As every air traveler knows, it may be quite upsetting to realize that you have packed something that is not permitted through airport security Carry-on Bag items. Whether you’re traveling for pleasure or business, recognizing the limits on your will help you have a smoother journey. This guide can help you plan your next vacation with ease.
This tutorial focuses on US airport security, which is managed by the Transportation Security Administration. Although airport security laws are generally comparable across the world (for example, the requirements for carrying liquids are almost same in Europe), if you’re coming from a non-US airport, double-check local rules in case there are any variances.
The 3-1-1 Rule or Liquids Rule
The TSA controls what you may and cannot bring on a flight, and liquid limitations are a big element of these laws. These regulations apply to any things in your carry-on luggage (carry-on-sized suitcases, backpacks, handbags, laptop bags, and more) that you intend to take through security. The TSA’s 3-1-1 rule establishes travel restrictions for liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes. Here’s the breakdown:
3: All travel-sized containers must contain no more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) of liquid.
1: All liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes must be stored in a single sealed quart-sized bag (946 milliliters).
1: Each passenger is only permitted one quart-sized bag, even if they have many carry-on bags for their flight.
What Is Allowed in a Carry-on Bag?
The most important travel priority for any new parent is how to care for their newborn while on a flight. While the 3-1-1 rule applies to the majority of carry-on items, you’ll be relieved to discover that things for your baby’s care and feeding are less restricted. The TSA considers baby formula, breast milk, toddler beverages, and pureed baby meals to be medically required liquids. Therefore, amounts bigger than 3.4 ounces may be stowed separately from the quart-sized bag in your carry-on.
Accessories for transporting these things, such as ice or freezer packs, are also permitted without limitation. These things can be transported even if you are traveling without your kid; however, you must notify a TSA officer at the start of the screening procedure. You may also be asked to open food, formula, or milk packages, if possible. To make your screening experience go more smoothly, the TSA suggests transporting liquids in transparent, translucent bottles rather than plastic bags or pouches.
Sports and exercise equipment
Most sports and exercise-related equipment, whether you are a competitive athlete or a recreational player, may be transported in your carry-on. The TSA officially permits the following sports balls: basketballs, baseballs, footballs, soccer balls, golf balls, bocce balls, and bowling balls. Sports cleats and helmets are allowed, but snow cleats are not. Golfers are allowed to bring divot tools and tees, but other golf equipment, particularly clubs, is restricted. Other comparable goods, such as baseball bats, are likewise prohibited in your carry-on because they can be used as weapons. Unsurprisingly, weapons – whether for sport, self-defense, or otherwise – are not permitted, even pellet and BB guns.
If you’re heading to a frigid area for some outdoor fun, bring your snowboards, snowshoes, and ice skates. Crampons are also normally accepted in carry-on luggage, although TSA inspectors may remove them if they are worried, so it is best to check them if feasible. Shoes with snow spikes are not permitted in carry-on luggage and must be checked.
You may pack your helmet, bicycle chain, and bicycle pump. Bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards, and Segways are technically permitted through security, although restrictions may apply depending on your airline’s carry-on policy. Additional sports and exercise equipment permitted in carry-on luggage include rollerblades, longboards, boxing gloves, fishing poles, small fishing lures (with sharp objects appropriately wrapped), pickleball paddles, and tennis rackets.
Dietary supplements
Dietary supplements, protein powder, and energy powders (such as pre-workout and creatine) can all be taken in powder or tablet form. If you are packaging powdered items weighing more than 12 ounces (350 milliliters), you must store the containers in a separate bin for X-ray screening. They may require further screening or must be opened for testing. TSA suggests putting non-essential substances in checked luggage.
Blankets and pillows
The TSA does not ban these items. If you do not already have a travel blanket, U.S. News suggests the BlueHills Premium Soft Travel Blanket Pillow for aircraft. When the blanket is placed in its plush carrying bag, it may be used as both a blanket and a cushion. If you have a beloved cushion that you can’t fathom sleeping without, don’t worry: pillows may be brought in your carry-on luggage with no restrictions. Consider one of US News’ finest travel pillows.
Medical items and equipment
Dealing with medical requirements may be stressful enough without having to travel. If you are concerned about meeting your needs, notify your airline during check-in to guarantee a pleasant experience. Pill medications, including vitamins, are normally accepted with little limitations, however destinations may have their own customs laws. Any liquid, gel, or aerosol pharmaceuticals that are medically essential (including insulin, EpiPens, and inhalers) may be brought in excess of the 3-1-1 limit, but must be declared to TSA personnel at the checkpoint for examination. To make the procedure go more smoothly, have your pills labeled. Mercury thermometers aren’t allowed. If you require an oxygen tank for medical reasons, please notify your airline in advance.
Pill organizers are an excellent choice for traveling with basic medications, however medicines should be maintained in their original container or properly labeled. The TSA does not demand this, although certain states and overseas destinations may. If your movement is limited, notify the TSA officer at the checkpoint so that arrangements can be made to scan you and your bags securely and promptly. For further information on disability and medical problems, see the TSA website or contact your airline.
Medical devices such as BiPAPs, CPAPs, and nebulizers are permitted in carry-on luggage. These can remain in the case during X-ray screening, but you may be requested to remove them for further examination. If you have a medical equipment containing lithium batteries, the TSA suggests that you stow it in your carry-on luggage.
