Foreigner Breaks Down After Losing $500 at Incheon Airport: "It Was Fine When I Arrived"

Wireless Hair Straightener Confiscated at Incheon Airport Due to Battery Regulations
Confusion Arises as Electronic Device Rules Differ by Country and Airport

A traveler returning to Australia from Korea shared her experience of having to dispose of a wireless hair styling device worth about 500,000 won at the airport due to a little-known airline baggage regulation, warning others to be cautious.

Eli Tran had a wireless hair straightener confiscated at Incheon International Airport. Daily Mail

According to the British media outlet Daily Mail on January 14 (local time), Ellie Tran, who resides in Australia, recently had her wireless hair straightener confiscated during a security check while going through departure procedures at Incheon International Airport for her flight to Sydney. The device is a high-end beauty product valued at approximately 515 Australian dollars (about 500,000 won).

Wireless curling iron confiscated at Incheon International Airport. Daily Mail

Ellie said, "I've checked in the same hair straightener as checked baggage several times before, but this is the first time it's been a problem," adding, "There was no issue when I flew from Sydney to Incheon, but on my return trip, I was suddenly told I had to throw it away."

Concerns Over Lithium-Ion Battery Fires... Restrictions on Carrying Devices Onboard

Airport security personnel reportedly escorted Ellie to a separate area and pointed out that her hair straightener contained a built-in lithium-ion battery that could not be removed. Wireless heating devices with built-in lithium batteries are restricted from being carried on board or checked in as baggage at some countries and airports due to the high risk of fire in the cargo hold.

Ellie said, "I cried at the airport when I was told I had to throw away my expensive 'holy grail' hair device that I had used for years," expressing frustration that the regulations were unclear and varied between airports and airlines, which caused confusion.

A notice about the procedure for carrying auxiliary batteries on board is placed in front of the Korean Air check-in counter at Gimhae International Airport. Photo by Yonhap News

In fact, the Korean airline industry is tightening regulations on heated electronic devices with built-in batteries. Since September of last year, major airlines such as Asiana Airlines have banned the carrying of hair straighteners, irons, and hand warmers with built-in batteries on all routes, both as carry-on and checked baggage. However, products with removable batteries or with a battery disconnect feature (airplane mode) are allowed to be carried on board.

These measures are in response to a series of recent lithium-ion battery fire incidents. On January 28 of last year, an Air Busan flight BX391 preparing to take off at Gimhae International Airport was destroyed when an auxiliary battery exploded. In another incident on the 8th of this month, a fire broke out in a passenger's auxiliary battery on Asiana Airlines flight OZ745 from Incheon to Hong Kong, but a major accident was averted thanks to the crew's swift use of a fire extinguisher.

Online Reactions: "I Didn't Know"... Travelers Urged to Be Careful

Ellie shared her experience on social media, saying, "I hope others don't make the same mistake." She emphasized, "If possible, avoid bringing wireless devices when traveling, or choose products with removable batteries. Since each airline has different guidelines, you must check in advance."

As the story spread, online users responded with comments such as, "I always carried it on international flights and never had a problem," and "I didn't know such a regulation existed." Some users shared that they had their wireless hair straighteners confiscated at airports in Korea or Japan for similar reasons.

One user said, "I had to throw away a $180 device when leaving Japan. I ended up buying the same product again." Another user commented, "I almost had the same experience with a Dyson product at Incheon Airport. I will never bring a wireless hair straightener on board again."