't back down when he was shown to be incorrect. of course, this was before the stringent new rules that seem to have started up.

i dunno. maybe we'll disguise it as a sandwich or something next time. or a hat.

OK, it looks like I've gotten to the root of the issue here. I would appreciate if someone can provide proper translation.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/102508939/...les-Prohibidos

Page 12 has something about batteries, if someone would translate that, I'd appreciate it.

Page 14 refers to high intensity lighting
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6509/banneditems.png

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Lamparas de alta intensidad con bombillas y pilas
esta autorizado su transporte como equipaje de bodega (documentado o facturado), en un embalaje adecuado, deberan ir separados sus componentes como: pila,bobina u sus componentes, con sus respectivas etiquetas de identification

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If you ever have issues returning your gear to your country, can leave it with me at cancun. :-)

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Originally Posted by jj1987

OK, it looks like I've gotten to the root of the issue here. I would appreciate if someone can provide proper translation.

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From Google Translate:

High intensity lamps with bulbs and batteries
is authorized to transport as checked baggage (checked or checked), in a proper package components must be separated as: battery, coil or its components, their identification tags

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Originally Posted by Art Greenberg

From Google Translate:

High intensity lamps with bulbs and batteries
is authorized to transport as checked baggage (checked or checked), in a proper package components must be separated as: battery, coil or its components, their identification tags

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Yeah, which creates an issue-- US inbound flights can't have lithium batteries in checked baggage.

I have found that if you bring canister batteries from the Cancun airport, in your carry on, you will more than likely lose them... No matter what the "laws" say.

We bring the light batteries in our carry on, going TO Mexico, and put them in our checked bags, for the way home.


Sent from my Intergalactic iPhone

This was my first issue in several trips to Mexico. This was also my first time flying in and out of CZM though. I've never had issues in CUN.

One thing that was also different was they came around with a laminated sheet showing items restricted from carry-on bags. Scuba weights were specifically listed on this sheet. We had some in our carry-on that we were going to just get rid of but because we had to check a bag with the canister batteries we ended up checking the weights too.

A hard block scuba weight at the end of a weight belt would probably make a pretty effective weapon and may be able to crack a window in a plane.

Then why isn't is a restricted item in the US?

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Originally Posted by ams511

A hard block scuba weight at the end of a weight belt would probably make a pretty effective weapon and may be able to crack a window in a plane.

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So would a laptop battery, a broken off piece of a roller cart handle, a couple of rolls of quarters in a sock, a previous generation can light, etc. This approach of limiting anything from getting on a plane that could to turned into an improvised weapon doesn't work.

I'm leaving from Cancun this afternoon. After reading this thread, I've decided to put my batteries in my checked bags. We will see what happens.

With only a little training, a shoe lace is an effective weapon as a box cutter knife, of course neither is as good as a crutch or cane

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Originally Posted by a64pilot

of course neither is as good as a crutch or cane

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Oh my gosh, I think my mother may be a terrorist!

We made it back with no issues. I had my Li batteries in my checked bags and my buddy had his in his carry-on. The MX TSA in Cancun did go through his bag, but it had all sorts of electronics in it including a tablet, GoPro and cave light. They just wanted to know what everything was, but did not ask about batteries.

In our group,those who didn't check their dive gear got their bags searched. Fortunately it didn't take long. They are definitely worse than TSA.

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Originally Posted by a64pilot

...,of course neither is as good as a crutch or cane

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A buddy of mine has used a cane for several years due to a scaffolding collapse resulting in lumbar spine fractures and a motor nerve root injury. He says that he is developing his own martial art - cane fu.

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

Oh my gosh, I think my mother may be a terrorist!

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If you grew up in my house you have no doubt about "Mom" being a terrorist. :)

Tobin

When I flew home I had several camera's housing and video lights that got checked in Coz. I did a quick check when we got home but, last night I took them out to set up for a Mo trip. Several of the "do not remove" bolts got removed from the plexiglass cover on one of the Mike lights head. I found some of them in the smaller padded bag the camera rides. The bags were carry on on all the USA flights. Only time the bags were out of my possession was when the coz guards made me check it. It seems like a lot of work to see whats behind clear glass. FYI Mike I'll be calling tomorrow to get more do not remove boults.

