The ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel meeting, held in Montreal, Canada, between the 6th and 10th October 2025, recommended an amendment to the exceptions for dangerous goods of the operator and provisions for passengers and crew relating to powerbanks and that this be incorporated in the 2025-2026 edition of the Technical Instructions through an addendum.
The wording of the addendum in Table 8-1 (equivalent to IATA Tabel 2.3A), which still needs ratification from the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC), is expected to be as follows:
Lithium Batteries (including powerbanks) and portable electronic devices:
…
i) Powerbanks:
– Must be carried as carry-on baggage
– Must not be recharged while onboard the aircraft
– Should not be used to recharge a portable electronic device while onboard the aircraft, and
– No more than two powerbanks may be carried per passenger.
This is more restrictive than the current requirements in the IATA DGR 67th Edition, so we will see another addendum issued by IATA (along with changes to numerous Operator variations).
The delay to the publication of the 2026 IATA Lithium Battery Guidance Document is in anticipation of the ICAO addendum being published.
Airside shops will need to be informed of this change to ensure passengers are unable to make purchases of multiple powerbanks after check-in and security screening.
A word of caution – Preventing passengers from charging devices with a powerbank, where in seat power is not available during a flight, will inevitably lead to non-compliance, with passengers still using the powerbanks, but in a more discrete manner, for example in their pockets or bags.
The ANC will determine the final text in the coming weeks.
During a recent airline audit in North America, I asked why all the shippers and freight forwarders are still sending paper copies of the Dangerous
As expected, ICAO have issued an addendum to the 2025–2026 Edition of the Technical Instructions (Doc 9284) which is applicable from the 27 March 2026.
Dangerous Goods Training The transport of dangerous goods is a critical process which must be done with strict adherence to the regulations issued by the
To celebrate being awarded the IATA Competency Training & Assessment Centre accreditation, we are offering a 10% discount off all our dangerous goods by air training courses.
