Can you fly with magnets in your luggage

Pack high-strength rare-earth magnetic devices in carry-on and present them at the security checkpoint for inspection. Small consumer magnetic items may travel either in checked or cabin baggage, but strong or bulk quantities should remain in the cabin so screening staff can inspect and, if necessary, remove them from the aircraft environment.

Regulatory position: the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) permits magnetic articles in checked and carry-on baggage, while the International Air Transport Association (IATA) does not list ordinary magnetic objects as dangerous goods; nevertheless, individual carriers and international routes may impose limits for large or industrial-grade magnetic assemblies. Carry manufacturer data sheets showing field strength (tesla or gauss), mass and dimensions when transporting atypically powerful pieces.

Quantified guidance: typical refrigerator magnets produce roughly 0.005–0.05 tesla (5–50 mT) at the surface; common neodymium grades (N35–N52) can range up to about 1.4 tesla at the surface depending on size and grade. Keep magnetic items at least 15 cm (6 in) away from magnetic-stripe cards, hard-disk drives and implanted medical devices; for pacemakers and other implants consult a physician before travel and carry clinical ID.

Packing recommendations: immobilize each piece using rigid containers, cardboard spacers or foam; tape paired poles to prevent shifting and avoid contact against electronics and payment media. Label boxes with a short specification sheet (field strength, weight, quantity). If transporting large, industrial or shipment-like lots, contact the airline and the departure airport’s cargo desk in advance to confirm acceptance and any required declarations.

Transporting Magnetic Items by Air

Passengers should stow high-strength neodymium magnetic assemblies in checked bags only, isolated inside padded non-metallic containers, and notify airline staff at check-in.

Small consumer magnetic objects such as fridge magnets, jewelry clasps, magnetic phone mounts and magnetic screwdrivers are typically permitted in both cabin and checked compartments but must be placed in a separate pouch to reduce false alarms during security screening.

Packing checklist

Isolation: Separate poles with cardboard, rubber spacers or wooden shims to prevent shifting and accidental attraction to metal hardware.

Labeling and documentation: Attach a brief note stating material type and nominal magnetic flux if available; retain manufacturer data sheets when transporting assemblies above typical consumer strength.

Electronics & medical devices: Keep magnetic sources at least 15 cm away from pacemakers, implanted devices and magnetic stripe cards; store batteries for powered magnetic tools according to airline battery rules.

Airport procedures

Present large magnetic assemblies to ticketing or ground staff for inspection prior to screening; if screening officers request removal from bags, comply and request supervised handling. For magnetic parts of outdoor gear such as umbrella bases, consult product guidance and related accessories: best of times beach umbrellas.

If uncertainty exists about an item’s field strength or regulatory status, contact the carrier’s cargo or hazardous materials desk before travel; ship oversized or high-field items as cargo when airline approval is required.

Which magnetic items are permitted in carry-on vs checked baggage?

Recommendation: Small consumer magnetic items and devices that state compliance with passenger-carry regulations are generally allowed in carry-on and checked baggage if their external field at 2.1 meters does not exceed 0.00525 tesla (5.25×10⁻³ T); high-field rare-earth assemblies, industrial magnets, and magnetized equipment that exceed this threshold require airline approval or cargo transport only.

• Typical items routinely accepted in carry-on:
  • Magnetic phone mounts, fridge-style novelty magnets, magnetic clasps on bags and clothing.
  • Consumer electronics containing built-in magnets (speakers, headphones, hard-disk drives, inductive chargers) when marketed for passenger use.
  • Small magnetic toys and hobby magnets where manufacturer specifications indicate low external field.
• Typical items acceptable in checked baggage:
  • Moderately strong magnets that are bulky or could cause interference in cabin (example: medium neodymium blocks often used in workshops), provided they pass the magnetic-field test noted above or the carrier has been informed.
  • Magnetic tool sets and devices that are securely fastened, well-padded, and packaged to prevent movement during handling.
• Items likely prohibited or requiring prior approval:
  • Large rare-earth magnet assemblies, magnetic separators, or parts removed from industrial motors and MRI equipment.
  • Any item that produces a measurable external field exceeding 0.00525 T (5.25×10⁻³ T) at 2.1 m; such articles are classified as magnetized materials by ICAO/IATA and may not be carried on passenger aircraft unless handled as cargo under specific conditions.

Measurement and documentation:

1. Confirm field strength using a gaussmeter or rely on manufacturer specification that quotes the external field at 2.1 m. Threshold: 0.00525 T at 2.1 m.
2. If measurement not available, treat sizable neodymium pieces (multiple stacked discs or blocks >25 mm diameter or >10 mm thickness, or assemblies attracting steel strongly at several centimeters) as potentially over-threshold and contact the carrier.

