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.
According to the British media outlet Daily Mail on January 14 (local time), Ellie Tran, who resides in Australia, 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).
Ellie said, "I have checked in the same hair straightener as checked baggage several times before, but this is the first time it has been an issue," adding, "There was no problem when I flew from Sydney to Incheon, but on my way back home, I was suddenly told I had to throw it away."
Concerns over Lithium-Ion Battery Fires... Restrictions on Bringing Devices on Aircraft
Airport security 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 brought onto aircraft in 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 'life-changing' hair styling device that I had used for a long time," expressing her frustration that "the regulations are unclear and vary by airport and airline, which is confusing."
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 domestic airline industry is tightening regulations on heated electronic devices with built-in batteries. Since September last year, major airlines such as Asiana Airlines have banned all devices such as hair straighteners, irons, and hand warmers with built-in batteries from being carried on board on all routes, and they are also not allowed as checked baggage. However, devices with removable batteries or those equipped with a battery disconnect function (airplane mode) are permitted in the cabin.
These measures are in response to a series of lithium-ion battery fire incidents. On January 28 last year, an Air Busan flight BX391 preparing to take off at Gimhae International Airport was destroyed by fire after an auxiliary battery exploded. On January 8 of this year, 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 quick use of a fire extinguisher.
Online Responses: "I Didn't Know"... Travelers Urged to Exercise Caution
Ellie shared her experience on social media, saying, "I hope others do not make the same mistake." She advised, "If possible, do not bring wireless devices when traveling, or choose products with removable batteries," and emphasized, "Each airline has different guidelines, so you must check in advance."
After her story became known, online responses included, "I've always carried it on international flights and never had a problem," and "I didn't know such regulations existed." Some users also shared experiences of having their wireless hair straighteners confiscated at airports in Korea or Japan for similar reasons.
One user said, "I had to throw away a 180-dollar device when leaving Japan. I ended up buying the same product again." Another user shared, "I almost had the same thing happen with a Dyson product at Incheon Airport," adding, "I will never bring a wireless hair straightener on board again."
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