Cosmetics
Many cosmetic items are restricted by the TSA’s 3-1-1 guideline for carry-on luggage. Concealer, liquid eyeliner, foundation, mascara, or any other liquid cosmetics and makeup remover must be kept within the 3.4-ounce limit while flying. Solid and powdered cosmetics are not prohibited, however they must be stored in a separate bin for screening if they exceed 12 ounces (350 milliliters). Lipsticks, lip balms, cosmetic wipes, and airbrush makeup equipment can all be carried on without limitation.
Other liquid or gel personal care and cosmetic goods are often limited by the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, including hair gel, hairspray, aerosol hair texturizer, nail polish, and nail paint remover. Aerosol items should include a cover to prevent inadvertent release. Nail clippers and metal nail files are permitted, but should be sheathed to prevent damage. Hair styling products such as curling irons and straighteners are authorized, and cordless tools must have the hot parts properly covered.
Toiletries
Because many toiletries are subject to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, consider packing your carry-on products in a TSA-approved toiletry bag, such as one from PACKISM, or see U.S. News’ selections for the best toiletry bags. The 3-1-1 rule applies to liquid and aerosol deodorants, colognes, perfumes, shampoos, conditioners, dry shampoos (aerosol), lotions, sunscreens, and toothpaste. Outside of the transparent quart-sized bag, you may store your solid deodorant, toothbrush (manual or electronic), tweezers, and mirrors. Check out our sustainable travel guide for suggestions on eco-friendly travel-sized items.
Drinks
The TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids restriction applies to all drinks, including bottled water, coffee and tea (liquid form), juices, smoothies, soda, and up to 70% alcoholic beverages. This implies that unless you’re buying particularly little beverages, you can’t bring them through security, but you may buy them before your gate on the other side. You may bring tiny bottles of alcoholic drinks weighing less than 3 ounces, however the FAA prohibits you from consuming the alcohol in flight. Instead than attempting to bring booze, visit an airport’s duty-free department.
Food and snacks
Solid meals are permitted past security but may be banned by customs at your arriving destination, so verify the travel laws for your location. Even if that is the case, you are allowed to carry potentially prohibited food as long as you consume it before arriving at your location. Some foods might cause clogs during the X-ray procedure, so TSA officers may ask you to remove them from your suitcase before screening. Bread, cereal, cheese (solid), cooked meat, cooked fish, cooked vegetables (no liquid), fresh eggs, almonds, pies and cakes, pizza, salt, sandwiches, dried spices, coffee (beans or grind), and tea (dry tea bags or loose tea leaves) are all OK.
Small snacks can also be carried past security. This includes candies, chocolate (solid), cookies, crackers, dried fruits, gum, popcorn, almonds, and snack bars. Fresh fruits and vegetables are permissible as long as your destination does not impose any customs restrictions on them. For example, you will not be permitted to return fresh food from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the United States Virgin Islands to the mainland United States.
Personal electronic devices and accessories
Personal gadgets should be stowed in an easily accessible spot in your carry-on luggage since most electronics must be taken from your bag and placed in a separate container for screening. This covers everything bigger than a mobile phone, such as e-readers, digital cameras, computers, and tablets. Appliances like electric razors and toothbrushes do not need to be removed. Consider getting a travel bag with a separate pouch for gadgets, such as the Aer Travel Pack 3, to make security easier.
Smoking paraphernalia
Cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, tobacco, and tobacco pipes are permitted without limitation, however they are severely forbidden on most airplanes. Disposable lighters and refillable lighters, such as Zippos, are legal and can only be examined as long as they do not contain fuel. Arc lighters, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, lithium-battery-powered lighters, e-lighters, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices are permitted, but must be stowed in such a way that they cannot be accidentally activated on the plane. This may involve removing the batteries and putting the item in a protective case or utilizing a protective cover, safety latch, or locking device. Any e-liquids must follow the 3-1-1 rule. Torch lighters are not allowed at all.
Batteries
Batteries for frequently owned electronics are permitted in carry-on luggage. This encompasses dry batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D), lithium batteries, and nonspillable wet batteries. Fuel cells are authorized only if their package says “Approved for carriage in aircraft cabin only.” Large batteries, such as those used in automobiles or wheelchairs, are usually prohibited. In the case of wheelchairs, the batteries may need to be removed or the device inspected. If you must fly with a battery of this size, consult with a TSA agent and your airline before to passing through security. The Federal Aviation Administration’s rules provide more information about battery limits.
Tools
Typically, instruments of 7 inches or less in length are permitted in carry-on baggage. Tools that surpass this length are forbidden. Remember that sharp instruments must be securely sheathed to prevent damage. Multitools with scissors shorter than 4 inches are permitted, but blades are banned. All power tools must be stored in your checked luggage.
You can carry one book of safety matches on board, but no matches that can be struck anywhere; matches are also not permitted in checked baggage. Parachutes can be taken as carry-on luggage, but they must be packed separately from other items and may be subject to a lengthy examination – come at least 30 minutes early if you own one.
Candles
Solid candles are not banned, however gel candles are not permitted, even if they contain less than 3.4 ounces of gel.
Extra Tips
When packing your carry-on, consider more than just the regulations and limits stated in this article. Even if the TSA allows an item through security, it must meet an airline’s size and weight requirements. Be mindful that TSA personnel have the right to make the ultimate decision on whether an item is permitted past security, so pack anything you are unsure about in checked luggage rather than carry-on.
If you are traveling overseas, keep in mind that you will need to go through customs in your destination country. Some commodities, like as fruits and vegetables, are approved under the TSA but may be limited by a country’s customs department.