What Items are not Allowed in Checked Luggage
Know what items are not allowed in checked luggage and avoid security delays at the airport. Read this guide to get the list of restricted items.
30 Items that are not Allowed in Checked Luggage According to TSA Rules
Before boarding your flight, you've done a load of preparation, from buying tickets to coordinating transportation to packing your bags. To ensure a quick, uneventful stroll through the TSA checkpoint, we’ll let you know what items are not allowed in checked luggage.
What Items Are Not Allowed in Checked Luggage
When traveling abroad, there are set rules and regulations for checked luggage or carry on bags. So, travelers have to face customs and security at the airport. However, there are certain ways to quickly get through customs. One of the key measures to avoid delays is to know what cannot be packed in checked luggage.
The TSA has already defined most items that you can and cannot pack in your checked luggage when traveling. So, let’s have a quick look at some of these.
1. Beverages With a High Alcohol Content
If you plan on packing alcohol in your checked luggage, that's okay as long as it's not over 140 proof. Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol, along with 151 proof rum and grain alcohol, aren't allowed in checked bags or carry-on bags.
2. Lighters (Arc, Plasma, Electronic, E-Lighters)
Plasma, arc, electronic, and e-lighters are prohibited in checked luggage for fire prevention reasons. But you can pack them in your carry-on by following special instructions. You may have to take measures to prevent them from activating in your bag. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Put the lighter in a case.
- Take the battery out from the lighter.
- Use a safety lock.
For more information, read this Federal Aviation Administration resource.
3.Bang Snaps
You may have played with bang snaps (also called snap-its or poppers) when you were a kid. Though they seem harmless, they are flammable and could ignite, posing a safety hazard.
TSA checked bag rules indicate that you can’t pack them in your checked luggage or carry-on.
4. Certain Aerosols (Including Bug Repellants)
You can pack your hair and bug spray in your checked luggage if you don't exceed the quantity limit per person, which stands at 70 ounces or 68 fluid ounces. In addition to that, you can't have any aerosol containers with more than 18 ounces or 17 fluid ounces in them.
Regarding bug repellant, it depends on the type of bug repellant you have. The kind you spray onto the bug or into the air cannot be packed in checked luggage or your carry-on. If the repellant is applied to the skin, the TSA will accept it. Learn more here.
5. Flammable Paints, Liquid, Gel, or Aerosol Paints
Flammable paints can’t be checked or brought in your carry-on. Oil-based paints, acetone, turpentine, and paint thinner fall under this umbrella. Also, make sure to check the policies and restrictions of the specific airline.
6. Bear Bangers and Bear Spray
Going for an adventure? You may want to pack bear bangers and bear spray in your checked luggage. Don't do it. They aren’t allowed in your checked luggage or your carry-on. The flammable nature and potential for accidental discharge may pose safety risks to the passengers and crew during flights.
7. Fireworks and Firecrackers
Due to their explosion risk, fireworks and firecrackers aren't allowed in checked bags or carry-ons. Blasting caps are also prohibited.
8. Fire Extinguishers and Other Compressed Gas Cylinders
Compressed gasses can cause fires, oxygen displacement, and explosions due to their hazardous nature. So, they're not allowed in checked bags or carry-ons.
9. English Christmas Crackers
This one may sound comical - what's wrong with Christmas Crackers? These seemingly harmless party favors have a tiny bit of gunpowder inside them. It's for this reason that the TSA has banned them in checked bags and carry-ons. Party poppers are similar and can’t be brought into the airport.
10. Butane and Butane Curling Irons (Cordless)
Do yourself a favor and don't pack butane in your checked luggage or carry-on - it’s not allowed. Though you can't pack cordless butane curling irons in your checked luggage, you can pack them in your carry-on. Make sure you put a safety cover on it first.
11. Chlorine for Pools and Spas
You can't pack chlorine in your checked baggage because it's corrosive. It's also not permitted in carry-ons. By packing it, you will waste your time at the airport security checks. So, prefer to buy it at your destination if needed.
12. CO2 Cartridges
You can't pack chlorine in your checked baggage because it's corrosive. It's also not permitted in carry-ons. By packing it, you will waste your time at the airport security checks. So, prefer to buy it at your destination if needed.
13. Dynamite
Under no circumstances should you bring dynamite with you in your checked luggage or carry-on bag.
14. Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices
Vapes and e-cigs aren't permitted in checked baggage, but you can pack them in your carry-on bag so long as you take measures to ensure they don’t activate on their own. There are other regulations you should know about here.
