Can I bring a satellite phone in my carry-on?

In most countries yes, but some destinations restrict or ban satellite phones outright — check the rules for your specific country before travel. Declare it at customs if required.

Are lithium batteries for broadcast cameras allowed in carry-on?

Yes, but with strict limits. Batteries under 100 Wh are allowed without approval. Batteries between 100 and 160 Wh require airline approval in advance. Batteries over 160 Wh are not permitted in either cabin or hold.

Does body armor need to go in checked luggage?

Yes. Press vests and body armor are too thick to fit in an overhead bin and are categorically required to travel as checked luggage. Ship via freight or check it at the desk.

Can I bring a BGAN satellite internet terminal in my carry-on?

There are no formal restrictions on BGAN devices, but unusual equipment draws extra scrutiny at security. Carry documentation from your employer and be prepared to power it on for inspection.

Will my encrypted laptop drive be seized at borders?

There are no airline restrictions on encrypted drives, but border agents in some countries (notably the US, Australia, and China) can legally compel device inspection or detention at entry points. Carry a clean device or use remote access where possible.

Carry-On Packing for Journalists: Equipment, Security & Conflict Zones

Journalists travel differently from regular passengers. Your kit is expensive, often irreplaceable, and subject to additional scrutiny at borders and security checkpoints. Carry-on is almost always the right strategy — checked luggage can be lost, delayed, or tampered with. But packing smart means knowing what goes in the cabin, what must be checked, and what requires advance preparation.

Camera Equipment: What Goes Where

Not all cameras travel the same way. The decision is mostly about size and weight.

Equipment	Carry-on?	Notes
Mirrorless camera (Sony A7, Fuji X)	Yes	Fits in most camera bags sized as personal item
DSLR + standard lens	Yes	Padded insert inside backpack carry-on
Broadcast video camera (ENG size)	Usually no	Often exceeds overhead bin limits; check or ship
Drone under 250 g	Yes	Battery rules apply; remove from drone
Shotgun mic (Rode NTG3, Sennheiser MKH)	Yes	Declare if asked; no restrictions
Audio recorder (Zoom H5, Sony PCM)	Yes	No restrictions

Broadcast-grade cameras are large enough to cause problems at the gate. If you must carry broadcast gear internationally, consider shipping via ATA carnet — a customs document that allows professional equipment to cross borders without import duty. Contact your country's chamber of commerce or a freight forwarder before the trip.

Lithium Battery Rules for Broadcast Equipment

Batteries are the most restricted item in your kit. The rules apply regardless of whether you're carrying a camera, a BGAN terminal, or a drone.

Under 100 Wh — carry-on allowed, no approval needed
100–160 Wh — carry-on allowed with prior airline approval; never in checked luggage
Over 160 Wh — not permitted on passenger aircraft in any form

Most mirrorless and DSLR batteries are well under 100 Wh. Large V-mount or Gold Mount broadcast batteries often fall in the 140–190 Wh range — check the label before you travel and contact the airline at least 48 hours in advance if approval is needed.

Pack all spare batteries in your carry-on, never in checked luggage, with terminals taped or in individual plastic bags to prevent short-circuits.

Satellite Phones and Communication Devices

Satellite phones are legal to carry in most Western countries, but a small number of states — including Russia, China, India (in some regions), and a handful of others — restrict or ban them entirely. Research your destination's regulations before you travel, and declare the device at customs if the country requires it.

BGAN satellite internet terminals have no specific aviation restrictions but are unusual enough that security staff may pull your bag for inspection. Carry a brief letter from your employer on letterhead explaining the equipment and your purpose of travel.

Encrypted laptop drives — standard USB or internal drives with encryption — are not restricted by airline rules. However, at some border crossings (particularly US CBP and Australian Border Force), agents can demand access to your devices. Journalists with sensitive source material should consult their organization's digital security policy before crossing these borders.

Conflict Zone Specifics

Press vest / body armor: This must go in checked luggage. It is bulky, heavy, and will not pass the overhead bin test. If your destination has no reliable checked luggage service, ship it ahead via freight.

Press credentials: Keep these in your personal item — a document pouch or a small shoulder bag — not your main carry-on. At checkpoints and during transit, you may need to access them without opening your main bag.

Contact details offline: In some environments, phones are confiscated at checkpoints or lose signal entirely. Print the name, phone number, and address of your fixer, hotel, and local contact on paper. Keep it separate from your phone.

Packing the Journalist's Carry-On

A journalist's daily carry-on typically works best as a structured camera backpack (26–32 L) that fits airline carry-on dimensions (commonly 55 × 40 × 20 cm or 56 × 36 × 22 cm).

Priority packing order:

Camera body, lenses, and batteries — in the main padded compartment
Laptop, in sleeve against back panel
Recorder, mics, cables — in top or front pocket
Passport, press card, emergency contact sheet — quick-access front pocket
One change of clothes compressed flat — if space allows

If your total kit is heavier than the airline's cabin weight limit (often 7–10 kg on budget carriers), check a soft duffel with your clothing. Never check the electronics.