What Can I Bring?

Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport. Know what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage before arriving at the airport by reviewing the lists below. 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. Read about civil penalties for prohibited items.

For items not listed here, our AskTSA team looks forward to answering your questions 365 days a year; live assistance is available from 8 am – 6 pm (ET).
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The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

Officers may ask you to power up your electronic device, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. TSA does not read or copy information from your device.

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Hair Straightener, flat iron (with cord)

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

Electric curling irons and hair straighteners with cords are not restricted unless they also include batteries or gas/fuel cartridges See Hair Straightener (cordless) for more information.

Heated Jackets / Sweaters

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

See the FAA regulations on batteries.

Insulin Pumps and Glucose Monitors

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes

Please notify the TSA officer that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin, and insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified. For more information, see TSA special procedures.

If you need assistance with screening, you may ask for a Passenger Support Specialist or a Supervisory TSA Officer.

Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage. Most other consumer electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

For more information to portable electronic devices, see the FAA regulations.

Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less in a device

Carry On Bags: Yes
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only. Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries are limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery. Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. These limits allow for nearly all types of lithium batteries used by the average person in their electronic devices.

This instruction covers spare lithium metal and spare rechargeable lithium ion batteries for personal electronics such as cameras, cell phones, laptop computers, tablets, watches, calculators, etc. This instruction also includes external battery chargers (portable rechargers and power banks) containing a lithium ion battery. For more information, see the FAA regulations on batteries.

For lithium batteries that are installed in a device (laptop, cell phone, camera, etc.), see FAA regulations for "portable electronic devices, containing batteries".

Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: No

Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only.

With airline approval, passengers may also carry up to two spare larger lithium ion batteries (101–160 Wh) or lithium metal batteries (2-8 grams). This size covers the larger after-market extended-life laptop computer batteries and some larger batteries used in professional audio/visual equipment. There is a limit of two spare batteries per person for the larger lithium ion batteries described above (101–160 watt hours per battery. For more information, see the FAA regulations on batteries.

This instruction covers spare lithium metal and spare rechargeable lithium ion batteries for personal electronics such as cameras, cell phones, laptop computers, tablets, watches, calculators, etc. This instruction also includes external battery chargers (portable rechargers and power banks) containing a lithium ion battery. For lithium batteries that are installed in a device (laptop, cell phone, camera, etc.), see FAA regulations for "portable electronic devices, containing batteries."

Medical-Clinical Thermometer (Mercury)

Carry On Bags: No
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

The FAA allows one small Medical-Clinical Thermometer (Mercury) per passenger for personal use in checked bag only.

The thermometer must be in a protective case.

Tip: Thermometers with a red line instead of silver are not mercury and not restricted. Digital thermometers are also not restricted, unless powered by lithium batteries. See FAA regulations for more information on quantity limits.

Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs and APAPs are allowed in carry-on bags but must be removed from the carrying case and undergo X-ray screening. Facemasks and tubing may remain in the case.

You may provide a clear plastic bag to place the device in for X-ray screening. A TSA officer may need to remove the device from the bag to test it for traces of explosives.

Liquids associated with nebulizers are exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule, in reasonable quantities. For more information, see TSA special procedures.

Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage. Most other consumer electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

For more information to portable electronic devices, see the FAA regulations.

Non-Spillable Wet Batteries

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

The information in this entry is limited to non-spillable batteries with absorbed electrolyte (gel cell, absorbed glass mat, etc.) used in portable electronic devices. It does not cover large vehicle batteries. For battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility devices, see separate entry.

The battery voltage must not exceed 12 volts and the battery watt hour rating must not exceed 100 watt hours.

Battery-powered equipment must be protected against accidental activation and the evolution of heat, and damage to the terminal posts. See FAA regulations for full packaging requirements.

No more than two spare (not installed in device/equipment) batteries may be carried.