15. Engines and Engine-Powered Equipment with Residual Fuel
Chainsaws, trimmers, generators, and other equipment that may have remnants of fuel within them aren't allowed in your carry-on bag or checked luggage. Some airlines may permit you to take your equipment if the fuel is removed along with any residue, but chances are slim.
16. Fertilizer
You can't bring fertilizer in your checked baggage or carry-on bag. Usually, fertilizers contain chemicals such as ammonium nitrate, which can be explosive. Due to its hazmat nature, TSA advises that you should never pack this highly flammable item with you.
17. Anything Flammable
Flammable items aren’t allowed in your checked baggage or carry-on. This includes paints, gels, and liquids. It's for everyone's safety.
Here are some specific flammable items to avoid bringing with you:
- Liquid Fuels, such as cooking fuel
- Gas torches
- Gasoline
- Gun lighters
- Lighter fluid
- Propane
- Spray starch
- Strike-anywhere matches
18. Flare Guns and Flares
Due to the dangers associated with flare guns and flares, these items aren't allowed in checked baggage or carry-on bags. Rocket launchers are also prohibited in checked bags or carry-ons.
19. Cordless Hair Straighteners and Flat Irons
Cordless hair straighteners and flat irons powered by gas, lithium metal, or lithium-ion batteries aren't allowed in checked baggage and must be taken in a carry-on bag. You may need to cover the items properly and securely fitted over the heating element in order to avoid any accidental activation. Also, do not carry any additional cartridges, as those are not permitted to be carried.
20. Hand Grenades
Hand grenades aren't authorized to be kept in checked baggage or your carry-on, plain and simple. Regardless of your knowledge about what items are not allowed in checked luggage or not, explosives like grenades are understood not to be carried in your bags as they are a huge threat to the safety of aircraft and people.
21. Liquid Bleach
Liquid bleach is corrosive, so you can’t pack it in your checked baggage or carry-on. TSA guidelines consider it hazardous as it might react dangerously with other substances. It can be a reason for chemical burns and the emission of harmful fumes.
22. Lithium Batteries with Over 100 Watt Hours
These batteries are not allowed to pack in checked luggage. However, you can pack up to two of them in your carry-on baggage if they meet the TSA requirements.
23. Live Fish or Coral
You cannot keep live fish or coral in your checked luggage, but you can put them in your carry-on bag after the inspection and approval by the TSA agent at the airport.
24. Personal Oxygen Cylinders
These cannot be put in your checked luggage because they are considered hazardous by the Federal Aviation Administration. You are allowed to bring them in carry-on baggage by following special instructions provided by the authorities. Recreational oxygen isn't allowed in your checked baggage or carry-on.
25. Replicas of Explosives or Incendiaries
Neither of these items can be taken in your checked baggage or carry-on due to TSA rules. They are fake bombs and replicas of explosives. So, they may be viewed as a security threat as they can cause delays at the airport.
26. Samsung Galaxy Note 7
This phone has a malfunction that could cause it to explode. So, they are banned in the United States for air transportation. You can't check it or take it in your carry-on due to a regulation from the Department of Transportation.
27. Spillable Batteries
Every type of spillable battery is prohibited. You can't put them in your checked luggage or carry-on. The exception is for those in wheelchairs.
28. Tear Gas
Tear gas and self-defense sprays, which contain more than 2% by mass of tear gas, are restricted in both checked and carry-on bags. These can pose the risk of potential discharge and can be a threat to the passengers and aircraft.
29. Vehicle Airbags
Due to the risk of explosion, vehicle airbags aren't allowed in your checked baggage or carry-on. These contain chemical propellants that can be dangerous if they leak or are activated.
30. Mercury Barometer or Thermometer
Mercury and the aluminum in the plane can react and create holes, compromising everyone's safety. So, you can't check mercury barometers or thermometers. But you can take them in your carry-on if you're a weather bureau rep or official agency rep.
Keep This List in Your Back Pocket!
So, there you have it. Now, you very well know what items are not allowed in checked luggage according to the TSA rules. Keep this list in your back pocket so you won't have any issues at the TSA checkpoint. You can also learn about other items that might be possible to carry but with some exceptions at the official Transportation Security Administration portal. Happy travels!
Sources
“What Can I Bring?” Transportation Security Administration, www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024.
“PackSafe - Lighters”. Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/lighters
“PackSafe - Sprays and Repellents”. Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/sprays-repellents
“CO2 Cartridge”. TSA.gov. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/co2-cartridge
“PackSafe - Electronic Cigarettes, Vaping Devices”. Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/e-cigarettes-vaping
“Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours”. TSA.gov. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/lithium-batteries-more-100-watt-hours
“Samsung Galaxy Note 7”. TSA.gov https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/samsung-galaxy-note-7
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