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Can I Bring It on a Plane?
Carry-on and checked-baggage rules for the items people ask about most — liquids, food, power banks, batteries, razors, lighters, medication, alcohol, tools, sports gear — with TSA, EU and UK differences.
Water bottle
Empty bottles are fine; filled bottles over 100 ml must be emptied before security. Fill up at a fountain airside.
water bottle drinks hydro flaskAlcohol
Carry-on: only mini bottles under 100 ml in your liquids bag, or duty-free in a sealed tamper-evident bag. Checked: up to 5 litre…
wine beer spirits whisky vodka liquor duty freePeanut butter (and spreads)
Counts as a gel: jars over 100 ml go in checked bags. Small jars or single-serve packets under 100 ml are fine in the liquids bag.
nutella hummus jam spread honey cream cheese yogurtSandwiches and solid food
Solid food is allowed through security in any amount — sandwiches, fruit, snacks, cakes, hard cheese. Sauces and spreads over 100…
food snacks fruit cake chocolate nuts mealCheese
Hard cheese is solid — allowed in carry-on. Soft or spreadable cheese (brie, cream cheese) counts as a gel over 100 ml. Customs m…
brie cheddar parmesan dairyMedication (prescription and over-the-counter)
Allowed in carry-on in any reasonable quantity, including liquid medication over 100 ml (declare it at security). Keep prescripti…
pills prescription insulin inhaler epipen medicinePower bank / portable charger
Carry-on only, never checked. Up to 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh) freely; 100–160 Wh with airline approval; over 160 Wh banned. Many…
portable charger battery pack anker chargerSpare lithium batteries
Spare (uninstalled) lithium batteries — camera, drone, laptop — go in carry-on only, terminals protected, same Wh limits as power…
camera battery drone battery AA batteries batteryLaptop and tablet
Allowed in carry-on; you'll usually remove it for X-ray unless in a CT-scanner or PreCheck lane. Airlines and regulators strongly…
macbook ipad computer tablet kindleE-cigarettes and vapes
Carry-on only — never in checked bags, because of the battery. Using or charging them on board is banned. Several countries (Sing…
vape e-cig juul elf bar vapingLighter
One disposable or Zippo-style lighter on your person or in carry-on in the US and most countries; not in checked bags. Torch (jet…
zippo matches torch lighter bicScissors
US: blades under 4 inches (10 cm) from the pivot are allowed in carry-on. EU/UK: blades 6 cm or shorter. Larger scissors must be…
nail scissors craft scissors sewing kitPocket knife / multi-tool
Any knife with a blade is banned from carry-on in the US and most countries (the UK/EU allow blades up to 6 cm at some airports,…
knife swiss army knife leatherman multitool bladeRazor
Disposable razors and cartridge razors are allowed in carry-on. Safety razor blades and straight razors are not — check them. Ele…
shaver shaving safety razor bladesAerosols and deodorant
Carry-on: aerosol toiletries under 100 ml in the liquids bag. Checked: toiletry aerosols allowed up to 500 ml per container and 2…
deodorant hairspray sunscreen spray spray antiperspirantToothpaste and liquid toiletries
Toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, mouthwash and gels: under 100 ml each in one clear quart bag for carry-on; any size in checked bags.…
shampoo lotion mouthwash makeup mascara contact lens solution sunscreenUmbrella
Umbrellas are allowed in carry-on and checked bags, including compact and full-size. Very long or sharp-tipped umbrellas may be a…
parasolCamera and drone
Cameras, lenses and drones are allowed in carry-on (recommended). Spare batteries must be in the cabin; drones can be checked onl…
dslr mirrorless gopro dji tripod lensHair straightener / curling iron
Corded straighteners and curling irons are fine in both bags. Cordless (battery) models: carry-on only with the battery protected…
flat iron curling wand hair dryer dyson airwrapSports equipment (bats, rackets, poles, clubs)
Rackets are usually allowed in carry-on; bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, ski poles, hiking poles and bows must be checked. Balls…
racket bat golf clubs ski poles hiking poles trekking poles surfboard bike helmetTools (screwdrivers, wrenches, drills)
US: tools 7 inches (18 cm) or shorter are allowed in carry-on; longer tools, drills, saws, crowbars and hammers must be checked.…
