Michael Turner
Place liquids in containers of 100 ml or less and fit all containers into a single transparent resealable bag up to 1 L; larger bottles belong in checked bags.
Sharp goods: leave knives, box cutters and scissors with blades longer than 4 inches in checked baggage; disposable razors with enclosed blades may remain in the cabin.
Lithium batteries and power banks must travel in the cabin only. Batteries up to 100 Wh are allowed without airline approval, batteries between 100–160 Wh require carrier approval, and cells above 160 Wh cannot travel in either cabin or checked storage. Tape exposed terminals and carry spares in original packaging when possible.
Flammable substances such as fuels, lighter fluid, spray paint, solvent-based paints and gas cartridges must not travel in the cabin; many of those products cannot go into checked baggage either. Small personal care aerosols within the liquid limit may remain in cabin when permitted by the carrier.
Firearms and ammunition: transport only in checked baggage after declaration at check-in, unloaded and secured in a locked hard-sided case; follow the airline’s documentation, case and local legal requirements for carriage of weapons and rounds.
Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices belong in the cabin; do not place them in checked storage. Carry spare e-liquid bottles only if each container meets the 100 ml rule, otherwise move them to checked baggage or discard before travel.
Verify guidance from TSA, EASA or the relevant national aviation authority plus your airline’s specific policy before departure; keep screenshots or printed confirmation of the carrier’s allowance for presentation at the counter or gate.
Liquids over 100 ml and duty-free exceptions: how to pack them
Place containers larger than 100 ml into the original Secure Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) with the merchant receipt inside and the seal intact; keep that bag closed until final arrival.
Standard cabin screening limits liquids to 100 ml (3.4 oz) per container and a single transparent resealable plastic bag up to 1 litre (approx. 20 x 20 cm) per passenger; duty-free purchases made after security qualify for an exception only when presented inside a properly sealed STEB with receipt dated and time-stamped.
EU/UK guidance: STEB-presented duty-free liquids over 100 ml pass security if purchase occurred in the airport sterile zone and the seal remains unbroken; transit through a country that requires secondary screening may void the STEB exemption, so verify transfer-point rules before buying.
TSA guidance: liquids larger than 3.4 oz bought after screening typically travel in carry-on if packaging remains sealed and proof of purchase kept; if an onward flight requires re-entry to the sterile area, expect additional inspection and potential confiscation if the bag has been opened.
Packing checklist: keep duty-free STEB upright in an outer pocket of the carry-on for quick presentation; photograph the receipt and STEB seal before leaving the store; never separate receipt from sealed bag; label medication and special-diet liquids and carry supporting prescriptions or a physician’s note.
If transit security will re-screen and STEB acceptance is uncertain, place high-value or fragile liquids in checked baggage or ask the retailer for a shipping option to final destination. For infants’ milk and prescribed medication, present these separately at screening for inspection and declaration.
When in doubt, ask the duty-free counter about transfer-country restrictions and request a STEB that clearly shows store name, purchase time, flight number or boarding pass details; unattended or opened STEBs frequently trigger confiscation during connections.
Sharp objects and tools: scissors, knives, razors and allowed alternatives
Do not place knives, box cutters or loose razor blades inside carry-on; pack those in checked baggage or send separately.
Permitted in cabin (typical rules and common alternatives)
- Scissors with blades shorter than the local authority limit:
- United States (TSA): blade length under 4 in (10.16 cm) measured from pivot usually accepted.
- European/UK authorities: blade length under 6 cm commonly allowed.
- Disposable cartridge razors and disposable multi-blade razors: heads with enclosed blades allowed in carry-on.
- Electric shavers and electric trimmers: allowed; battery restrictions follow standard electronics rules.
- Nail clippers, nail files (metal short files), tweezers: accepted in cabin.
- Small tools with no exposed cutting edge and short length (check airline): e.g., sewing needles in secure case, small Allen keys under local length limits.
Forbidden in cabin; must go in checked baggage
- Knives of any kind and any length in many jurisdictions; folding knives and multitools with knife blades usually forbidden in carry-on.
- Loose razor blades and scraper blades (single-edge blades) – pack these inside checked baggage or place in blade bank designed for transport.
- Box cutters, utility knives, axes, hatchets, machetes and similar cutting tools.
- Tools with a handle length or overall length exceeding common cabin thresholds (TSA: tools over 7 in / ~18 cm typically must be checked).
Packing and transit tips:
- When checking blades, sheath the blade, wrap with tape, and place in rigid case or toolbox to prevent shifting and injury to baggage handlers.
- For safety razors with removable blades, remove the blade and transfer that blade to checked baggage; transport the razor head/cartridge in cabin if empty of loose blades.
- Multitools without a knife blade may pass cabin screening, but policies differ by airline and country – verify before travel.
- Measure any suspect item before travel: record blade length from pivot and overall tool length in centimeters and inches to show security staff if questioned.
- When in doubt, pack the item in checked baggage or contact the airline/security authority of departing country for a definitive ruling.
Explosives, flammable substances and matches: lighter and gas rules
Never transport fireworks, detonators, gunpowder, fuses, military munitions, pyrotechnic devices, or improvised explosive materials in cabin or checked baggage.
Carry one book of safety matches only in carry-on; strike-anywhere matches forbidden for both cabin and checked. Disposable lighters and refillable petrol/butane lighters may travel in carry-on only; keep lighter on person or inside carry-on, never inside checked baggage. Torch/jet-flame lighters, arc lighters, and lighters with integrated fuel canisters forbidden in both carry-on and checked.
