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A white Apple AirTag in a brown leather case attached to a set of keys on a wooden table, with a toy tractor beside it

Photo: Apple AirTag (51334123725).jpg by ajay_suresh (CC BY 2.0, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

Can you put an AirTag in checked luggage?

Carry-on in JapanYes
Checked bag in JapanConditions

AirTags can go in carry-on in Japan; checked bags have conditions.

Carry-on: Yes. A tracker tag is a portable electronic device with a lithium metal coin cell, allowed when the cell holds 2g of lithium or less. Checked baggage: Yes, if the tag's cell holds 0.3g of lithium or less.

AirTags on flights in and from Japan

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

AirTags and luggage trackers: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
WhereAllowed?What applies
In the cabinYesYes. A tracker tag is a portable electronic device with a lithium metal coin cell, allowed when the cell holds 2g of lithium or less.
In checked baggageConditionsYes, if the tag's cell holds 0.3g of lithium or less. Japan's list requires a device in checked baggage to be switched completely off only above 0.3g of lithium metal, so a tag at or below that can stay on inside your suitcase.

For a tracker with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery the same line is drawn at 2.7Wh.

AirTag, Tile and SmartTag: what the lists call a luggage tracker

A tracker is the rare device meant to stay switched on inside a checked suitcase, and several authorities and ANA address it by name.

ANA names Bluetooth tracking devices
ANA's FAQ has a supplementary note for small devices. One whose lithium metal cells total 0.3g or less, or whose lithium-ion batteries total 2.7Wh or less, can be carried on or checked with the power on. The example ANA gives is a tracking device that uses Bluetooth, described as an electronic device that provides location information.
ANA's radio condition: 100 milliwatts
The same ANA note carries a condition on radio output. For an electronic device that is transmitting radio waves for communication, ANA limits the powered-on allowance to devices whose output is 100 milliwatts or less.
Brand names abroad
Australia's CASA titles its entry Bluetooth, AirTag, Tile, SmartTag and files it under Baggage tracker - Bluetooth. The FAA's battery table has a Location Trackers row with Air tags and tile tracker as examples, and its baggage page tells travellers to check with the airline before travelling with these devices. Hong Kong's CAD adds baggage tracking devices to its examples of portable electronic devices.
A spare coin cell for the tag
A replacement cell carried loose is a spare lithium metal battery, not part of the tag. Japan's list marks spares of 2g or less with a circle for the cabin and a cross for checked baggage. South Korea's list gives the same answer for spare button-type lithium batteries of the CR series.
Smart luggage is measured with the same figures
Japan's list uses 0.3g and 2.7Wh a second time, for bags with a battery built in or attached. A bag whose battery is at or under either figure can be carried on or checked. Above it, the bag stays in the cabin when the battery is not removed.
Carry-onChecked bag
Button and coin cell batteriesCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsSmart luggage (with a built-in battery)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditions

AirTags: the rule country by country

Extra conditions apply in Australia.

AirTags and luggage trackers: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying fromCarry-onChecked bagWhat the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation BureauYesWith limitsA tracker tag is a portable electronic device with a lithium metal coin cell, allowed when the cell holds 2g of lithium or less. Source
United StatesTSAYesWith limitsLocation trackers such as AirTags and Tile can be carried on. In checked baggage they are allowed only with a lithium content of 0.3 grams or less, or a lithium-ion battery of 2.7 Wh or less. Check with the airline before travelling. Source
United KingdomUK GovernmentYesWith limitsA tracker tag is a portable electronic device with a lithium battery: carry-on or checked. In checked baggage a device must be completely switched off only if it exceeds 0.3 g of lithium metal or 2.7 Wh (lithium-ion). Source
South KoreaMOLIT Aviation Security 365YesYesA device fitted with a lithium metal battery of 2g or less, generally a CR-type button lithium battery, may be carried on or checked. Source
TaiwanCivil Aviation AdministrationYesWith limitsA tracker tag is a portable electronic device with a lithium battery: hand baggage is recommended. If checked, a device must be completely switched off only when it exceeds 0.3 g of lithium metal or 2.7 Wh (lithium-ion). Source
Hong KongCivil Aviation DepartmentYesWith limitsBaggage tracking devices are named among portable electronic devices allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. In checked baggage a device must be completely switched off only if its lithium metal content exceeds 0.3 g. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASAWith limitsWith limitsBluetooth baggage trackers such as AirTag, Tile and SmartTag can be carried on or checked in, with a lithium metal content of 0.3 grams or less, or a lithium ion battery of 2.7 Wh or less.CASA Pack Right entry: Bluetooth, AirTag, Tile, SmartTag 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 put an AirTag in checked luggage?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. A tracker tag is a portable electronic device with a lithium metal coin cell, allowed when the cell holds 2g of lithium or less. In checked baggage: Yes, if the tag's cell holds 0.3g of lithium or less. Japan's list requires a device in checked baggage to be switched completely off only above 0.3g of lithium metal, so a tag at or below that can stay on inside your suitcase.

