Can you bring anything in your checked luggage

Keep spare lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, high-value items and prescription medicines in carry-on bags. Spare lithium-ion batteries must have terminals protected (taped or in original packaging); spares are prohibited in hold bags. Devices with installed batteries are usually permitted in cabin but subject to watt-hour limits.

Liquids: cabin liquids are limited to 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) per container and must fit inside a single resealable bag of approximately 1 litre (quart). Larger volumes are acceptable in hold baggage only when not flammable or pressurised; aerosols, fuel, and certain solvents remain forbidden regardless of storage location.

Firearms and ammunition require declaration at check-in, must be unloaded and locked in approved hard cases. Ammunition is often allowed in hold baggage in original or secure packaging, but quantity limits and local legal restrictions apply – confirm carrier policy and domestic rules before travel.

Prohibited items include explosives, most fireworks, white phosphorus, oxidisers, corrosives, and lithium metal cells with >2 g lithium content. Refer to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and national aviation authority lists for item classification and allowed limits per shipment.

Weight and size: many international carriers set hold-bag weight limits at 23 kg (50 lb) for economy; 32 kg (70 lb) frequently triggers special handling or is disallowed. Excess dimensions and overweight pieces incur fees or refusal at the gate – review airline allowance and prepay excess where possible.

Customs and perishables: fresh produce, meat, plants and large quantities of food may be restricted by destination-country import rules and can be seized. Keep receipts and import permits when applicable. For valuable or mission-critical goods, transport in cabin and retain documentation.

Liquids, gels and aerosols: allowed volumes, packaging and sealing for hold baggage

Store all liquids, gels and aerosols in sealed, leakproof containers inside transparent resealable bags; tape bottle caps, protect aerosol valves with rigid caps, and place packed items in the centre of the hold bag surrounded by clothing to reduce pressure and impact stress.

Allowed volumes and restricted categories

Alcoholic beverages: 24–70% ABV permitted up to 5 litres per passenger in unopened retail packaging; under 24% normally unrestricted; over 70% ABV forbidden for transport in hold. Aerosols for personal care (non-flammable) generally limited by IATA rules to a net mass of 0.5 kg per container with a total net quantity not exceeding 2 kg per passenger; flammable aerosols, spray paints, fuel canisters and compressed gas cartridges with flammable propellants are prohibited. Gels, pastes and creams intended for personal use are not subject to the 100 ml cabin rule when stowed in the hold, but commercial quantities may trigger dangerous-goods restrictions and require airline approval. Medications, baby food and medically necessary liquids should be accompanied by documentation and ideally declared at check-in if volumes exceed typical personal-use amounts.

Packaging and sealing best practices

Use original or robust screw-top containers; apply a strip of waterproof tape across caps, then insert into a 1–2 litre resealable plastic bag with absorbent material (paper towel) to contain leaks. Place multiple sealed bags inside a secondary waterproof pouch or hard-sided compartment to isolate any spill. For aerosols leave protective cap in place and fasten with tape if cap fits loosely; place aerosols upright inside rigid packaging or a small box to prevent valve damage. Label large bottles clearly and keep receipts or manufacturer labels for alcohol-based products to verify ABV if questioned by airline or security staff.

Declare any items listed as hazardous goods at check-in and consult the carrier and destination authority for route-specific prohibitions or quantity limits; for bulky household appliances and related liquids see product guidance such as best heat pump tumble dryers for sizing and packing tips before dispatching in hold.

Lithium batteries and spare power banks: what must go in the cabin and what may go in the aircraft hold

Short rule: Spare lithium-ion cells and power banks belong in the cabin; do not place spares in the aircraft hold.

Capacity thresholds and approval

Li-ion (rechargeable): ≤100 Wh – permitted as spare batteries in cabin without airline approval; batteries installed in equipment are permitted in either cabin or hold. 100–160 Wh – allowed in cabin only with airline approval; maximum two spare batteries per passenger. >160 Wh – prohibited on passenger aircraft except under special cargo arrangements. Lithium metal (non‑rechargeable): lithium content ≤2 g per cell – permitted in cabin; >2 g – prohibited on passenger aircraft.

