Find the best seat before you fly

Seat advice for 700+ seatmaps, backed by 25,000+ flier reviews

TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items List

Holiday Travel Tips from TSA

Before you pack that hostess gift or favorite holiday treat in your carry-on, remember liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers larger than 3 ounces are not permitted through the security checkpoint. Never fear, cakes and pies are permitted.

TSA's list of holiday items that you should put in your checked bag, ship ahead, or leave at home:

  • Cranberry sauce
  • Cologne
  • Creamy dips and spreads (cheese spread, peanut butter, etc.)
  • Gift baskets with food items (salsa, jams, and sauces)
  • Gravy
  • Jams
  • Jellies
  • Lotions
  • Maple syrup
  • Oils and vinegars
  • Perfume
  • Salad dressing
  • Salsa
  • Sauces
  • Snowglobes
  • Soups
  • Wine, liquor, and beer

 

Gifts

Keep gifts unwrapped, whether they are in your carry-on or checked luggage. TSA officers may need to unwrap a gift to take a closer look inside. Either ship wrapped gifts ahead of time or wait until you arrive at your destination to wrap them.

Family Lanes

If you are traveling with small children or elderly adults, consider using the family lane to go through security with ease. Family Lanes, located at every security checkpoint, allow families and travelers with special needs to go through security at their own pace. Individuals carrying medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in excess of three ounces will be directed to these lanes. So, if you are traveling with liquid medications, baby formula, or baby food, look for the signage with the green circle at each security checkpoint.

Snow Globes

TSA does not permit snow globes in carry-on baggage because they contain an undetermined amount of liquid. Snow globes are permitted in checked baggage.

Overview

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows for passengers to carry-on small amounts of toiletries under certain conditions. You must follow the 3-1-1 for Carry-Ons rule. Each of your toiletries must be 3 oz. (100 mL) or less, and you must place all the toiletries in a single quart-size zip-top bag. (Note, the container itself must be 3 oz. or less; a 4 oz. container that is half-full will not be allowed through the security checkpoint.) You must remove this zip-top bag from your carry-on for screening at the security checkpoint. Read more about the TSA Regulations.

Remember not to wrap gifts that are either in your carry-on or checked baggage. Security officers may have to unwrap gifts if they need to take a closer look. Either ship wrapped gifts ahead of time or wait until you are at your destination to wrap them. If you plan on traveling with food, make sure liquid, aerosol, and gel items are in your checked baggage. You can bring pies and cakes as carry-on items through the security checkpoint, but be advised that they might be subject to additional screening.

When traveling in the USA, the TSA enforces rules on what type of items can be carried aboard your flight in your carry-on bags, as well as what can be packed in your checked baggage. The following lists detail which items are allowed, and which are prohibited.

Quick Link to Lists:

Make-up & Toiletries ( > 3 oz. and not in a clear bag)

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
All creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc.NoYes
Bug spraysNoYes
Bubble bath including gel- or liquid-filled bubble bath balls, bath oils, or moisturizersNoYes
Gel deodorantsNoYes
Gel cap type pillsNoYes
Hair styling gelsNoYes
Hair sprays of all kinds including aerosolNoYes
Hair straightener or detanglerNoYes
Lip gels, glosses, or liquidsNoYes
Liquid foundationsNoYes
Liquid soapsNoYes
Make up removers or facial cleansersNoYes
MascaraNoYes
MouthwashNoYes
Nail polish and removersNoYes
Perfumes or colognesNoYes
ToothpasteNoYes

Food & Drinks

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
All beveragesNoYes
Liquid Medications (These items should be separated from your zip-top bag, and they must be declared for inspection at the security checkpoint.)YesYes
Empty Camelbaks, similar backpacks and water bottlesYesYes
Gel-based sports supplementsNoYes
JellosNoYes
PuddingsNoYes
Yogurts or gel-like substancesNoYes
Non-liquid, non-gel foods (such as sandwiches)YesYes
When traveling with an infant or toddler: baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice in reasonable quantities exceeding 3 oz. (Recently, the TSA has amended this rule to allow you to carry on baby formula even if you are not traveling with an infant. These items should be separated from your zip-top bag, and they must be declared for inspection at the security checkpoint.)YesYes

Personal Items

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Baby teethers with gel or liquid insideNoYes
Children's toys with gel insideNoYes
Cigar CuttersYesYes
CorkscrewsYesYes
Cuticle CuttersYesYes
Eyeglass Repair Tools (including screwdrivers)YesYes
Eyelash CurlersYesYes
Gel candlesNoYes
Gel shoe insertsNoYes
Knitting and Crochet NeedlesYesYes
Knives - prohibited as carry-on except for plastic or round bladed butter knives.NoYes
Nail ClippersYesYes
Nail FilesYesYes
Personal care or toiletries with aerosols, in limited quantities (such as hairsprays, deodorants)YesYes
Safety Razors (including disposable razors)YesYes
Scissors - plastic or metal with blunt tipsYesYes
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in lengthYesYes
Toy Transformer RobotsYesYes
Toy Weapons (if not realistic replicas)YesYes
TweezersYesYes
Umbrellas (allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed)YesYes
Walking Canes (allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed)YesYes

