Carrying dangerous goods with you
Before your flight, please also find out about the regulations relating to carrying dangerous items allowed in your carry-on or checked baggage. The following list may not be exhaustive and may be supplemented at any time. Additional regulations may apply to certain flights. In addition, national regulations and the IATA (International Air Transport Association) dangerous goods regulations must be observed.
Electronic devices and batteries
Personal electronic devices and batteries are considered dangerous goods, as they may generate heat, short-circuit and catch fire when damaged. The following page provides detailed information about your personal electronic devices and batteries:
Radioisotopic pacemakers or other devices, including implanted devices, powered by lithium batteries.
May only be permitted on the body.
Airline approval required: No
Gas
Diving/snorkeling equipment may contain hazardous materials, e.g., in compressed air cylinders or underwater lamps.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: No
Airline approval required: No
Rules
- Compressed air bottles must be empty and the valves opened.
- For devices powered by lithium batteries: The specifications and restrictions for this type of battery must be observed.
Small oxygen gas or air cylinders for medical purposes.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: No
Airline approval required: Yes*
Rules
- Maximum pressure: 200 bar and maximum gross weight 5 kg per cylinder
- Cylinders may be used on board LH flights.
- They must be transported in manufacturer-approved outer packaging that protects the discharge valve.
Prohibited
- Worldwide: chemical oxygen generators
- For travel to/from the USA: Oxygen cylinders
- Personal oxygen cans (“canned oxygen”)
*This is not written authorization. It is issued upon request and with oral confirmation at the Service Center or at the latest at check-in at the airport.
Small gas cylinders transported to operate mechanical limbs. Also similarly sized spare cylinders if these are required to guarantee a sufficient supply during the journey.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Prohibited
- Gas cylinders for making sparkling water or similar products
Small gas cylinders filled with carbon dioxide or another suitable gas of hazard class 2.2, e.g., for self-inflating safety vests, Espuma bottles or for pumping up bicycle tires.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: Yes*
Rules for life vests and similar safety devices:
- No more than two items per passenger
- Maximum of two replacement cartridges per item
Other objects:
- No more than four cartridges
- Up to 50 milliliters per cartridge
Please note: For carbon dioxide, a gas cartridge with a water capacity of 50 ml corresponds to a 28 g cartridge.
*This is not written authorization. It is issued upon request and with oral confirmation at the Service Center or at the latest at check-in at the airport.
If you would like detailed information about taking avalanche backpacks on board, please visit the following page at Lufthansa.com:
Mercury
Small medical or clinical thermometers for personal use, with mercury.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: No
Airline approval required: No
Rules
- The thermometer must be stored in a protective cover.
- Only one per passenger is permitted.
Thermometer with mercury.
Checked baggage: No
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: Yes*
Rules
- Mercury thermometers may only be carried on board by representatives of governmental weather services and similar authorities.
- The thermometer must be packed in a sturdy outer container with a sealed inner lining or a bag made of sturdy, mercury-impermeable and puncture-proof material that prevents mercury from escaping regardless of the position it is in.
*This is not written authorization. It is issued upon request and with oral confirmation at the Service Center or at the latest at check-in at the airport.
Barometer with mercury.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: Yes*
Rules
- Mercury barometers may only be carried on board by representatives of governmental weather services and similar authorities.
- The barometer must be packed in a sturdy outer container with a sealed inner lining or a bag made of sturdy, mercury-impermeable and puncture-proof material that prevents mercury from escaping regardless of the position it is in.
*This is not written authorization. It is issued upon request and with oral confirmation at the Service Center or at the latest at check-in at the airport.
Flammable liquids
Non-infectious preparations/samples, packed with small amounts of flammable liquid include, for example, preparations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects and other invertebrates, packed in sturdy outer packaging with appropriate padding.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Fuel cell systems and replacement fuel cartridges for portable electronic devices such as cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers and camcorders. The devices must be securely packaged. Lithium batteries are not permitted.