How to check rating and calculate Wh

Look for a Wh label. If only mAh is given, calculate Wh = (mAh × V) / 1000. Use nominal voltage 3.6–3.7 V for most Li‑ion cells. Examples: 3,000 mAh phone ≈ 11.1 Wh; 56 Wh laptop battery ≈ typical; 10,000 mAh power bank ≈ 37 Wh; 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh. If no rating is visible, assume higher capacity and expect refusal.

Packing and handling checklist

– Spare batteries and power banks must be carried in cabin and kept with the passenger for inspection. Each spare must have terminals taped or be in original packaging or an insulating pouch to prevent short circuits.

– Installed batteries (phones, laptops, cameras): allowed in either cabin or hold, but equipment must be powered off, and removable batteries should be carried in cabin.

– Declare batteries rated 100–160 Wh to the airline at check‑in and obtain approval before travel. Airlines may limit the number of such batteries.

– Mobility aids and large batteries: require prior airline approval and special procedures; many carriers forbid batteries >160 Wh on passenger flights.

Follow airline and regulator (IATA/ICAO/TSA) instructions at booking and check‑in; noncompliant batteries are subject to removal, fines, or denial of transport.

Firearms, ammunition and sporting gear: declaration, transport cases and airline rules for hold baggage

Declare every firearm and all ammunition at the ticket counter; weapons must be unloaded, secured in a locked hard-sided case, and ammunition packed separately in original manufacturer boxes or commercial cartridges designed for transport.

Documentation & declaration

• Present firearms permits, hunting licences or purchase invoices at ticket counter and to security on request.
• Complete the airline’s firearms declaration form at check-in; staff will tag the case and note quantity and calibre.
• Failure to declare may result in fines, arrest, seizure and travel delays under national aviation and customs law.
• For international trips, obtain destination and transit country permits in advance; airlines will refuse transport without proper paperwork.

Packing standards, approved cases and ammunition limits

• Case type: rigid, hard-sided container with external lock. Use a case certified for weapon transport or a solid polymer/metal case; add internal padding to prevent movement.
• Locking: use padlocks or built-in locks; for US departures consider TSA-accepted locks if access by security is anticipated.
• Firearm state: unloaded, actions open, magazines removed and stowed separately. For bolt-action or break-action models, fit with an action lock or cable lock inside the case.
• Ammunition packaging: original boxes or purpose-built ammo boxes; place ammo in a separate compartment or sealed bag away from the firearm. Loose loose rounds are unacceptable.
• Quantity limits: many carriers follow IATA/DGR guidance – up to 5 kg (11 lb) of small-arms ammunition per person in the aircraft hold; some airlines impose lower limits or prohibit ammunition entirely. Excess ammunition must travel as cargo under dangerous goods rules.
• Sporting gear specifics:
  • Archery: unstrung where possible, bow in a hard case, arrows in a tube or quiver with tips protected.
  • Paintball markers: depressurise cylinders, remove CO2/HPA, pack marker in hard case and declare as sporting weapon if required.
  • Airguns and BB/pellet rifles: treated as firearms in many jurisdictions – follow same packing and declaration rules.
• Weight & size: firearms cases often count as checked/hold items and may incur oversize or overweight fees; measure and weigh at home to avoid surprises.

1. Before travel: verify both departure and arrival airline policies, plus national transport authority rules; reserve space for oversized or cargo shipments if quantity exceeds airline allowances.
2. Packing sequence: weapon unloaded → action secured open → magazine removed → place in hard case → seal case and apply locks → pack ammunition separately → label case per airline instructions.
3. At airport: declare at ticket counter, present documentation, allow staff inspection and accept firearms tag; retain receipt and tag stub until arrival.

