Battery in the cargo hold?

[Declan]

Hi All,
Just a quickie - My bike is in Central Asia at the moment and I will return for it this June. I need to install a new battery but I understand that its hard to get a good quality battery out there. So I'm wondering if I can just buy one at home and stick it in with my cargo hold luggage when I am returning? The acid comes separate from the battery and so in transit the battery would not be filled - or I guessed charged for that matter!

Any thoughts? Is it allowed?

Thanks...

[caminito]

Basically no, especially in the hold. You might however consider a lithium battery and carry it in your hand luggage, same rules as a laptop battery and similar size, insulate it carefully and when asked the battery is for your camera (doing a wedding )
added advantage is that they ere very light, I have had more luck with ballistic than Shorai

[Tony LEE]

where would the acid be? Doubt it would be allowed as checked luggage

[Warin]

The people who can say 'NO" are the airline... ask them. In writing .. you you get a written reply that you can use when you get to checkin.

You do need to say;
why
what - be specific, and give options.

Don't forget the weight limits ..batteries are not light.

[Tony LEE]

AGM or GEL batteries are more likely to be approved but may not suit the charging characteristics of your vehicle.

[Declan]

Carry on luggage gets subject to scrutiny alright but I don't recall being asked specifically as to what is in my checked in luggage? The acid normally comes in sealed vials.

[backofbeyond]

Hold luggage does get "looked" at. I brought a 70's Craven rack back from the USA a few years ago. It fitted perfectly into my suitcase and all the other luggage, clothes etc fitted around it so at a glance all you'd see was clothes. At baggage reclaim in London there was a sticker on the case saying the contents had been taken out and examined.