Wow!

Checking the batteries is nothing new and not limited to Mexico. Coming back from Honduras in 2008, they made me check the Lithium scooter batteries.

Just like the US does not follow IATA regulations, neither do many countries in Central/South America. They have their own regulations regarding batteries and none of them even mention size or chemistry that I have been able to find. I usually just find the website for a regional airline and pull up the restricted items page. Here's Taca's page http://www.taca.com/eng/syi/bag/bageqnoperm.asp?id=14


Cheers,
Jon

Old thread but does anyone have any recent experience returning from CUN with lithion ion batteries in carry-on luggage?

I'll be in Mexico from the 15th to the 22nd so just seeing what I may expect. Thanks all.

I flew from Paris to Cancun inbound and outbound through Atlanta and onwards to Paris. Both times with Lithium cannisters in my carry on. I had to show them in security and got asked about battery type but had no issues after providing specifications.

Hi Sandy,

Lithium ion battery luggage protocol for international air carriers (carry-on or check-in luggage) is a huge mess these days. TSA won't give you a hard time about carry-on batteries, usually. In the USA put your Lithium pack in your carry-on, not in check-in luggage. If the battery pack is in a container and "padded", you should be good to go. Check the TSA and your Airline Regulations:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-informat...es-and-devices

Flying from Mexico (CUN) to the USA is a different animal. CUN airport security requires your Lithium batteries be checked in your luggage. If you get caught carrying lithium ion batteries, they "will check them in" at the security stop.

I have not had many problems at the CUN airport these days. They see a lot of cavers and cave divers coming through with all sorts of illumination gear. Go for it.

Jim

Thanks guys!

I think it depends on who you get in Mx and how nice you are. We were told by Protec some people carry on some people check on the way back to the US. Just for ease, we carried them on in a backpack both into and out of Mx and had no issues in December. They looked at the cans both times, but in Mx we just smiled and said "scuba" then smiled again and said "cenote" and they smiled back and waved us on.

Absolutely right,

Smile, have fun, and enjoy the culture and caves while you are there. You cannot go wrong.

The biggest problem I have had was coming back from England. They did a random check in the skyway. The inspectors were Arabian (go figure) and they couldn't understand what all my dive computers, lights, batteries, etc were about. They called a supervisor, who was English. I explained to her that I was there to cavedive, but that isn't very popular in England, so I got a strange look. She asked for a SCUBA "license". All my cards were in checked baggage, except my DAN card. Thank goodness she accepted that, because they had made the last call for boarding several minutes earlier, and were about to close the doors. I couldn't find any space in the overhead by then, so I had to ride 6 hours with my feet on my carry on :roll:

I printed a booklet of light and put next to it. Just stamp of TSA control on. Flight Prague - London - NY- Cancun

I haven't flown through Cancun in a while but Cozumel hasn't given me any issues the past few trips, including the trip a few weeks ago. They just waved us through. One person in our group did fly through Cancun and he didn't have any issues this time either. We were all using TillyTec lights though, which have sealed canisters and look a little different on xray. Not sure if that makes a difference or if it was just the people working security.

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Originally Posted by a64pilot

I've done it with no problem, years ago when I lived in Germany I had a video camera shipped to my German address so I could take it to Bosnia with me, I had import "issues" with that because it was a new camera and it looked like smuggling I guess, It was easily fixed though, but personal property I've never had an issue with. I have always wondered upon arrival back into the US how do you prove you left with the expensive watch, jewelry etc. and didn't buy them overseas?
The TSA people are idiots, customs people aren't as bad, actually they aren't customs anymore, but CBP now. I used to export several aircraft a year by flying them overseas, only problem I ever had was with the TSA idiots in Atlanta on my return.

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US Customs (CBP) Registration Certificate for personal effects taken abroad - Form 4457

Before you leave the US, you go to the CBP station, bring all your items with the form filled out correctly and with serial #'s noted. You can etch or permanently mark your own serial # if needed. The agent will verify them all, and then sign and stamp the certificate form. Take the completed/signed forms with you when you clear US CBP again.

As you noted, it should only be an issue with things that "look new."