Checked baggage: No
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Rules
- A maximum of 2 per passenger are permitted.
- Fuel cell systems must be labeled by the manufacturer as “Approved for carriage in aircraft cabin only” and with a manufacturer’s declaration that the system complies with the IEC PAS 62282-6-1 Ed. 1 specifications.
- It is not permitted for the fuel cells to charge the electronic device when the device is not in use.
- Each fuel cell cartridge must be accompanied by the manufacturer’s declaration that it complies with the specifications of IEC PAS 62282-6-1 Ed. 1, as well as with the specification of the maximum quantities and the type of cartridges.
- Fuel cells may only contain flammable liquids, corrosive substances, liquefied gases, substances that react with water or hydrogen in metal hydride.
- Fuel cell refills or fuel cell systems whose only function is to charge a battery within the device are not permitted.
- Charging fuel cells on board is not permitted, except for the use of replacement cartridges.
Maximum quantities for the individual fuel cell cartridges:
- For liquids: 200 ml
- For solids: 200 g
- For liquid gases: 120 ml for non-metal cartridges or 200 ml for metal fuel cell cartridges
- For hydrogen in metal hydride: a water capacity no greater than 120 ml
Flammable objects
Safety matches (a small box) or one small lighter that do not contain any non-absorbed liquid fuels other than liquid gas, for personal use.
Checked baggage: No
Carry-on baggage: Yes, but only on the person (not in the carry-on bag)
Airline approval required: No
Prohibited
- Lighter fuel
- Lighter refills
- “Strike-anywhere matches”
- “Blue Flame” lighters or cigar lighters
- Lighters that are operated by lithium batteries with no safety cap or other safety mechanisms that allow them to be activated unintentionally
Please note: No more than one small package of matches or one lighter per person. In some countries, e.g., India, taking matches or lighters of any kind is prohibited.
Other
Permeation devices for calibrating air quality monitoring systems.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: No
Airline approval required: No
Insulated packaging that contains cooled liquid nitrogen completely absorbed in porous material and is intended to be transported at low temperatures (“dry shipper”) and is used for non-dangerous products that are not subject to IATA dangerous goods regulations.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Rules
- The design of the insulated packaging must not allow a pressure build-up within the container.
- The release of cooled liquid nitrogen is not permitted regardless of how the insulated packaging is positioned.
- Hairspray
- Perfume and cologne
- Medication with alcohol
Rules
- The total net content of all such articles carried by a passenger may not exceed 2 kg or 2 liters per person in checked baggage and carry-on baggage combined.
- The net quantity of the individual items may not exceed 0.5 kg or 0.5 liters.
Please note: See also “Spray cans.”
Spray cans, for sports and personal use. The contents must not be flammable or toxic.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Rules
- The spray valves of the spray cans must be protected by a cap or another suitable mechanism to prevent the accidental release of the contents.
- No more than 2 kg or 2 liters (spray cans and toiletries) and no more than 0.5 kg or 0.5 liters per container per passenger may be carried.
Please note: See also “Medical products and toiletries.”
Curling irons with hydrocarbon.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Rules
- Only one curling iron per passenger.
- Curling irons may not be used on board at any time.
- The safety cover must be attached securely over the heating element.
- Gas refills for curling irons are not permitted either in checked baggage or in carry-on baggage.
Dry ice in solid form (carbon dioxide) is not subject to these regulations if it is used for packaging perishable goods.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: Yes*
Rules
- Max. 2.5 kg per passenger.
- The packaging must allow the carbon dioxide to be released.
- Checked bags containing dry ice must each be marked “Dry Ice.”
Please note: Passengers who take advantage of this exemption may carry a maximum total of 2.5 kg in their carry-on baggage and checked baggage combined.
*This is not written authorization. It is issued upon request and with oral confirmation at the Service Center or at the latest at check-in at the airport.
