Does checked luggage get x rayed

Short answer: In the United States the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandates 100% screening of hold baggage for explosive threats using explosives detection systems (EDS), computed tomography (CT) machines, explosives trace detection (ETD), canine teams and targeted manual inspections. At major U.S. airports nearly every suitcase passes through automated screening before being loaded; secondary inspections occur if anomalies appear on the monitor or trace alarms trigger.

International practice: Canada (CATSA) and European member states apply comparable mandatory screening requirements; implementation varies by airport and operator. For transfer itineraries, bags screened to equivalent standards at origin are often accepted, otherwise rescreening at the transfer hub is performed. Small or remote airports may outsource screening or use secure transport to a screening facility prior to loading.

Packing recommendations: keep high-value items, travel documents and spare batteries in your cabin bag. Spare lithium batteries must remain in cabin and have terminals insulated; cells above ~100 Wh require airline approval. Use TSA‑approved locks so security personnel can access bags without damaging fastenings. Photograph contents and keep receipts for items over $200 to speed up damage or loss claims.

What to expect at inspection: if imaging or trace detection indicates a potential threat, personnel will open the bag for manual examination; prohibited items will be retained and the carrier or security agency will advise on next steps. Check your airline’s and departure-country security rules before travel, declare unusual items at check-in, and file any damage or seizure claims with the carrier immediately after landing.

X‑ray screening for hold baggage: immediate guidance

Treat every hold bag as subject to X‑ray or computed tomography screening and possible manual inspection; pack valuables, medications and spare batteries in your carry-on.

• Regulatory baseline: most national aviation authorities require screening of all bags placed in aircraft holds; U.S. Transportation Security Administration enforces 100% screening of checked-in items destined for aircraft loading.
• Screening technologies: common systems are 2D X‑ray, multi-slice CT and explosives‑detection software; alarms lead to secondary checks such as physical search or explosive trace detection (ETD).
• Secondary-inspection rate: airports typically pull about 1–5% of screened bags for manual inspection, with higher rates during heightened alerts or for international transfers.
• Packing recommendations:
  • Keep jewelry, cash, passports and prescription medicines with you in the cabin.
  • Carry spare lithium batteries and power banks only in carry-on; terminals and loose cells in hold are often prohibited or separated.
  • Place fragile items in protective cases; take photos of valuable items before travel for claims support.
  • Pack sharp objects sheathed and comply with airline-specific restrictions on sporting gear and tools.
• Locks and inspections: use airline-accepted security locks (e.g., those recognized by local screeners); noncompliant locks may be cut if access is required.
• If a bag is opened: expect a reseal tag, inspection note or damage claim form at the airline desk; report missing or damaged items within the carrier’s published timeframes and keep documentation.
• High-value alternatives: transport valuables via carry-on or insured courier service rather than in the hold when feasible.

How to react to a screening alert

• Cooperate with screening staff, present identification and provide requested information.
• If asked to authorize a search, request documentation of the inspection and an inspection tag when the bag is resealed.
• File a written report at the airline counter immediately for missing or damaged contents and keep copies of all correspondence.

Which airports and airlines routinely X-ray hold baggage?

Answer: Major international hubs and most legacy carriers route hold baggage through X‑ray/EDS (explosive detection) systems as standard; confirm screening practices for small regional airports and low-cost carrier outstations before travel.

Airports with comprehensive inline X‑ray/EDS systems

London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA), Paris CDG, Dubai DXB, Doha DOH, Singapore Changi (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG), Seoul Incheon (ICN), Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) maintain near-universal inline X‑ray and CT screening on their primary baggage conveyors. Major US hubs – Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), New York JFK and San Francisco (SFO) – operate EDS under TSA mandates; Canada’s principal airports (Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Montréal YUL) use CATSA screening. Large European and Australasian hubs (Munich MUC, Zurich ZRH, Madrid MAD, Sydney SYD, Melbourne MEL) also use inline EDS/CT on most flows. Smaller regional airports, remote stands, seasonal charter terminals and some secondary terminals at low-cost bases may rely on offsite screening, manual inspection or bag‑matching procedures instead of full inline X‑ray.