Medication and Special Needs Devices

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Blood sugar treatment up to 8 oz. of liquid or gelYesYes
Braille Note-Taker, Slate and Stylus, Augmentation DevicesYesYes
Diabetes-Related Supplies/Equipment, (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed) including: insulin and insulin-loaded dispensing products; vials or box of individual vials; jet injectors; pens; infusers; and preloaded syringes; and an unlimited number of unused syringes, when accompanied by insulin; lancets; blood glucose meters; blood glucose meter test strips; insulin pumps; and insulin pump supplies.  Insulin in any form or dispenser must be properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer’s name or pharmaceutical label.YesYes
Nitroglycerine pills or spray for medical use (if properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer’s name or pharmaceutical label)YesYes
Ostomy Scissors - All scissors with blades four inches or lessYesYes
Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticketYesYes
Non-Prescription medicine up to 4 oz.YesYes
Prosthetic Device Tools and Appliances, including drills, allen wrenches, and pullsleeves used to put on or remove prosthetic devices, if carried by the individual with the prosthetic device or his or her companionYesYes

 

Electronic Devices

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
CamcordersYesYes
Camera Equipment - The checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film in camera equipment. We recommend that you either put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on baggage or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask the screener to conduct a hand-inspection.YesYes
Laptop ComputersYesYes
Mobile PhonesYesYes
PagersYesYes
Personal Data Assistants (PDA’s)YesYes

Note: Check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic items during your flight.

Sharp Objects

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Box CuttersNoYes
Ice Axes/Ice PicksNoYes
Knives - prohibited as carry-on except for plastic or round bladed butter knives.NoYes
Meat CleaversNoYes
Razor-Type Blades, such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razorsNoYes
SabersNoYes
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades longer than four inchesNoYes
SwordsNoYes

Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

Sporting Goods

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Baseball BatsNoYes
Bows and ArrowsNoYes
Cricket BatsNoYes
Golf ClubsNoYes
Hockey SticksNoYes
Lacrosse SticksNoYes
Pool CuesNoYes
Ski PolesNoYes
Spear GunsNoYes

 

Guns and Firearms

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Ammunition - Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. If ammunition is permitted, it must be declared to the airline at check-in.  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.NoYes
BB gunsNoYes
Compressed Air GunsNoYes
FirearmsNoYes
Flare GunsNoNo
Gun LightersNoNo
Gun PowderNoNo
Parts of Guns and FirearmsNoYes
Pellet GunsNoYes
Realistic Replicas of FirearmsNoYes
Starter PistolsNoYes

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. All of the firearms listed above, as well the frame or receiver of such firearms, carried as checked baggage, MUST be unloaded, packed in locked hard-sided gun case, and declared to your airline at check-in.

Tools

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Axes and HatchetsNoYes
Cattle ProdsNoYes
CrowbarsNoYes
HammersNoYes
Drills (including cordless portable power drills)NoYes
Saws (including cordless portable power saws)NoYes
Tools (greater than seven inches in length)NoYes
Tools (seven inches or less in length)YesYes
Screwdrivers (seven inches or less in length)YesYes
Wrenches and Pliers (seven inches or less in length)YesYes

Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners.

Martial Arts/Self Defense Items

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Billy ClubsNoYes
Black JacksNoYes
Brass KnucklesNoYes
KubatonsNoYes
Mace/Pepper Spray
One 118 ml or 4 fl. oz. container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge.
No Yes
Martial Arts WeaponsNoYes
Night SticksNoYes
NunchakusNoYes
Stun Guns/Shocking DevicesNoYes
Throwing StarsNoYes

Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners.

Explosive Materials

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Blasting CapsNoNo
DynamiteNoNo
FireworksNoNo
Flares (in any form)NoNo
Hand GrenadesNoNo
Plastic ExplosivesNoNo
Realistic Replicas of ExplosivesNoNo

 

Flammable Items

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities)NoNo
Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel)NoNo
GasolineNoNo
Gas TorchesNoNo
Lighter FluidNoNo
Lighters *No *No *
Strike-anywhere Matches **No **No **
Turpentine and Paint ThinnerNoNo
Realistic Replicas of IncendiariesNoNo

* All lighters are prohibited as carry-on items. Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the 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 refrain from bringing it to the airport.

** Up to 4 books of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage

Disabling Chemicals and Other Dangerous Items

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Chlorine for Pools and SpasNoNo

Compressed Gas Cylinders (including fire extinguishers)

NoNo

Small compressed gas cartridges

(Up to 2 in life vests and 2 spares. The spares must accompany the life vests and be presented as one unit.)

YesYes
Liquid BleachNoNo
Spillable Batteries (except those in wheelchairs)NoNo
Spray PaintNoNo
Tear GasNoNo

 

*Up to 2 in life vests and 2 spares.
**Spares must accompany the life vests and be presented as one unit

Other Items

Item Type Carry-on Bags Checked Bags
Gel-type candlesNoYes
Gel shoe inserts (Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened.)NoYes
Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paintYes (3 oz. or smaller container)Yes
Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paintNoNo
Snow globes and like decorations regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation.NoYes

 

More Information

Find Cheap Flights!

Cheap hotels powered by: BookingBuddy.com
Cheap car rentals powered by: BookingBuddy.com
Find cheap flights at TripAdvisor.
Cheap vacations powered by: BookingBuddy.com