Can you take a portable fan on a plane? Rules by country

Portable fans on flights in and from Japan

The rule for portable fans comes from the Civil Aviation Bureau's list of restricted items and is the same on domestic and international flights.

Portable fans (handheld and neck fans): carry-on and checked baggage in Japan

Where	Allowed?	What applies
In the cabin	Yes	Yes. A rechargeable handheld fan is a portable electronic device with a lithium-ion battery, which Japan allows in the cabin when the battery is 160Wh or less. A fan that runs on alkaline batteries is fine too: those batteries are permitted in the cabin and in checked baggage.
In checked baggage	Conditions	Yes, switched completely off. A device with a lithium-ion battery over 2.7Wh must be fully off in checked baggage, and packed so that it cannot switch on or get damaged.

Neck fans and neck coolers with a built-in battery fall under the same rule. A device whose battery is over 160Wh is not allowed in the cabin or in checked baggage.

Handheld fans, neck fans and neck coolers: what the airlines say

Japan's national list has no row for fans, but several airlines flying in Japan answer the question by name.

JAL answers for the handheld fan by name: JAL's FAQ for domestic flights says a rechargeable handheld fan can be carried on or checked. Its single cut-off is the battery: a fan whose lithium-ion battery is rated above 160Wh is refused in the cabin and at the check-in counter alike. For a checked fan JAL asks that the power is turned completely off.
A fan that can also charge a phone: Some handheld fans work as a battery for other devices. JAL's FAQ says such a fan is not included in the limit on the number of power banks. Its example: 2 power banks that qualify for the cabin plus 1 handheld fan with a power bank function can all be carried on.
Neck coolers: JAL sorts them by how they cool: JAL's FAQ on ice packs and neck coolers splits neck coolers by type. The kind that is chilled or frozen before use can be carried on or checked when it is a product in general circulation. For the kind with a built-in battery, JAL says the answer differs with the battery used and sends readers to its battery answer.
ANA, Skymark and Peach name the fan too: ANA's domestic FAQ lists the handheld fan as accepted in the cabin and at check-in, with a footnote for models that use a lithium-ion battery. Skymark's FAQ on portable fans gives the same answer and adds that sleep mode does not count as off. Peach's FAQ names portable fans among electronic devices powered by lithium batteries, whose handling depends on battery capacity.
When the fan shows no Wh figure: JAL's fan answer covers a product with no Wh figure printed on it and gives the sum: ampere-hours multiplied by volts equals watt-hours. Skymark's page on lithium devices adds the step that comes before it for a label in mAh: 1000mAh equals 1Ah.

Carry-onChecked bag

Power banks (portable chargers)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: no Lithium batteriesCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditions

Portable fans: the rule country by country

Extra conditions apply in Mainland China.

Portable fans (handheld and neck fans): carry-on and checked baggage rules by country

Flying from	Carry-on	Checked bag	What the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation Bureau	Yes	With limits	A rechargeable handheld fan is a portable electronic device with a lithium-ion battery, which Japan allows in the cabin when the battery is 160Wh or less. Source
United StatesTSA	Yes	With limits	Electric fans are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. A device powered by a lithium battery must be completely powered off in checked baggage and protected to prevent unintentional activation or damage.TSA entry: Electric Fans Source
European UnionEuropean Commission, EASA	Yes	With limits	A rechargeable fan is a portable electronic device with a lithium battery: carry it in hand baggage. If it must go in checked baggage (not recommended), it has to be completely switched off and protected from accidental activation. Source
United KingdomUK Government	Yes	With limits	A fan with a lithium battery is a portable electronic device: carry-on or checked, up to 100 Wh without airline approval. It should be carried on; if checked with a battery over 2.7 Wh it must be completely switched off. Source
South KoreaMOLIT Aviation Security 365	Yes	Yes	A lithium-ion battery of 100Wh or less installed in an electronic device may be carried on or checked. Over 100Wh and up to 160Wh needs airline approval. Source
TaiwanCivil Aviation Administration	Yes	With limits	A portable electronic device with a lithium battery: carrying it in hand baggage is recommended. If checked with a lithium-ion battery over 2.7 Wh, it must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode). Source
Hong KongCivil Aviation Department	Yes	With limits	A fan with a lithium battery is a portable electronic device: carry-on and checked baggage, each battery up to 100 Wh. In checked baggage a device whose lithium ion battery exceeds 2.7 Wh must be completely switched off. Source
Mainland ChinaCAAC	With limits	With limits	Lithium battery in a portable device: up to 100Wh can be carried on; over 100Wh and up to 160Wh needs airline approval. Checked: lithium batteries are banned and digital electronics should not be packed; ask the airline about such devices. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASA	Yes	With limits	A fan with a lithium battery is a portable electronic device: carry-on or checked, lithium ion up to 100 Wh. It should be carried on; if checked it must be completely switched off and protected from damage and unintentional activation.CASA Pack Right entry: Portable electronic devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells, battery or batteries (watches, calculators, cameras, mobile phones, laptops, camcorders etc.) Source

Each row comes from that authority's own page. Airlines can be stricter, and the screening officer has the final say.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take a portable fan on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. A rechargeable handheld fan is a portable electronic device with a lithium-ion battery, which Japan allows in the cabin when the battery is 160Wh or less. A fan that runs on alkaline batteries is fine too: those batteries are permitted in the cabin and in checked baggage. In checked baggage: Yes, switched completely off. A device with a lithium-ion battery over 2.7Wh must be fully off in checked baggage, and packed so that it cannot switch on or get damaged.

Can you take a neck fan on a plane in Japan?

Yes. Japan's list does not name neck fans. It sorts any device with a built-in lithium-ion battery under portable electronic devices, accepted in the cabin and as checked baggage at 160Wh or less. JAL's FAQ takes the same approach for a neck cooler with a built-in battery: the answer differs with the battery used.

Do you have to switch off a handheld fan before it goes in a checked suitcase?

Yes, when the fan has a lithium-ion battery. Skymark's FAQ asks for the power to be completely off, with sleep mode not accepted, and for steps against malfunction or breakage such as wrapping the fan in clothing or packing it in a sturdy suitcase. Japan's list words the switch-off duty for devices over 2.7Wh.

Is a fan that runs on AA batteries allowed on a plane?

Yes. A fan powered by dry cells sits outside the lithium rows. Japan's list marks dry batteries with a circle for the cabin and for checked baggage and labels them non-dangerous goods. ANA's domestic FAQ has one line for dry batteries and button-type batteries and accepts them in both.

Does the TSA allow a portable fan in carry-on bags?

Electric fans are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. A device powered by a lithium battery must be completely powered off in checked baggage and protected to prevent unintentional activation or damage.

Can you put a portable fan in checked luggage?

Yes, switched completely off. A device with a lithium-ion battery over 2.7Wh must be fully off in checked baggage, and packed so that it cannot switch on or get damaged.

What is the rule for portable fans on flights from Mainland China?

Mainland China: Lithium battery in a portable device: up to 100Wh can be carried on; over 100Wh and up to 160Wh needs airline approval. Checked: lithium batteries are banned and digital electronics should not be packed; ask the airline about such devices.

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