Airline and ground‑handling patterns

Airlines rarely own screening machines: airport security authorities and ground handlers operate X‑ray/EDS. Network carriers based at the hubs listed above – for example British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Delta, United and American – typically have their hold baggage processed through inline systems at home bases. Low-cost carriers and regional operators (examples: Ryanair, easyJet, many turboprop regional partners) often use airport facilities that lack inline CT; their bags may be screened on transfer in a major hub or undergo manual checks. For interline/code‑share travel, screening usually happens at the first large hub in the itinerary.

Practical steps: check the origin, transit and destination airport security pages or the carrier’s baggage/security FAQ; if traveling through a small outstation, expect possible secondary screening or delays; carry spare lithium batteries in the cabin, declare prohibited items, use TSA‑approved locks where applicable and allow extra time at drop‑off for additional inspection.

Expect a secondary inspection when specific items or alarm signatures are present in your hold bag

Declare or remove the following before handing your bag over to reduce the chance of an additional search: firearms and ammunition, spare lithium batteries and power banks, e-cigarettes, loose aerosol cans, large volumes of liquids or open bottles, bulk powders, fresh meat/produce/seeds, unlabelled medications, bulky tools or sporting gear, and dense, irregular masses inside sealed packages.

Common triggers

Security and customs systems escalate to manual checks for observable or sensor-driven reasons listed in the table below.

Screening methods that commonly lead to a manual search

Advanced CT and X-ray imaging, chemical swabs (explosive-trace detection), canine alerts, customs agricultural inspections, and passenger/behavioral flags all prompt bag opening. When a manual inspection happens, agents may photograph contents, sample powders or liquids, and reseal the bag with a tamper-evident tag; carry receipts or item lists for valuable or prescribed goods to speed resolution.

Can passengers refuse X-ray screening of their hold bags and what are the likely consequences?

Refusal is not a viable option at most airports: security screening of hold bags is mandatory under aviation security regulations, and declining the scan typically results in the bag being denied carriage and the traveler being prevented from proceeding through the security checkpoint.

United States: Transportation Security Administration policy requires screening of all hold baggage. If a traveler refuses screening, TSA will not permit the bag to travel on the aircraft and may require removal of the person from the sterile area. Refusal can lead to an on-site law-enforcement referral and, in cases of obstruction, potential administrative or criminal action under federal statutes.

Europe and other jurisdictions: National aviation-security authorities and airport operators enforce mandatory screening. Outcomes mirror U.S. practice: the bag will be excluded from transport, airline staff will likely deny boarding, and local police may be called. Some countries impose administrative fines for interference with security procedures.

Airline procedure and commercial consequences: carriers will not accept an unscreened hold bag. Expect denial of carriage for that bag, possible removal of the passenger from the flight, extra fees if rebooking is needed, and loss of checked items that contain prohibited materials. Contract-of-carriage terms usually assign security compliance to the passenger; airlines act to avoid regulatory penalties and operational disruption.

Acceptable alternatives and how to request them: ask security officers for an alternative inspection–options include a manual search in a private room, explosive-trace detection (swab test), or having the item opened and inspected in your presence. Suggested wording: “I request an alternative inspection for privacy/medical reasons; please perform a manual search in a private area.” Staff will document the request and advise available options; refusal of all alternatives will trigger the enforcement steps above.

Handling sensitive items: high-value documents, original film, undeveloped photographic film, or proprietary prototypes are best carried onboard if permitted or shipped via a courier with declared-value insurance. For medical devices or implants, carry manufacturer documentation and ask for a tailored inspection procedure before arrival at security to reduce conflict.

Practical risk assessment: the most common result of refusal is delay and forfeiture of the bag’s transport. Less common but possible outcomes include confiscation of prohibited items, civil penalties, denial of boarding, and police involvement. To avoid travel disruption, cooperate with screening staff and, when necessary, request documented alternative inspection methods or offsite shipping solutions.

How to pack electronics, medications, film and valuables for checked baggage to minimize risk

Keep small electronics, spare batteries, prescription drugs, undeveloped film and high-value items in the cabin whenever possible; if any of those must travel in the aircraft hold follow the steps below.

Electronics: power devices off, remove external memory cards, place each device in a padded, hard-sided case and position it at the center of the suitcase surrounded by soft clothing. Wrap screens with microfiber and use anti-static bags for circuit boards or exposed connectors. Photograph serial numbers and device condition before departure.

