Carrying your tablet in checked luggage when flying can certainly be convenient, but it does come with some risks. In this guide, we’ll dive into the key things to consider to help you decide if you should pack your tablet in your checked bags.
Overview of Checking Tablets
- Tablets generally allowed in checked bags, but regulations vary by airline
- Risk of theft and damage higher compared to carry-on
- Steps you can take to minimize risks
- Consider insurance for high-value devices
- Rules differ for spare and loose batteries
Checking a tablet allows you to save space in your carry-on, avoid pulling it out at security checkpoints, and prevent damage from stuffing overpacked bags. However, valuables in checked luggage are inherently more vulnerable to theft and damage.
Follow tips like using hard-shell cases, placing devices in the middle of bags, discreet tracking methods, and inspecting locks and bags upon arrival can help minimize risks. Still, checking high-value, fragile devices has tradeoffs to weigh.
Airlines Rules and Regulations
Airline regulations permit placing tablets and e-readers in checked baggage, though rules differ across carriers regarding lithium batteries and damages liability.
Permitted with General Electronics
The TSA guidelines classify tablets, e-readers, and similar larger devices under electronics that can be stored in checked luggage without specific restrictions. Most airlines follow these standards.
So iPads, Kindle Fires, Galaxy Tabs, and other tablets are cleared for transport in checked bags on nearly all domestic U.S. flights. Just avoid damaging the devices when packing them.
International and Budget Airlines Vary
Internationally, airline rules become more inconsistent. Budget carriers especially tend to have lower liability limits for checked baggage, so damages are less likely to be covered.
Review baggage policies carefully before choosing to check a tablet on international or basic economy domestic tickets where liability may differ. Also note that fees often apply for checked bags on international routes and no-frills fares.
Lithium Battery Rules
Lithium-ion batteries powering devices can pose fire risks if damaged, so separate loose batteries are restricted in checked bags—unless special tape is used to cover exposed terminals, preventing potential short circuits.
- Spare batteries over 100 watt-hours rating for large tablets must be carry-on.
- For batteries under that rating, covering terminals allows checking spares.
- Batteries installed in devices can be transported in checked bags without issue.
So if bringing extra batteries for your tablet, either carry them on or use safety tape on terminals if checked to comply with regulations.
Risks of Checking Tablets
While airlines do allow transporting tablets in checked luggage, doing so has clear downsides to weigh.
Theft
Valuables placed in checked bags leave your supervision once handed over to the airline. This creates potential for devices to be stolen, especially on international flights with multiple airport transfers.
The TSA notes over 100 bags are mishandled daily in the U.S. alone. And the thicker plastic shells of hard-side luggage can be more vulnerable to break-ins than soft bags in some cases.
So the direct risk of theft should be factored when considering checking a tablet. Steps like tracking luggage, avoiding overt valuables clues, and inspecting locks on arrival can help prevent issues from lost chain of custody while bags are transported.
Impacts and Drops
Rough baggage handling procedures also lead to damage risks being higher for electronics in checked bags. Drops, impacts from shifting heavy items, improper stacking, moisture exposure, and other mishaps can happen behind the scenes and result in a cracked tablet screen upon arrival.
While using protective cases reduces risks, checked devices still undergo significant vibration forces and potential impacts absent when carried onboard. So the chance of damage should be factored in as well.
Minimizing Risks when Checking Tablets
If you do opt to transport your tablet device in checked luggage, several precautions can help minimize risks of theft and damage.
Hard-Shell, Protective Case
A sturdy case is essential to prevent corner drops or crushing damage for checked devices. Look for military-grade cases with thick composite shells or rubberized edges rather than soft sleeves. Shock absorption and structural rigidity protects against percussive forces from shifts and drops.
Pack Strategically
How you place the packed tablet matters too. Avoid edges and top/bottom of bags most vulnerable to corner impacts or stacking damage. Instead, position closer to middle of luggage, cushioned by clothes layers above and below in your packing scheme for extra insulation.
Secure Locks; Discreet Tracking
Once handed over, checked bags leave your custody, so deterring temptation by locking zips and fasteners is key. TSA may open bags but relocks permitted locks after inspection. Avoid obvious valuables clues on exterior, especially for connections with risks of temporary theft.
Also consider slip-in tracking tiles or AirTags to monitor checked bag movement, alerting oddly diverted routes that could indicate potential theft. But don’t rely on tracking alone—take preventative packing measures as well.
Document Contents
Should damage or theft occur, itemizing contents protects against liability limits on claims. Detailing each device and value in checked bags, including tablet specs, provides proof needed for higher reimbursement from airlines. Photos of expensive items before packing also help substantiate claims.
Inspect Upon Arrival
Immediately assessing luggage condition and lock integrity when retrieving checked bags helps identify potential mishandling, damages, or theft more promptly to initiate claims. Testing packed devices for functionality right away determines issues possibly missed by cursory airline inspections. This avoids later discovering problems at hotels or destinations.
Special Liability Insurance
For protecting valuable electronic gear beyond airlines’ base liabilities, specialty insurance plans can reimburse stolen or damaged tablets and accessories during travel.
Airline Liability Has Limits
Airline checked baggage liability domestically caps around $3,800 per traveler in reimbursements, even with itemized contents declarations. Internationally this figure is closer to $1,780, with budget carriers providing even less coverage.
For newer iPads, MacBooks, and other higher value electronics, costs can easily exceed standard baggage allowances. Special insurance bridges this gap.
Plans Fill Coverage Gap
Policies like the Allianz Travel Insurance checked baggage upgrade provide additional loss, theft, or damage protection up to $2,500 per item. This extends beyond airline caps for gear like tablets while retaining other travel policy benefits too. Other insurers offer similar upgraded electronic equipment coverage as well.
When checking more costly tablets, cameras, or laptops understanding liability limits and considering supplemental plans helps safeguard significant personal investments from undue travel risks.
Table of Airline Checked Baggage Liabilities
| Airline | Liability Limit |
|---|---|
| Delta | $3,500 |
| American | $3,800 |
| Southwest | $3,500 |
| United | $3,500 |
| JetBlue | $3,500 |
| Alaska | $3,500 |
| Frontier | $3,500 |
| Internationally | $1,780 |
| Budget Carriers | As low as $660 |
Key Takeaways
- Airlines generally allow transporting tablets in checked luggage but have liability limits if devices are damaged or stolen.
- Specialty insurance can provide additional coverage beyond airline caps for high value electronics.
- Hard shell cases, strategic packing methods, luggage tracking, and other steps help minimize risks.
- However, increased likelihood of impacts, drops, theft, or moisture exposure for checked items should also be factored in.
So while checking a tablet or e-reader can be convenient for travel, proactive precautions are advised to avoid issues losing custody of devices or potential mishandling out of sight once bags are checked. Following tips here minimizes common risks for valuables in luggage.
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