screwdriver wrench hammer drill pliers sawCBD and cannabis products
In the US, hemp-derived CBD under 0.3% THC is allowed by TSA; cannabis remains federally illegal to fly with even between legal s…
cbd oil weed marijuana edibles thc gummiesCigarettes and tobacco
Cigarettes, cigars and loose tobacco are allowed in both bags with no aviation limit; customs limits apply on arrival (typically…
cigars tobacco iqos snus chewing tobaccoBaby formula, breast milk and baby food
Exempt from the 100 ml rule in reasonable quantities for the journey, even without the child present in the US. Declare at securi…
formula breast milk baby food pouches milkPets (cats and dogs)
Small cats and dogs can fly in the cabin in an approved under-seat carrier on many airlines for a fee; larger pets travel as chec…
dog cat pet carrier emotional support animal service animalCash (large amounts)
There is no aviation limit on cash, but you must declare amounts over $10,000 (or €10,000) when entering or leaving most countrie…
money currency cash limit declare cashSnow globes and liquid-filled souvenirs
Snow globes count as liquids: only tennis-ball size or smaller (about 100 ml of liquid) in the carry-on liquids bag. Larger ones…
snow globe souvenir maple syrup olive oil saucePepper spray, tasers and self-defense items
Pepper spray and mace: never in carry-on; one small can (under 118 ml with a safety mechanism) in checked bags on US domestic fli…
pepper spray mace taser stun gun brass knuckles tactical penFirearms and ammunition
Never in the cabin. In the US, unloaded firearms may be checked in a locked hard case, declared at check-in, with ammunition in o…
gun rifle pistol ammo bullets bb gun airsoftMusical instruments
Small instruments (violin, trumpet, ukulele) are allowed in carry-on if they fit the overhead bin or under the seat; US airlines…
guitar violin ukulele cello keyboard trumpetWheelchairs, mobility aids and CPAP machines
Assistive devices fly free and don't count toward bag allowances. Manual wheelchairs, walkers, canes and CPAP machines can go in…
wheelchair cpap walker cane crutches mobility scooterIce packs and frozen food
Ice packs must be completely frozen solid at screening to pass carry-on; partially melted packs are liquids. Frozen food follows…
ice frozen dry ice gel pack cooler seafoodProtein powder and powders
Powders are allowed in carry-on, but in the US containers over 12 oz (350 ml) need separate screening and may be refused; on flig…
protein supplements coffee grounds spices flour baby powder powderNail clippers, files and tweezers
Nail clippers, nail files, tweezers and small grooming tools are allowed in carry-on everywhere. Metal nail files with sharp poin…
tweezers nail file clippers nail polishChargers, cables and adapters
Wall chargers, cables and travel adapters are unrestricted in both bags. Only the batteries matter: power banks in the cabin, eve…
charger cable adapter plug converter smart luggagePerfume and cologne
Carry-on: bottles under 100 ml in the liquids bag, or duty-free in the sealed security bag. Checked: allowed as a toiletry up to…
fragrance cologne eau de toilette aftershaveWrapped gifts
Allowed, but security may unwrap gifts in carry-on if the X-ray needs a closer look. Wrap after you arrive, or use gift bags. The…
presents gifts christmas giftsE-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards
Almost all airlines ban hoverboards, e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-bikes with their batteries because the lithium packs exceed…
hoverboard e-scooter electric scooter e-bike electric skateboard onewheelKnitting needles and crochet hooks
Allowed in carry-on by TSA and in the UK/EU, though individual officers can refuse metal needles. Bamboo or plastic needles and c…
knitting crochet needles yarnMatches
One book of safety (strike-on-box) matches on your person in the US and most countries; not in checked bags. Strike-anywhere matc…
matchbook safety matchesSummaries reflect US TSA rules first, with EU/UK and notable country differences called out. Security screening (what can go through the checkpoint) is separate from customs (what can enter a country) — food, cash and medication often clear one and not the other. Screening officers can refuse any item. Verify on tsa.gov or your airport's site for anything unusual.