Can you take a tablet or iPad on a plane? Rules by country

Tablets and phones on flights in and from Japan

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

Tablets and smartphones: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
Where	Allowed?	What applies
In the cabin	Yes	Yes. Tablets and smartphones with a lithium-ion battery of 160Wh or less can be carried on.
In checked baggage	Conditions	Allowed if switched completely off and protected from damage. Switching off is required when the battery is over 2.7Wh.

Narita AirportNarita's FAQ says there is no restriction on lithium-ion batteries built into products such as computers, digital cameras and mobile phones.Narita International Airport FAQ

Phones and tablets at the checkpoint and in the air

Phones, tablets and e-readers share one rule for carriage. Screening, use on board and faulty batteries are where the sources add detail.

Phones and music players are listed beside tablets: The TSA has separate entries for Tablets, Cell Phones and iPod, each marked yes for carry-on and checked bags. Australia's CASA files iPhone and iPod under mobile phones, which it sends to its entry for devices containing lithium cells, while its tablet entry states that no conditions apply. GOV.UK adds the MP3 player to its table of devices allowed in hand and hold luggage.
At the checkpoint the phone leaves your pocket: The European Commission's guidance tells passengers to remove metal items from their person, possibly including the mobile phone, and place them in a tray. South Korea's screening steps put phones, wallets, keys and coins in a basket for X-ray, with a tip attached: slip the phone and wallet into your bag before it goes on the belt, to prevent theft and loss.
Narita's tray request does not name tablets: Narita asks for personal computers and other large electronic devices to be placed in a separate tray, without naming tablets or phones. For handheld devices its FAQ offers one data point: portable game consoles can be brought into the cabin without any issues, while large stationary consoles need a tray. The TSA's Tablets entry carries no removal instruction, unlike its Laptops entry.
Damaged or recalled devices: A phone or tablet whose battery is damaged, defective or recalled is not treated like a healthy one. Hong Kong's CAD reminds passengers not to transport such batteries or devices on aircraft at all, and EASA says passengers should avoid carrying them. The TSA still lists the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 as refused in carry-on and checked bags under an emergency order.

Tablets and phones: the rule country by country

Extra conditions apply in Mainland China.

Tablets and smartphones: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying from	Carry-on	Checked bag	What the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation Bureau	Yes	With limits	Tablets and smartphones with a lithium-ion battery of 160Wh or less can be carried on. Source
United StatesTSA	Yes	Yes	Tablets and cell phones are listed as allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. For details TSA refers to the FAA regulations on portable electronic devices.TSA entry: Tablets, Cell Phones Source
European UnionEuropean Commission, EASA	Yes	With limits	Carry phones and tablets in hand baggage, not checked baggage. If a device must go in checked baggage (not recommended), it has to be completely switched off and protected from accidental activation. Source
United KingdomUK Government	Yes	Yes	Mobile phones and tablet devices are allowed in hand luggage and hold luggage. Make sure yours is charged: if a device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft. Source
South KoreaMOLIT Aviation Security 365	Yes	Yes	Mobile phones are named among devices with a lithium battery installed: allowed in carry-on and checked baggage at 100Wh or less (lithium-ion); over 100Wh 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	Tablet computers and cellular phones are named as portable electronic devices allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. In checked baggage they must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode) and protected from damage. 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	Tablets and mobile phones can go in carry-on or checked baggage and should be carried in carry-on. If checked, the device must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode) and protected from damage.CASA Pack Right entry: Tablet (iPad etc), Mobile phones, 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.

Buying tablets and phones in Japan

Where to buy: Electronics shops. Prepaid SIM and eSIM are sold at airports.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take a tablet or iPad on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. Tablets and smartphones with a lithium-ion battery of 160Wh or less can be carried on. In checked baggage: Allowed if switched completely off and protected from damage. Switching off is required when the battery is over 2.7Wh.

Can you use an iPad on a plane?

Yes, under normal circumstances, in airplane mode. EASA says laptops, eReaders and tablets can be used on board for working, reading or watching films, and that airlines require airplane mode because devices may interfere with aircraft equipment. Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau states that operating a phone or other electronic device that could endanger safe flight, without good reason, is prohibited by law.

Can you take a Kindle or e-reader on a plane?

Yes. Australia's CASA lists e-Reader, Kindle and Kobo in its tablet category, accepted in checked and carry-on baggage with no conditions. EASA names eReaders among the devices passengers normally use during a flight. Under Japan's list an e-reader is a portable electronic device: with a lithium-ion battery of 160Wh or less it may travel in the cabin or the hold.

Does the TSA allow a tablet in carry-on bags?

Tablets and cell phones are listed as allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. For details TSA refers to the FAA regulations on portable electronic devices.

Can you take a tablet in hand luggage in the UK or Europe?

The United Kingdom: Mobile phones and tablet devices are allowed in hand luggage and hold luggage. Make sure yours is charged: if a device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft. The European Union: Carry phones and tablets in hand baggage, not checked baggage. If a device must go in checked baggage (not recommended), it has to be completely switched off and protected from accidental activation.

Can you put a tablet in checked luggage?

Allowed if switched completely off and protected from damage. Switching off is required when the battery is over 2.7Wh.

What is the rule for tablets and phones on flights from Mainland China, South Korea and Hong Kong?

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. South Korea: Mobile phones are named among devices with a lithium battery installed: allowed in carry-on and checked baggage at 100Wh or less (lithium-ion); over 100Wh up to 160Wh needs airline approval. Hong Kong: Tablet computers and cellular phones are named as portable electronic devices allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. In checked baggage they must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode) and protected from damage.

Related items

Sources for this page

Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (MLIT) — Items restricted in carry-on and checked baggage (updated 24 April 2026)checked October 2, 2026
Narita International Airport — FAQ: prohibited itemschecked October 2, 2026
Japan Civil Aviation Bureau — Limits on the use of electronic devices on board (Japanese)checked October 2, 2026
Narita International Airport — FAQ: security checkchecked October 2, 2026
TSA — What Can I Bring?: Tablets + Cell Phoneschecked October 1, 2026
EASA — Dangerous goodschecked October 1, 2026
GOV.UK — Hand luggage restrictions: Electronic devices and electrical itemschecked October 1, 2026
Aviation Security 365 (MOLIT / KOTSA) — Dangerous goodschecked October 1, 2026
Taiwan CAA — Dangerous goods passengers and crew may carrychecked October 1, 2026
Civil Aviation Department (Hong Kong) — Packing Tips for Air Passenger: Provisions for Dangerous Goods Carried by Passenger and Crewchecked October 1, 2026
CAAC — Air travel basics (航空旅行常识)checked October 1, 2026
CASA — Pack Right: Tablet (iPad etc)checked October 1, 2026
European Commission — Information for air travellerschecked October 1, 2026
Civil Aviation Department (Hong Kong) — Packing Tips for Air Passengerschecked October 1, 2026
Aviation Security 365 (MOLIT / KOTSA) — Security screening procedurechecked October 1, 2026
GOV.UK — Hand luggage restrictions at UK airportschecked October 1, 2026