Can You Put Vapes in a Suitcase?
A clear UK guide to whether you can put vapes in a suitcase, the hand luggage rule and how to pack safely.
The short answer
Hand luggage. Vapes must go in your hand luggage, never in a checked-in suitcase.
The reason
Lithium batteries are a fire risk in the hold.
E-liquid
Over 100ml can travel in the hold, sealed.
Can you put vapes in a suitcase?
Your vape device cannot go in a checked-in suitcase, though it can travel with you in the cabin. Vapes, e-cigarettes and spare batteries must go in your hand luggage and are not allowed in checked hold baggage, because their lithium batteries are a fire risk in the unmonitored hold. The cabin is really the only safe place for them.
It helps to know exactly what goes where, so you sail through security and arrive with everything intact. The device rule is strict, while e-liquid follows the usual liquid limits. This page explains where your vape can go, how to handle e-liquid and how to pack it all safely.
Let us look at the device rule, the e-liquid rules and packing tips.
Getting this right matters, since packing a vape in the wrong place can mean it is confiscated at check-in, leaving you without it for the whole trip. A couple of minutes of careful packing saves a lot of hassle at the airport.
The hand luggage rule
This really is the one rule you must not break. Vape devices, e-cigarettes and spare lithium batteries have to travel in the cabin in your hand luggage, since the hold is unmonitored and a battery fault there would be far more dangerous, which is why airlines and the CAA enforce it strictly.
- Devices in the cabin: all vapes and e-cigarettes go in hand luggage.
- Batteries too: spare batteries must travel in the cabin, terminals protected.
- Switched off: keep the device off and do not charge it in flight.
- Not in the hold: never pack a vape or battery in a checked suitcase.
Take care if your cabin bag gets moved to the hold. If your hand luggage is taken at the gate to be stowed below, you must remove your vape and batteries and keep them on you, since they cannot travel in the hold under any circumstances.
This catches a lot of people out on busy flights where larger cabin bags are routinely placed in the hold at the gate. The simplest habit is to keep your device and batteries in a small bag or your pockets, separate from the cabin bag that might get stowed.
Where vape items can go
UK rules, always confirm with your airline.
What about e-liquid?
E-liquid simply follows the standard liquid rules. In your hand luggage each bottle must be 100ml or less and fit in a single clear one-litre bag, while bottles over 100ml can go in your checked suitcase since e-liquid itself is not a battery risk.
Most vapers tend to carry the usual 10ml nic salt bottles, which sit comfortably within the limit, so several fit in your liquids bag with room to spare. If you want to take larger bottles, the hold is the place for them. Either way, seal every bottle well and stand them upright in a sealed bag, since cabin pressure changes can make a bottle leak. It is also wise to half-empty your tank before flying for the same reason.
If you use prefilled pods rather than a refillable tank, packing is even simpler, since sealed pods are far less prone to leaking than an open tank. Either way, keeping your e-liquid in a sealed bag protects the rest of your belongings just in case.
Need a travel-friendly setup?
A compact pod kit is easy to pack and simple to use on trips. Browse our starter kits or ask the team for advice.
How to pack your vape safely
A little bit of care makes for a much smoother trip. Keep your device and batteries in your hand luggage near the top for easy screening, switch everything off, protect spare batteries and seal your e-liquid bottles upright in a clear bag, so nothing leaks or gets flagged at security.
Pop spare batteries in a proper case or tape the terminals so they cannot short against keys or coins. Keep your liquids bag near the top of your bag so you can pull it out at the scanner. Empty or half-empty your tank to avoid a pressure leak, then carry a little kitchen roll just in case. Most importantly, always check your airline and the laws of your destination before you travel, since some countries restrict or ban vaping.
- Cabin, near the top: keep your device handy for separate screening.
- Protect batteries: use a case or tape the terminals against shorts.
- Seal e-liquid: upright bottles in a clear bag to avoid leaks.
- Check ahead: confirm airline rules and destination laws first.
If you want to dig deeper, see our explainer on whether you can take nicotine pouches on a plane. It pairs well with our guide on whether vapes set off smoke alarms and our look at whether you can vape in hotel rooms.
For the full set of guides, the travel vaping hub brings everything together in one place.
The bottom line: you cannot put your vape or spare batteries in a checked-in suitcase, since lithium batteries are a fire risk in the hold. They must travel in your hand luggage, switched off, with batteries protected. E-liquid under 100ml goes in your clear liquids bag in the cabin, while larger bottles can go in the hold. Seal bottles upright to avoid pressure leaks, then always check your airline and destination rules before you fly.
Packing for your next trip?
A compact pod kit is light, discreet and easy to pack in your hand luggage. Our vape starter kits are a great place to begin. You can also speak to the Vape Chaos team for advice on travelling with your device.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put vapes in a suitcase?
You cannot put your vape device or spare batteries in a checked-in suitcase. Vapes, e-cigarettes and lithium batteries must travel in your hand luggage in the cabin, because the hold is unmonitored and a battery fault there would be far more dangerous. E-liquid is different, with larger bottles allowed in the hold since e-liquid itself is not a battery risk.
Why can't vapes go in checked luggage?
Vapes are powered by lithium batteries, which can overheat and pose a fire risk. The aircraft hold is unmonitored during the flight, so a battery fault there would be far harder to deal with than in the cabin. For this reason airlines and the UK Civil Aviation Authority require all vapes and spare batteries to travel in your hand luggage instead.
Can you put vape liquid in a suitcase?
Yes, e-liquid can go in your checked suitcase, which is the place for any bottles over 100ml, since e-liquid itself is not a battery risk. In your hand luggage, each bottle must be 100ml or less and fit in a single clear one-litre bag. Seal all bottles well and stand them upright, since cabin pressure changes can cause leaks.
What happens if my cabin bag is moved to the hold?
If your hand luggage is taken at the gate to be stowed in the hold, you must remove your vape and any spare batteries and keep them on you. Vapes and lithium batteries cannot travel in the hold under any circumstances. It is worth keeping your device and batteries somewhere easy to reach so you can grab them quickly if this happens.
How should I pack my vape for a flight?
Keep your device and batteries in your hand luggage near the top for easy screening, then switch everything off. Protect spare batteries in a case or by taping the terminals. Seal e-liquid bottles upright in a clear bag and half-empty your tank to avoid pressure leaks. Always check your airline's policy and your destination's vaping laws before you travel.
