TSA�s Checklist of Permitted & Prohibited Items
Bringing a prohibited item to an airport security checkpoint�even accidentally�is illegal. You may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted or, at the least, asked to rid yourself of the item. A screener and/or Law Enforcement Officer will make this determination, depending on what the item is and the circumstances. Your prohibited item may be detained for use in an investigation and, if necessary, as evidence in your criminal and/or civil prosecution. If permitted by the screener or Law Enforcement Officer, you may be allowed to: consult with the airlines for possible assistance in placing the prohibited item in checked baggage; withdraw with the item from the screening checkpoint at that time; make other arrangements for the item, such as taking it to your car; or, voluntarily WTAndon the item. Items that are voluntarily WTAndoned cannot be recovered and will not be returned to you. Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and include items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons�the so-called �dual use� items. You may not bring these items to security checkpoints without authorization. | Click here to view entire checklist. Or go directly to a specific category:
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The following chart outlines items that are permitted and items that are prohibited in your carry-on or checked baggage. You should note that some items are allowed in your checked baggage, but not your carry-on. Also pay careful attention to the �Notes� included at the bottom of each section � they contain important information about restrictions. The prohibited and permitted items chart is not intended to be all-inclusive and is updated as necessary. To ensure everyone�s security, the screener may determine that an item not on the prohibited items chart is prohibited. In addition, the screener may also determine that an item on the permitted chart is dangerous and therefore may not be brought through the security checkpoint. The chart applies to flights originating within the United States. Please check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions at destinations outside of the United States. For updates and for more information, visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov/traveler-information or call the Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 or email . |
Can I take it? | ||
Personal Items | Carry-on | Checked |
Cigar Cutters | Yes | Yes |
Corkscrews | Yes | Yes |
Cuticle Cutters | Yes | Yes |
Eyeglass Repair Tools [including screwdrivers] | Yes | Yes |
Eyelash Curlers | Yes | Yes |
Knitting and Crochet Needles | Yes | Yes |
Knives, round-bladed butter or plastic | Yes | Yes |
Nail Clippers | Yes | Yes |
Nail Files | Yes | Yes |
Personal care or toiletries with aerosols, in limited quantities [such as hairsprays, deodorants] | Yes | Yes |
Safety Razors [including disposable razors] | Yes | Yes |
Scissors-plastic or metal with blunt tips | Yes | Yes |
Scissors-metal with pointed tips | No | Yes |
Toy Transformer Robots | Yes | Yes |
Toy Weapons [if not realistic replicas] | Yes | Yes |
Tweezers | Yes | Yes |
Umbrellas [allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed] | Yes | Yes |
Walking Canes [allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed] | Yes | Yes |
Note: Some personal care items containing aerosol are regulated as hazardous materials. The FAA regulates hazardous materials. This information is summarized at//www.faa.gov/hazmat/ | ||
Medication and Special Needs Devices | Carry-on | Checked |
Braille Note-Taker, Slate and Stylus, Augmentation Devices | Yes | Yes |
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. | Yes | Yes |
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] | Yes | Yes |
Prosthetic Device Tools and Appliances, including drill, allen wrenches, pullsleeves used to put on or remove prosthetic devices, if carried by the individual with the prosthetic device or his or her companion | Yes | Yes |
Electronic Devices | Carry-on | Checked |
Camcorders | Yes | Yes |
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. | Yes | Yes |
Laptop Computers | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Phones | Yes | Yes |
Pagers | Yes | Yes |
Personal Data Assistants [PDA�s] | Yes | Yes |
Note: Check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic items during your flight. | ||
Sharp Objects | Carry-on | Checked |
Box Cutters | No | Yes |
Ice Axes/Ice Picks | No | Yes |
Knives [any length and type except round-bladed, butter, and plastic cutlery] | No | Yes |
Meat Cleavers | No | Yes |
Razor-Type Blades, such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors | No | Yes |
Sabers | No | Yes |
Scissors � metal with pointed tips Scissors with plastic or metal blunt tips are permitted in your carry-on. | No | Yes |
Swords | No | Yes |
Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors. | ||
Sporting Goods | Carry-on | Checked |
Baseball Bats | No | Yes |
Bows and Arrows | No | Yes |
Cricket Bats | No | Yes |
Golf Clubs | No | Yes |
Hockey Sticks | No | Yes |
Lacrosse Sticks | No | Yes |
Pool Cues | No | Yes |
Ski Poles | No | Yes |
Spear Guns | No | Yes |
Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. | ||
Guns and Firearms | 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. 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. | No | Yes |
BB guns | No | Yes |
Compressed Air Guns | No | Yes |
Firearms | No | Yes |
Flare Guns | No | No |
Gun Lighters | No | No |
Gun Powder | No | No |
Parts of Guns and Firearms | No | Yes |
Pellet Guns | No | Yes |
Realistic Replicas of Firearms | No | Yes |
Starter Pistols | No | Yes |
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. Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided gun case, and declared to the airline at check-in. Only you, the passenger, may have the key or combination. | ||
Tools | Carry-on | Checked |
Axes and Hatchets | No | Yes |
Cattle Prods | No | Yes |
Crowbars | No | Yes |
Hammers | No | Yes |
Drills [including cordless portable power drills] | No | Yes |
Saws [including cordless portable power saws] | No | Yes |
Screwdrivers [except those in eyeglass repair kits] | No | Yes |
Tools [including but not limited to wrenches and pliers] | No | Yes |
Wrenches and Pliers | No | Yes |
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 | Carry-on | Checked |
Billy Clubs | No | Yes |
Black Jacks | No | Yes |
Brass Knuckles | No | Yes |
Kubatons | No | Yes |
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 Weapons | No | Yes |
Night Sticks | No | Yes |
Nunchakus | No | Yes |
Stun Guns/Shocking Devices | No | Yes |
Throwing Stars | No | Yes |
Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. | ||
Explosive Materials | Carry-on | Checked |
Blasting caps | No | No |
Dynamite | No | No |
Fireworks | No | No |
Flares in any form | No | No |
Hand Grenades | No | No |
Plastic Explosives | No | No |
Flammable Items | Carry-on | Checked |
Aerosol [any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities] | No | No |
Fuels [including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel] | No | No |
Gasoline | No | No |
Gas Torches | No | No |
Lighter Fluid | No | No |
Strike-anywhere Matches | No | No |
Turpentine and paint thinner | No | No |
Note: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. | ||
Disabling Chemicals and Other Dangerous Items | Carry-on | Checked |
Chlorine for pools and spas | No | No |
Compressed Gas Cylinders [including fire extinguishers] | No | No |
Liquid Bleach | No | No |
Spillable Batteries [except those in wheelchairs] | No | No |
Spray Paint | No | No |
Tear Gas | No | No |
Note: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. |
Click here for WTA�s article �Understanding Airport Screening".
To find more information on travel security, click here.