Batteries and power banks: carry all spare lithium-ion and lithium-metal cells in the cabin only. For rechargeable batteries note that cells up to 100 Wh are permitted in carry-on without approval; cells between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require airline approval and are usually limited to two per passenger; batteries above 160 Wh are not allowed on passenger aircraft. Installed batteries inside switched-off devices are sometimes permitted in the hold but transporting spares in the hold is prohibited by most carriers.

Medications: keep at least a 48–72 hour supply in the cabin and retain originals of prescription labels. For items that must go into the hold, place them inside a sealed, insulated pouch with gel ice packs rated for transit temperatures; include a paper copy of the prescription and a doctor’s note stating necessity. Temperature-sensitive drugs such as insulin degrade below freezing or above ~30°C; check specific storage ranges and airline policies before travel.

Unprocessed photographic film: store all unexposed film in carry-on; film rated ISO 400 and higher is susceptible to image fogging after X-ray or CT screening. If large quantities must be transported in the hold, expect damage and consider shipping by courier with radiation-shielded service. Lead-lined containers block screening and will prompt manual inspection, which can result in forced opening of the bag.

Valuables (jewelry, cash, heirlooms, irreplaceable items): transport in the cabin only. If unavoidable in the hold, distribute value across multiple pieces/bags, lock the case with a tamper-evident mechanism knowing locks may be cut during inspection, hide items within inner compartments, and add a Bluetooth tracker. Maintain photos, receipts and serial numbers and obtain transit insurance covering theft and damage.

Packing technique and moisture control: use silica gel packets for humidity-sensitive items, avoid direct contact between metal and screen surfaces, secure loose parts (chargers, cables) in zip pouches, and pad corners with foam. Use luggage weight distribution so fragile items sit in the center away from seams and wheels.

Documentation and airline rules: check the carrier’s hazardous goods and medical policies before departure, declare medically necessary items if required, and retain copies of approvals for batteries or restricted devices. For international trips confirm both origin and destination rules; failure to comply can lead to confiscation or fines.

Final checklist before sealing a bag bound for the hold: remove spare batteries, confirm temperature limits for meds, move unprocessed film and irreplaceables to carry-on, photograph and record serials, add silica gel, lock or seal, and note the bag’s position so high-risk items are placed centrally rather than near zippers or exterior panels.

How to tell if your hold bag was opened or searched after X-ray screening

Check external evidence at the carousel and photograph everything before leaving the terminal: broken or cut padlocks/zip-ties, fresh tape or marker ink, extra paper or adhesive tags, mismatched or missing airline claim tags, and an official inspection notice stuck to the shell or inside – if any of these appear, report immediately.

Telltale signs to inspect: visible inspection sticker (many U.S. agencies attach a short notice stating “Baggage was inspected” plus an agent/office code); cut or re-sealed zippers and seams; unexpected loose items or packing materials moved from their original positions; torn inner pockets or items removed from travel organizers; new adhesive residue or fresh plastic wrap around items; serial-numbered tamper seals broken or missing.

Packing and prevention measures that allow clear post-inspection detection: photograph the exterior (tags, shell scuffs) and interior (contents, arrangement) after final packing; place a printed inventory and receipts in a clear pouch on top of contents; use numbered tamper-evident cable ties or disposable seals on zipper pulls and photograph the seal numbers; keep high-value electronics, jewelry, irreplaceable paperwork and most meds in carry-on. Consider using a robust travel bag such as best duffel bag for travel philippines for easy external inspection and durable fastenings.

If you suspect an opening: preserve the scene (do not re-pack items), photograph all anomalies (close-ups of seals, tags, damage), retain claim tag and boarding pass, ask airline/ground staff for a written Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and for any inspection report or agent identification, request a stamped copy or reference number, and file a police report immediately if theft is suspected.

Claim windows and paperwork: under the Montreal Convention, complain to the carrier within seven days for damage and within twenty-one days for delay or loss; keep original receipts, repair estimates and photos; file the carrier claim first (most carriers handle loss/damage claims), then escalate to the security authority for documentation if the carrier requests it or refuses liability.

Quick actionable checklist for arrival inspection: 1) Photograph exterior and interior; 2) Locate and photograph any inspection notice and note agent code; 3) Do not discard packaging or suspect items; 4) Request PIR and agent contact; 5) File airline claim and police report where applicable; 6) Follow claim deadlines and keep copies of all correspondence.

Video: