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  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Security Screening
  4. What Can I Bring?

What Can I Bring?

Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport.

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).

Item Carry on bags Checked bags
Peanut Butter

TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.

Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) Yes
Pellet Guns

Check with your airline to see if they allow firearms in checked bags. Read the guidelines for traveling with firearms.

When traveling, be sure to comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international government.

No Yes (Special Instructions)
Pen
Yes Yes
Pencil Sharpeners
Yes Yes
Pepper Spray

One 4 fl. oz. (118 ml) 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 percent by mass of tear gas (CS or CN) are prohibited in checked baggage. For more information, visit faa.gov.

We recommend checking with your airline as some may not allow this item in checked bags.

No Yes
Perfume

The FAA limits the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, in checked baggage. The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces). See the FAA regulations for more information.

Permitted aerosol release devices (button/nozzle) must be protected by caps or other suitable means to prevent accidental release.

Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) Yes
Permeation devices for calibrating air quality

The FAA limits the total quantity of hazardous materials in the device to 2 ml (0.07 oz.). The device and its packaging cannot weigh more than 30 kg (66 pounds).

Please see FAA regulations for information on how the device must be constructed and packaged.

No Yes (Special Instructions)
Pet food (solid)

Dry or "moist" pet food is considered solid food.

TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.

Yes Yes
Pet food (wet)

Wet food must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-on bags. There is no medical exemption for prescription pet food, even for service animals.

TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.

Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) Yes
Phone Chargers

Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags. Spare lithium batteries, which include both power banks and phone chargers, are prohibited in checked luggage.

For more information, see the FAA guidance on portable rechargers.

Yes No
 

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.