Understanding the difference between "contained in" and "packed with" equipment is crucial for compliance.
Contained IN Equipment: Battery is INSTALLED inside the device and powers it.
Examples:
- Laptop with battery installed
- Smartphone with battery
- Camera with battery in compartment
- Drone with battery inserted
Rules: ✅ Can go in carry-on OR checked baggage ✅ Device should be completely OFF (not sleep mode) ✅ Protected against accidental activation ✅ No Wh limit notification needed if ≤100Wh
Packed WITH Equipment: Battery is in the SAME PACKAGE as the device but NOT installed.
Examples:
- New phone + spare battery in same box
- Camera + extra batteries in case
- Laptop + additional battery pack
Rules: ⚠️ Battery itself = spare battery rules apply ⚠️ Must be in carry-on baggage ⚠️ Terminals must be protected ⚠️ Quantity limits apply (max 2 if 100-160Wh)
Why This Matters for OBC:
Scenario 1: Shipping a laptop with battery installed → "Contained in equipment" = can go checked or carry-on
Scenario 2: Shipping a laptop + 2 spare batteries in same box → Laptop = contained in equipment → Spare batteries = "packed with" = CARRY-ON ONLY with terminal protection
Scenario 3: Shipping 10 spare laptop batteries → All are spare batteries = CARRY-ON ONLY → Each must be protected → If any are 100-160Wh: max 2 of those
OnFlyGo Validation: Our system checks packaging configuration and alerts you if items need to be separated or carried differently.