Medical equipment and specimens

Before flying, it's important to know how to pack your medical equipment and specimens correctly while adhering to the dangerous goods regulations. 

Find more information to plan your trip if you require the use of your medical equipment (e.g. oxygen, CPAP etc) onboard at Specific Needs

On this page

Select the option that suits your needs:

Dry shipper (insulated packaging containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen)

How you can carry a Dry Shipper and requirements of how to pack:

Airline approval required No
Carry-on baggage Yes
Checked baggage Yes
dry shipper requirements

Requirements

When packed in checked or carry-on baggage:

  • refrigerated liquid nitrogen must be fully absorbed in a porous material,
  • insulated packaging does not allow build-up of pressure,
  • irrespective of orientation the insulated packaging would not permit the release of any refrigerated liquid nitrogen, and
  • must not contain dangerous goods

Note: For Carry-on baggage with international flights, airport security requirements limit liquids, aerosols and gels to 100g/100ml find out more

 

Medical equipment (portable) powered by batteries

Note: Watt hours (Wh) are determined by multiplying the voltage (V) by the amp hours (Ah). ie. 12V x 5Ah = 60Wh

Lithium-ion batteries (rechargeable) - not more than 100Wh in medical equipment

Airline approval required No
Carry-on baggage Yes
Checked baggage Yes
Medical equipment and batteries - requirements

Information on frequently used equipment is available in the CPAPs and Oxygen Concentrators Medical Equipment List

Requirements

When packed in checked baggage:

  • equipment containing batteries must have the ON/OFF switch protected to prevent accidental activation, and
  • the device must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode).

Lithium ion batteries (rechargeable) - exceeding 100Wh and up to 160Wh in medical equipment

Important

Lithium-ion batteries in medical equipment must be declared during check-in.

Airline approval required Yes
Carry-on baggage Yes
Checked baggage Yes
Medical batteries- requirements

Requirements

When packed in checked baggage:

  • equipment containing batteries must have the ON/OFF switch protected to prevent accidental activation, and
  • the device must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode).

Lithium-metal batteries in medical equipment (non-rechargeable) - exceeding 2g and up to 8g of lithium metal per device

Important

Lithium-metal batteries in medical equipment must be declared during check-in.

Airline approval required Yes
Carry-on baggage Yes
Checked baggage Yes
Medical batteries - requirements

Requirements

When packed in checked baggage:

  • equipment containing batteries must have the ON/OFF switch protected to prevent accidental activation, and
  • the device must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode).

Oxygen or air gaseous cylinders for medical use

Important

Carriage of portable oxygen or air cylinders is only permitted for medical use.

Medical oxygen cylinders must be declared during check-in and must travel in carry-on baggage only.

Airline approval required Yes
Carry-on baggage Yes  
Checked baggage No
oxygen for medical

Requirements

  • only BOC, Air Liquide, SupaGas and CoreGas (hospital supplied only) cylinders are accepted;
  • each cylinder must not exceed 5kg (typically size 'C' cylinders); and
  • the valve/regulator must be fully protected.

Pacemaker (radioisotopic cardiac)

Airline approval required No
Carry-on baggage No
Checked baggage No
Pacemaker requirements

Permitted on one's person.

Specimens, biological samples (non-infectious) contained in small quantities of permitted flammable liquid

Airline approval required No
Carry-on baggage Yes
Checked baggage Yes
speciman and medical requirements

Requirements

  • no more than 30 ml of liquid per inner container; and
  • no more than 1L per package.

Medical or Clinical Thermometer (contains mercury)

Airline approval required No
Carry-on baggage No
Checked baggage Yes
thermometer requirements

Requirements

  • only one (1) per person for personal use; and
  • must be packed in protective case.

Further information on dangerous goods

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations describe in detail what Dangerous Goods may be transported by air, in what quantities, and how they should be packed. For details on how to safely transport your Dangerous Goods, contact your local Qantas Freight Office.

Forbidden dangerous goods

For a summary of common items that are classified as dangerous goods view our prohibited and check with airline dangerous goods (PDF) - passengers are forbidden to carry them on an aircraft.

Important information regarding electronic devices

Qantas Group customers are advised to refer to the Product Safety website for a list of products that contain dangerous goods that have been recalled due to faults.

Customers planning to travel with these products should refer to the original manufacturer for further information and recall instructions.