Packing and handling recommendations:

• Declare magnetized articles to the airline when booking or at check-in if size or strength is uncertain.
• Stabilize magnets to prevent shifting; wrap in non-magnetic padding and immobilize inside rigid packaging.
• Keep strong magnetic items separated from electronic devices, magnetic storage media, and credit cards by at least 15–30 cm, or place in a separate compartment to reduce risk of damage.
• Label large or shielded magnet shipments clearly when transporting as cargo and follow carrier instructions for declaration and documentation.

When in doubt, consult the airline’s hazardous and special item policy and provide specification sheets or gaussmeter readings prior to travel.

How to measure magnetic field (gauss/tesla) and assess airline limits

Measure peak flux density using a calibrated handheld gaussmeter (Hall-effect probe for strong near fields, fluxgate for low fields); record vector magnitude at 1 cm, 10 cm, 30 cm and 1 m. If the 30 cm reading exceeds ~5 G (0.5 mT) or the 1 m reading exceeds ~0.5 G (0.05 mT), obtain written carrier approval or increase spacing/shielding before transport.

Required instruments and units: use a gaussmeter that reports in gauss (G) and tesla (T); 1 G = 1×10⁻⁴ T, 1 mT = 10 G. Handheld models with ±1–3% accuracy are suitable; smartphone apps are acceptable only for rough checks and must be validated against a calibrated meter.

Step-by-step measurement procedure: 1) zero and calibrate the meter away from ferrous surfaces and ambient magnetic sources; 2) place the item on nonmagnetic support; 3) measure and log peak Bx, By, Bz and compute B = sqrt(Bx²+By²+Bz²) at each distance; 4) note orientation (axis toward/away from probe) and atmospheric conditions; 5) repeat measurements after packaging to verify external field reduction.

How fields fall off: for compact magnetic sources the stray field in the far-field approximates an inverse-cube law (B ∝ 1/r³). Practical implication: doubling the distance reduces the field by ~8×; tripling reduces it by ~27×. Use near-field measurements plus the 1/r³ rule to extrapolate to crew/avionics separation if direct measurement at that distance is impractical.

Typical magnitude benchmarks (approximate): small refrigerator-style ceramic pieces often produce surface fields in the 1–50 mT range; strong rare-earth types can reach up to ~1.2–1.4 T at the pole face. Earth’s ambient field is about 0.25–0.65 G (25–65 μT); if an item’s field at 1–2 m is within a few times ambient, interference risk for navigation instruments is low but carrier confirmation is still recommended.

Mitigation methods that reduce external flux: increase standoff distance inside the case; use a ferromagnetic (steel) outer shell to provide partial flux shunting; apply high-permeability shielding (mu-metal) for critical reductions – test each solution, since steel can redirect flux and produce hotspots. After any modification, re-measure external field at the specified distances.

Assessment and paperwork: compile a measurement sheet stating device description, serial number, calibration certificate of the meter, measured B (G and T) at 1 cm/10 cm/30 cm/1 m, photos of packed item, and any shielding used. Present this packet to carrier ground operations or dangerous-goods office for pre-approval. For disposal or alternative handling options, see reusing or recycling old air compressors sustainable options for related guidance on handling bulky magnetic equipment.

Packing methods to block magnetic fields and protect electronic devices

Recommendation: Isolate strong magnetic sources inside high‑permeability enclosures and maintain separation distances; target a residual field at sensitive electronics below 5 gauss (0.5 mT) unless on‑site measurement indicates a different safe threshold.

Dipole field falloff approximates 1/r³. Example: a 1 cm surface field of 1000 gauss reduces to ~125 gauss at 2 cm and ~15.6 gauss at 4 cm. Practical rule: doubling separation yields ~8× attenuation. Suggested baseline clearances: ≥15 cm for small rare‑earth cubes (≤10 mm), ≥30 cm for larger blocks or ring geometries unless shielded.

Shielding materials and specifications: Mu‑metal: relative permeability ~20,000–100,000; sheets 0.5–1.0 mm typically give 10–100× reduction for static/low‑frequency fields when professionally annealed after fabrication. Low‑carbon steel / soft iron: relative permeability ~100–500; thicknesses 2–6 mm provide moderate attenuation and act as flux return. Use an outer steel shell plus inner mu‑metal liner to obtain combined performance; leave a 2–5 mm air gap between layers to prevent mu‑metal saturation and maintain high attenuation.

AC/pulsed field control: Conductive enclosures (copper, aluminium) generate eddy currents that attenuate AC fields effectively above ~1 kHz. Skin depth examples: copper at 1 kHz ≈ 2 mm, at 100 kHz ≈ 0.2 mm; choose thickness ≥3× skin depth for robust attenuation. For DC and slow ramps, rely on high‑mu materials rather than conductivity.