Select a travel case built for rough handling; examples of rugged travel options appear in best luggage for south america. Families combining sports gear with child equipment should consider compact travel strollers listed at best lightweight umbrella stroller for kids.

Medications, medical devices and temperature-sensitive items: when hold storage is acceptable and how to protect them

Keep life-sustaining medicines and critical medical devices in cabin baggage; only place non‑essential, heat‑stable pharmaceuticals or properly validated, temperature‑protected items in the aircraft hold after airline approval and documentation.

When placement in the aircraft hold is acceptable

Acceptable for the hold: sealed over‑the‑counter packs, unopened blister packs, extra non‑temperature‑sensitive supplies, spare dressings, and duplicate items that are not required during flight. Unacceptable for the hold: insulin in use, vaccines, biologics, implanted‑device batteries that require special handling, and any medication or device required for in‑flight treatment or immediate access.

Before consigning items to the hold, obtain written airline approval for temperature‑sensitive consignments and for dry ice or other refrigerants. For international trips, confirm customs regulations for controlled substances and bring original prescriptions and a physician letter listing generic names, doses, and medical necessity.

Packaging, thermal protection and handling checklist

Use a rigid protective case, original pharmacy labels, and a physician’s letter. For temperature control, choose validated solutions rather than ad‑hoc methods. Below is a quick reference.

Thermal risk note: temperatures in the aircraft cargo area may drop below freezing at altitude and may exceed 30 °C on the ground during loading; fragile thermal products require packaging validated against these extremes. Avoid standard freezer blocks that melt and leak; prefer sealed phase‑change materials matched to the product’s temperature hold time.

Documentation and handling tips: carry a physician’s letter with generic drug names and doses, original pharmacy labels, and a concise inventory. Label packages “Medical supplies – For immediate patient use” when items are critical but still placed in the hold with airline permission. Arrive early to present documentation at check‑in and to allow staff to note special handling instructions.

Prohibited goods and customs-controlled items on international routes: how to verify and avoid confiscation

Verify rules before departure: consult the destination country’s official customs website and the airport/airline restricted-items page; obtain required import permits, phytosanitary certificates or CITES permits prior to travel when applicable.

High-risk categories to avoid without paperwork: fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy; seeds, soil and unprocessed plant material; live animals and animal products; endangered species items (ivory, certain leathers, shells); cultural heritage and archaeological objects; large quantities of commercial goods or samples; undeclared cash above statutory thresholds.

Documentation required: original purchase receipts and invoices for new or high-value electronics and luxury goods; commercial invoice and export declaration for items intended for sale; phytosanitary certificate for plants/products; CITES permit for listed species; import license when the destination restricts specific controlled substances or chemicals.

Cash and negotiable instruments: most jurisdictions require declaration of physical currency and bearer negotiable instruments at or above USD/EUR 10,000 (or equivalent). If carrying amounts approaching that figure, declare on arrival and keep a copy of the declaration form.

How to verify specific items: use search queries on official customs sites such as “prohibited items [country] customs” and consult embassy/consulate guidance for ambiguous cases; for commercial shipments, consult a licensed customs broker or freight forwarder to obtain tariff classifications and permit requirements.

Packing and labeling advice: keep regulated items in original packaging with labels and receipts visible; separate agricultural or biological materials and place permits on top of the bag/container; avoid mixing suspected controlled goods with personal effects to simplify inspections.

Declaration procedure at arrival: use the red channel or declare via the customs form when required; present permits and invoices proactively to the officer; refusal to declare frequently leads to seizure, fines and potential criminal referral.

If seizure occurs: request a written seizure notice and itemized inventory; obtain contact details for the seizing authority; retain purchase documentation and export/import permits to support recovery or appeal; consider legal counsel for high-value or contested seizures.

Alternative options: ship restricted items via an international courier with customs brokerage and pre-clearance, or obtain an ATA Carnet for professional samples and temporary exports to avoid import duties and confiscation risks.