Do you have to turn off an AirTag before checking a suitcase in Japan?

No, when its cell holds 0.3g of lithium or less. Japan's list requires a device in checked baggage to be switched completely off only above that figure. ANA's FAQ says a device at or under 0.3g can be carried on or checked with the power on, and gives Bluetooth tracking devices as its example.

Are Tile and SmartTag trackers allowed in checked baggage?

Yes, within the battery figures. Australia's CASA names Tile and SmartTag alongside AirTag and flags the entry as can be checked-in and can be carried-on, with lithium metal batteries of 0.3 grams or less or lithium ion batteries of 2.7 WH or less. The FAA's table names the tile tracker with the same pair of figures for checked baggage.

Can you carry an AirTag in a carry-on bag?

Yes. Japan's list accepts a portable electronic device holding a lithium metal battery of 2g or less in the cabin. Hong Kong's CAD lists baggage tracking devices among the portable electronic devices it ticks for carry-on baggage, and the FAA's Location Trackers row is marked YES for carry on.

Does the TSA allow an AirTag in carry-on bags?

Location trackers such as AirTags and Tile can be carried on. In checked baggage they are allowed only with a lithium content of 0.3 grams or less, or a lithium-ion battery of 2.7 Wh or less. Check with the airline before travelling.

What is the rule for AirTags on flights from Australia and Hong Kong?

Australia: Bluetooth baggage trackers such as AirTag, Tile and SmartTag can be carried on or checked in, with a lithium metal content of 0.3 grams or less, or a lithium ion battery of 2.7 Wh or less. Hong Kong: Baggage tracking devices are named among portable electronic devices allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. In checked baggage a device must be completely switched off only if its lithium metal content exceeds 0.3 g.

Related items

Batteries & electronicsCarry-onChecked bag
Smart luggage (with a built-in battery)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsButton and coin cell batteriesCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsLithium batteriesCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsWireless earbuds and headphonesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsLuggage scalesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsPower banks (portable chargers)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: no
Show all 22Chargers and AC adaptersCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesBatteries (AA, AAA, rechargeable)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsLaptopsCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsTablets and smartphonesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsCamerasCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsWired earphones and headphonesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesE-cigarettes and heated tobaccoCarry-on: yesChecked bag: noGenerators and enginesCarry-on: noChecked bag: conditionsSoldering irons and glue gunsCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsMagnetsCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsElectric wheelchairs and mobility scootersCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsPortable fans (handheld and neck fans)Carry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsCharging cables and USB cablesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesFlashlights and torchesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsNintendo Switch and game consolesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsBeauty devices (facial and skincare)Carry-on: yesChecked bag: conditions

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Sources for this page

  1. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (MLIT) — Items restricted in carry-on and checked baggage (updated 24 April 2026)
  2. FAA — PackSafe: Airline Passengers and Batteries
  3. UK Civil Aviation Authority — What items can I travel with and which are restricted
  4. Aviation Security 365 (MOLIT / KOTSA) — Items restricted on the plane: batteries
  5. Taiwan CAA — Dangerous goods passengers and crew may carry
  6. Civil Aviation Department (Hong Kong) — Packing Tips for Air Passenger: Provisions for Dangerous Goods Carried by Passenger and Crew
  7. CASA — Pack Right: Bluetooth, AirTag, Tile, SmartTag
  8. ANA — FAQ: Handling of electronic devices with built-in lithium-ion batteries and power banks (Japanese)