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, simply snap a picture or send a question to AskTSA on Facebook Messenger or Twitter. We look forward to answering your questions, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET weekdays; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends/holidays.

 

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

Flammables

Gel-Type Candles

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: Yes

Hand Grenades

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Lighter Fluid

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Liquid Bleach

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less in a device

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

Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less may be carried in a device in either carry-on or checked bags. Loose lithium batteries are prohibited in checked bags. For more information, see the FAA regulations on batteries.

Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours

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

Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours may be allowed in carry-on bags with airline approval. One spare battery, not exceeding 300 watt hours, or two spare batteries, not exceeding 160 watt hours each, are permitted in carry-on bags. For more information, see the FAA regulations on batteries.

Lithium Battery Powered Lighters

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: No

Non-Spillable Wet Batteries

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

No more than two spare non-spillable wet batteries are allowed as long as each battery does not exceed 12 volts and 100 watt hours.

Party Poppers

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Pepper Spray

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: Yes

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.