Will a carry on backpack with a built in usb port get through TSA?

[maryj11]

I was just watching things banned in 2025. I got my son’s girlfriend a travel backpack with a built in USB port for her birthday. This backpack is for a carry on not checked bag. This YouTube video said something about smart luggage and USB ports. Has anyone had trouble with carry on backpack with built in USB port?

 

[BrianL]

If the concern is the battery, it should be fine as a carry-on, but not as checked luggage. Rechargeable batteries are not allowed in the checked baggage compartment. I am not sure if there are concerns about "smart luggage" for carry-on, but I wouldn't think so.

 

[_19disnA]

I agree, check the TSA or specific airline website for the latest rules about lithium batteries either as checked luggage or carry-ons. In general you want to limit the amount of any type of large lithium batteries you bring with you when flying. Better to leave them at home.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I had 3 rechargeable batteries in my carryon last week going through MCO and had no problems at all. One was a smaller tube style and 2 were larger brick style. They did not stop to look at any of them even though they were all together in my carryon.

What did set off a flag for them was my Chipotle burrito bowl with the tin lid.

 

[jimmymc]

Carry on is fine.

If they need to check the bag, for whatever reason, they will need to remove the battery and keep that in their carry on.

 

[EACarlson]

The big restriction change domestically is that some airlines have put rules in place about where the battery pack has to be while using it. SW will no longer allow you to have the battery pack in the bag and use the port on the backpack, they now require that the batter be out in the open. That is probably what the video was referring to. I have bags with the USB port, but it's just the port attached to a cable inside the bag where you would install the battery, if the battery is not installed there you will be fine.

 

[maryj11]

The big restriction change domestically is that some airlines have put rules in place about where the battery pack has to be while using it. SW will no longer allow you to have the battery pack in the bag and use the port on the backpack, they now require that the batter be out in the open. That is probably what the video was referring to. I have bags with the USB port, but it's just the port attached to a cable inside the bag where you would install the battery, if the battery is not installed there you will be fine.

Okay thanks!

 

[_19disnA]

I don't know the size of the battery the OP is referring to, but this shows it matters. This what the official TSA site shows:

(The concern with lithium batteries is they are nearly impossible to extinguish if they catch fire from a short, being dropped or damaged.)