Pressurized gas cartridges (butane, propane, isobutane) for camping stoves, portable burners, or refill cans must not go in carry-on or checked baggage. Some airlines accept gas cylinders as dangerous goods in cargo with prior airline approval, leakproof outer packaging, valve protection, and proper dangerous-goods paperwork; contact the airline cargo or dangerous-goods office before attempting shipment.
Security screening detects explosives and flammables routinely; confiscation, fines, or criminal charges follow if forbidden materials appear. Recommended steps: leave pyrotechnics and fuel at home, buy replacements at destination, or arrange transport through a certified hazardous-goods carrier with full declarations, tested packaging, and the airline’s written acceptance.
Quick rules
One book of safety matches per passenger – carry-on only; no strike-anywhere. One disposable or refillable lighter per passenger – carry-on only; keep on person. No torch/jet or arc lighters in any baggage. No spare pressurized gas cylinders in cabin or checked; shipment only via cargo with DG approval. When uncertain, contact the airline or national aviation authority before travel.
Self-defense gear and sporting goods: pepper spray, batons, clubs
Do not pack pepper spray, expandable batons, or clubs in carry-on; place them in checked baggage only after confirming airline policy and destination law.
For flights involving the United States, the Transportation Security Administration permits one container of self-defense spray up to 4 fl oz (118 ml) in checked baggage, provided a safety mechanism prevents accidental discharge and the container is securely packed.
Many countries prohibit possession of chemical sprays for civilian defence – examples include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and several Gulf states; possession may result in confiscation, fines, or arrest.
Pepper spray handling and packaging
Deactivate or lock the safety tab, place the canister inside a sealed plastic bag, cushion it to reduce pressure-change stress, and position it where security staff can access it during inspection. Retain manufacturer labeling and, if available, a safety data sheet to show at check-in. Do not conceal the container inside dense packing that prevents quick visual inspection.
Batons, clubs and sporting gear
Expandable batons, nightsticks and similar control tools must not travel in cabin; acceptance in checked carriage varies by carrier and destination law, with some airlines refusing transport completely. When permitted, store in a rigid case, pad impact zones, lock the case, and declare the item at check-in.
Golf clubs, hockey sticks and baseball bats usually qualify as sporting equipment for checked carriage or through airline sports services; reserve space ahead of departure, verify oversize fees, and secure shafts and heads with foam or wrap to prevent damage to other baggage.
If legality or carrier acceptance remains unclear, send gear via a licensed courier or leave it at home to avoid confiscation, fines, or travel disruption.
Lithium batteries and e-cigarettes: carry-on limits and power bank rules
Keep all lithium batteries and e-cigarettes in carry-on; stow none in checked baggage.
Capacity limits and airline approval
Spare lithium‑ion batteries: up to 100 Wh permitted without airline approval. Batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require airline approval and are limited to two per passenger. Batteries above 160 Wh must not be carried in cabin or placed in checked compartments.
Power bank and e-cigarette handling
Regulators and carriers treat power banks as spare lithium batteries: carry them in the cabin only, protect terminals (original packaging, terminal caps, or tape), and never pack them in checked baggage. Devices with internal batteries may remain installed but must be switched off and protected against accidental activation; charging on board is not allowed. For removable cells, transport cells individually protected from short circuits.
Use the Wh label when present. If capacity is shown only in mAh, calculate Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. Examples: 20,000 mAh × 3.7 V ≈ 74 Wh; ~27,000 mAh at 3.7 V ≈ 100 Wh. Keep proof of capacity (manufacturer label or receipt) when seeking airline approval for 100–160 Wh units.
Practical checks: place power banks in an external pocket for screening, tape exposed terminals, cap e-cigarette tanks, and keep devices accessible for inspection. Individual carriers may impose stricter limits; request written approval from the airline before travel for any battery over 100 Wh.
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Food, gels and aerosols: screening problems and cross-border restrictions
Pack perishable food in checked bags when crossing strict-biosecurity borders; bulk meat, unpasteurized dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables typically get seized on arrival.
Place gels, creams and aerosol cans in a clear resealable pouch and present that pouch separately at the security tray; opaque wrapping commonly triggers manual inspection and additional time at the checkpoint.
Spreadable foods such as jam, hummus, yogurt and cream cheese count under liquid/gel screening rules; carry single-serve portions for inflight use and declare baby formula or breast milk for infant feeding when requested by screeners.
Flammable aerosol sprays not permitted in carry-on; airlines usually limit net weight per can and total number per passenger. Keep medical inhalers in original packaging with prescription or doctor’s note to speed verification.
Powders exceeding 12 oz (350 mL) often require separate screening at many airports; store large-volume powders in checked baggage to avoid secondary checks and possible sampling for trace detection.
Customs regulations differ strongly by destination: Australia and New Zealand enforce strict biosecurity with high-probability inspections and immediate seizure of undeclared organic goods; U.S. Customs restricts most meats and certain produce from international origins; the EU allows some commercially packaged animal-origin goods only from within the EU or from approved third-country sources.
Declare all agricultural products on arrival forms; undeclared organic goods face seizure plus monetary penalties and potential travel delays. Keep original packaging and receipts to accelerate clearance and reduce likelihood of quarantine disposal.
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