Summer vacation marks peak travel season abroad, and with this year’s global heatwave, many travelers bring along the popular handheld fans that have become trendy in recent years. However, the confiscated items bins at airport security checkpoints are always filled with numerous seized handheld fans each year.
What types of portable handheld fans are available, and how can you identify them? What regulations apply when boarding international flights? Here’s an explanation:
Image source: United Daily News
Recently, a netizen shared on Threads that while preparing to depart at Taoyuan Airport, they noticed the confiscated items basket at the security checkpoint was filled with various handheld fans, piled up like a small mountain—an astonishing sight that sparked heated discussion. This incident shows that many people still don’t fully understand the regulations regarding carrying portable handheld fans abroad, leading to their items being confiscated during security screening.。
Image source: Press Materials
1. How to identify types of portable handheld fans?
Handheld portable fans on the market are primarily divided into three categories based on battery type: lithium-ion, lead-acid, and dry cell.
Currently, rechargeable lithium battery handheld fans are the most common type, available in two variants: built-in lithium battery and replaceable (18650 lithium battery). Their characteristics include: qualified products must pass BSMI (Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection) certification and bear the mark, charging port uses USB connector, and unit price is relatively high (several hundred to over a thousand yuan).
Lead-acid battery handheld fans use rechargeable lead-acid batteries with higher risks. Due to their low unit price, they are commonly found as prizes at night markets or claw machines. Their characteristics include round DC charging ports, larger and heavier appearance, larger chargers or adapters, and lack of BSMI certification or labels such as Lead-acid, SLA, VRLA, or Pb. Due to safety concerns, these products cannot be carried on airplanes.
Battery-powered handheld fans use AA or AAA batteries, have no charging port or charger, require battery replacement when power runs out, and are priced lower.
Below is a comparison of three handheld fans:
2. What regulations apply to carrying handheld fans on international flights?
Handheld fans using different battery types have different boarding regulations:
A. Built-in lithium battery:
Can be carried on but not checked in; the device must have clear specification markings, and the capacity must be less than 100Wh.
B. Dry Cell Type:
If the handheld fan has an accessible battery compartment and uses dry batteries, it can be carried on board or checked in. However, if you choose to check it in, be sure to remove and separately store the installed dry batteries to prevent them from accidentally activating due to impact inside the suitcase. Additionally, it is recommended to pack it in your carry-on luggage to avoid customs inspections that could disrupt your travel plans.
C. Lead-acid battery type:
No boarding allowed. According to Article 49-1, Paragraph 4 of the Civil Aviation Act, the carrying or use of lighters, power banks or rechargeable batteries, flammable liquids and gases, and similar items is prohibited. Violators may be fined NT$10,000 to NT$50,000 according to regulations. If found during inspection for international travel, you will usually be required to discard them.
Here are precautions from Taipower’s fan page for using handheld portable fans:
Source: KOCPC Chinese