When carried along by employees of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on business trips.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: No
Airline approval required: Yes*
*This is not written authorization. It is issued upon request and with oral confirmation at the Service Center or at the latest at check-in at the airport.
Special regulations apply to the transportation of sports and hunting weapons, as well as ammunition. The transportation of weapons or ammunition must be communicated to our service center in advance. Please check in this luggage at least 120 minutes before departure on the day you travel.
Multiple weapons per passenger can be booked. Passengers have sole responsibility for complying with customs regulations, for the import permit and for other required documents. This applies both when entering a country and to transit.
For Lufthansa Group airlines, ammunition must be booked separately as “AMMO” in accordance with the latest IATA standard. Other airlines may not yet use this standard and only accept bookings without a separate “AMMO” element.
Weapons
Each firearm must be made safe and be unloaded and packed in a sealed transport container provided for this purpose. Several weapons per transport container are permitted.
Ammunition
A maximum of 5 kg of ammunition of types 1.4S, UN 0012 or UN 0014 per passenger are permitted. Ammunition must be packed in a solid container made of wood, metal or fiberboard and separated from the firearm. This container protects the ammunition from vibration, movement and unintended self-detonation. On flights to and from South Africa, the ammunition must be packed in a lockable ammunition box.
Charges
- Domestic: EUR 70
- Europe: EUR 80
- Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia: EUR 100
- Medium intercontinental routes: EUR 200
- Long intercontinental routes: EUR 250
Due to local security measures, additional airport taxes are always charged for weapons for departures from the following locations: South Africa USD 80, Italy up to EUR 90 (depending on the airport), Spain EUR 60, Turkey EUR 30, Zurich (CHF 55), Cyprus (EUR 25) and Geneva (CHF 200 or earlier than two hours before departure CHF 250).
The transportation of weapons to and from London Heathrow (LHR), Aberdeen (ABZ), Edinburgh (EDI), Inverness (INV) and Glasgow (GLA) is prohibited. Please select another airport in London or Great Britain if you would like to take approved sports or hunting weapons with you.
Transportation instructions
- Exclusively sports and hunting weapons, pistols and rifles plus safely packed ammunition (firearms cartridges) in hazard class 1.4S.
- Checked baggage: Yes (Note: separate reservations required for firearms and ammunition)
- Carry-on baggage: No
- On the person: No
- Carrier’s approval required: Yes (This is not written approval. It is issued upon request and with oral confirmation at the Service Center or at the latest at check-in at the airport.)
- Firearms and ammunition must be packed in different bags in accordance with the IATA dangerous goods regulations. If necessary, a special packing box must be used to separate both objects from each other.
- Firearms must be emptied.
- Only ammunition for personal use for sports and/or hunting purposes is permitted to be carried on aircraft that are used to transport passengers.
- Only ammunition in classes 1.4S, UN0012 or UN0014 may be transported.
- A maximum of 5 kg per passenger of gross ammunition (must be weighed) for personal use may be carried.
- Ammunition must be packed safely, i.e., in its standard commercial packaging.
Prohibited
- Ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles.
- Gunpowder may not be transported under any circumstances.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Rules
- In retail packaging, containing over 24% but less than 70% alcohol by volume
- In containers holding no more than 5 liters
- Per passenger, a net total of a maximum of 5 liters
Please note: There is no restriction on alcoholic beverages containing up to 24 vol. % alcohol; this also applies to small beer kegs (party kegs), as they are not under high pressure. This does not include pressurized kegs or bottles containing carbon dioxide or a similar gas, as used in the restaurant business.
Checked baggage: No
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Parachutes with pyrotechnic automatic activation mechanisms (AAD), e.g., Cypres AAD.
Checked baggage: Yes
Carry-on baggage: Yes
Airline approval required: No
Rules
- Written documentation from an authorized national authority containing details of the automatic activation mechanism (AAD) must be provided, as does the confirmation that the mechanism is not classified as being dangerous goods.
