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.

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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.

Flammables

Arc Lighters, Plasma Lighters, Electronic Lighters, E-Lighters

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

Measures must be taken to prevent unintentional activation of the heating element while on board the aircraft. Examples of effective measures to prevent unintentional activation include, but are not limited to: removing the battery from the lighter; placing the lighter into a protective case; and/or using a protective cover, safety latch, or locking device on the lighter's activation button.

Each lithium ion battery must not exceed a Watt-hour (Wh) rating of 100 Wh; or for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content of 2 grams.

Recharging of the devices and/or the batteries on board the aircraft is not permitted.

See FAA regulations for more information.

Bang Snaps

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Blasting Caps

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Butane

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Chlorine for Pools and Spas

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Cigarettes

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: Yes

Cigars

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: Yes

CO2 Cartridge

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Except for personal medical oxygen cylinders, you can only carry an EMPTY compressed gas cylinder onboard a plane. To be permitted (in either carry-on or checked baggage), it must be clearly visible to the TSA officer that the cylinder is empty.

Disposable and Zippo Lighters

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

Disposable and Zippo lighters without fuel are allowed in checked bags. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked bags, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case.

Dry batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D)

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: Yes

This entry applies to typical non-lithium dry batteries (alkaline, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, etc.) in the most common sizes: AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, etc.

Batteries must be protected from damage and creating sparks or a dangerous evolution of heat.  For more information, see the FAA regulations on batteries.