Prohibited Items
For Travelers
For the safety and security of the traveling public, TSA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or airlines have prohibited certain items from being brought onto airplanes in carry-on and/or checked bags. To help you plan ahead and avoid the potential of additional screening, be sure to check out the prohibited items list below and pack accordingly.
As an added information source for passengers, you can also use the "Can I Bring…?" tool from the My TSA iPhone and mobile app to get information on an item you want to bring on a plane. Simply type the name of the item in the box and you'll get information on whether or not it's prohibited and other information to help you speed through security. You can also access the tool from your mobile device if it has a web browser.
It’s important to know that even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.
- Sharp Objects
- Sporting Goods
- Guns & Firearms
- Tools
- Martial Arts & Self Defense Items
- Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
- Other Items
Sharp Objects
| Item | Prohibited | |
| Carry-on? | Checked? | |
| Box Cutters | X | OK |
| Ice Axes/Ice Picks | X | OK |
| Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives | X | OK |
| Meat Cleavers | X | OK |
| Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, and safety razor blades (disposable razors and their cartridges are permitted) | X | OK |
| Sabers | X | OK |
| Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed, but blades longer than 4 inches are prohibited | X | OK |
| Swords - cutting or thrusting weapons, including fencing foils | X | OK |
| NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors. | ||
Sporting Goods
| Item | Carry-on? | Checked? |
| Baseball Bats | X | OK |
| Bows and Arrows | X | OK |
| Cricket Bats | X | OK |
| Golf Clubs | X | OK |
| Hockey Sticks | X | OK |
| Lacrosse Sticks | X | OK |
| Pool Cues | X | OK |
| Ski Poles | X | OK |
| Spear Guns | X | OK |
| For more information, please read our Traveling with Special Items section. | ||
Guns & Firearms
| Item | Carry-on? | Checked? |
| Ammunition - Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section. | X | OK |
| BB guns | X | OK |
Compressed Air Guns (to include paintball markers) - Carried in checked luggage without compressed air cylinder attached. |
X | OK |
| Firearms - firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section. | X | OK |
| Flare Guns - May be carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our section on Camping and Firearms & Ammunition section. | X | OK |
| Flares | X | X |
| Gun Lighters* | X | OK |
| Gun Powder including black powder and percussion caps* | X | X |
| Parts of Guns and Firearms Read our Firearms & Ammunition section. |
X | OK |
| Pellet Guns | X | OK |
| Realistic Replicas of Firearms | X | OK |
| Starter Pistols - can only be carried as checked baggage and MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section. | X | OK |
| NOTE: Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. | ||
| *Permitted in checked baggage only if it does not contain lighter fluid. | ||
Tools
| Item | Carry-on? | Checked? |
| Axes and Hatchets | X | OK |
| Cattle Prods | X | OK |
| Crowbars | X | OK |
| Hammers | X | OK |
| Drills and drill bits (including cordless portable power drills) | X | OK |
| Saws (including cordless portable power saws) | X | OK |
| Tools (greater than seven inches in length) | X | OK |
| Tools (seven inches or less in length) unless otherwise prohibited | OK | OK |
| Screwdrivers (seven inches or less in length) | OK | OK |
| Wrenches and Pliers (seven inches or less in length) | OK | OK |
| NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers. | ||
Martial Arts & Self Defense Items
| Item | Carry-on? | Checked? |
| Billy Clubs | X | OK |
| Black Jacks | X | OK |
| Brass Knuckles | X | OK |
| Kubatons | X | OK |
| Self Defense Sprays - One 4 ounce (118ml) container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. Self Defense Sprays containing more than 2% by mass of Tear Gas (CS or CN) are prohibited in Checked Baggage. For more information visit www.faa.gov., click on Passengers, then Preparing to Fly. | X | OK |
| Martial Arts Weapons | X | OK |
| Night Sticks | X | OK |
| Nunchucks | X | OK |
| Stun Guns/Shocking Devices | X | OK |
| Throwing Stars | X | OK |
| NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers. | ||
Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
| Explosive Materials | Carry-on? | Checked? |
| Blasting Caps | X | X |
| Dynamite | X | X |
| Fireworks | X | X |
| Flares (in any form) | X | X |
| Hand Grenades | X | X |
| Plastic Explosives | X | X |
| Realistic Replicas of Explosives | X | X |
| Flammable Items | Carry-on? | Checked? |
| Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities) | X | X |
| Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel) | X | X |
| Gasoline | X | X |
| Gas Torches | X | X |
| Lighter Fluid | X | X |
| Common Lighters - Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation (DOT) exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case. If you are uncertain as to whether your lighter is prohibited, please leave it at home. | OK | X |
| Torch Lighters - Torch lighters create a thin, needle-like flame that is hotter (reaching 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit) and more intense than those from common lighters. Torch lighters are often used for pipes and cigars, and maintain a consistent stream of air-propelled fire regardless of the angle at which it is held. Torch lighters continue to be banned. | X | X |
| Strike-anywhere Matches - One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage. | X | X |
| Flammable Paints (See Other Items below for non-flammable paints) | X | X |
| Turpentine and Paint Thinner | X | X |
| Realistic Replicas of Incendiaries | X | X |
| NOTE: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is summarized at www.faa.gov, click on Passengers, then Preparing to Fly. | ||
| Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items | Carry-on? | Checked? |
| Chlorine for Pools and Spas | X | X |
| Small compressed gas cartridges (Up to 2 in life vests and 2 spares. The spares must accompany the life vests and presented as one unit) |
OK | OK |
| Fire extinguishers and other compressed gas cylinders | X | X |
| Liquid Bleach | X | X |
| Spillable Batteries - except those in wheelchairs | X | X |
| Spray Paint | X | X |
| Tear Gas - Self Defense Sprays containing more than 2% by mass of Tear Gas (CS or CN). | X | X |
| Vehicle Airbags | X | X |
| NOTE: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is summarized at www.faa.gov. | ||
Other Items
| Item | Carry-on? | Checked? |
| Gel-type candles | X | OK |
| Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint | Yes - 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller container | OK |
| Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint | X | X |
| Snow globes and like decorations regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation. | X | OK |
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