Packing layout and orientation: Place sensitive electronics at the geometric center of the case; position magnetic sources near exterior faces, on the opposite side from critical items. Use non‑magnetic spacers (foam, polyethylene) to guarantee separation. Orient dipole axes so they are perpendicular to the most vulnerable device axis to reduce coupling. Use rigid enclosures to prevent movement and accidental contact during handling.

Mechanical safety and material handling: Secure each magnetic source using heavy tape, zip ties, or metal strapping to prevent unintended attraction to nearby ferrous parts. Isolate ferrous tools and fasteners. Note: mu‑metal loses high permeability after bending or welding; a professional hydrogen anneal is required to restore properties–do not attempt home heat treatment.

Verification protocol: After packing, measure field at each device location using a calibrated gaussmeter or calibrated hall sensor. Aim for 5 gauss or lower at the device surface; if higher, add shielding layers, increase separation, or reorient components until readings meet the target. Log pre‑ and post‑packing readings for operational records or transport documentation.

Notifying TSA and airline – required documentation

Contact TSA and the chosen carrier at least 72 hours before departure by phone and email; obtain written approval or a confirmation number and keep screenshots or PDF copies.

TSA Contact Center: 1-866-289-9673. TSA Cares (assistance line): 1-855-787-2227. Send correspondence to the airline’s Cargo/Dangerous Goods or Special Handling desk; request a named point of contact and a written acceptance that references flight number and date.

Attach the following documents to the notification email and carry printed copies plus an electronic copy on a mobile device: manufacturer specification sheet (model, part number, material, grade, polarity diagram); third‑party laboratory test report showing magnetic flux density in Gauss or Tesla at the device surface and at 15 cm and 30 cm distances; calibration/certification for the gaussmeter used; manufacturer letter stating intended use and safe‑handling instructions; purchase invoice or serial number proof of ownership; high‑resolution photos of proposed packing showing separation from sensitive electronics and blocking materials; a one‑page packing and stowage declaration that lists proposed stowage location (cabin or checked) and mitigation measures.

If the airline or TSA grants approval, request that the approval include: name and title of the approving agent, date and time, explicit language accepting the item on the specific flight, any handling conditions (e.g., placement, shielding, maximum field at 15 cm), and a reference or confirmation number. Retain this document for presentation at the checkpoint and at the gate.

At the checkpoint present printed documents and the email approval on a device; ask for a screening supervisor if staff indicate refusal. If permission is denied, request a written reason that includes the agent’s name and an appeal contact at the carrier; forward denial documentation to the airline’s customer relations for review.

When to ship high-strength magnetic assemblies instead of transporting via aircraft

Ship high-strength magnetic assemblies rather than carry aboard aircraft if any of the following criteria apply.

Single-piece mass greater than 2 kg (4.4 lb) or any single parcel total exceeding 5 kg (11 lb): use ground courier or LTL freight; parcels above typical parcel-service weight limits are better palletized and pallet-blocked.

Measured surface flux density above 50 mT (500 gauss) at the component face, or stray field exceeding 5 mT (50 gauss) at 30 cm: these fields commonly interfere with avionics and screening equipment; route via surface transport.

Pull-off force above 100 N (≈22 lbf) per ASTM test or manufacturer specification: high attraction forces increase handling injuries and unpredictable coupling during screening and loading; ship instead of placing into passenger-area bags.

Multiple strong elements shipped together where magnetic coupling cannot be eliminated by non-magnetic spacers; four or more rare-earth units (grade N42 or higher) packed in a single parcel usually merits freight movement.

Assemblies incorporating ferromagnetic fasteners, sharp fragments or heavy steel housings that could become hazards under sudden separation or impact; crate these items and move by ground freight for safe handling.

Commercial shipments in bulk, serial production batches, or international exports requiring customs classification that lists magnetized goods: engage a freight forwarder experienced in handling magnetized cargo and choose surface or consolidated ocean freight unless an air carrier explicitly accepts documented cargo.

When supplier safety data sheet, purchase order terms, or customer requirement mandates ground transport only; follow supplier shipping instructions and provide measurements that substantiate the transport mode decision.

Packaging recommendations for shipped items: inner layers of non-ferrous foam or plastics to prevent movement, rigid plywood or OSB crate exterior, interior separators sized to keep faces at least the measured safe separation, external warning label stating “magnetized material” and handling orientation, and shock indicators or tamper seals for high-value pieces.

Preferred carriers and routing: domestic parcels under carrier weight limits via ground parcel service; heavier or palletized loads via LTL carriers that accept magnetized cargo; for cross-border moves select a forwarder that verifies destination import rules for rare-earth products and arranges any necessary special handling or permits.

If uncertainty remains after measurement and evaluation, default to shipping via ground freight and consult the component manufacturer and freight specialist for field-specific shielding methods, test reports, and recommended transport declarations.