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What To Know Before You Go

Permitted and Prohibited Items

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What Can I Bring?

Air travelers may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.

Prohibited Items Brochures
  • Click here to download our
    prohibited items brochure
    (PDF, 112 KB)

The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.

  1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
  2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
  3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines (see details below).

Please keep in mind that these rules were developed after extensive research and understanding of current threats. They are intended to help air travelers bring essential toiletries and other liquids, gels and aerosols for short trips. If you need larger amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols such as toothpaste or shampoo, please place them in your luggage and check them with your airline.

To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of the following liquids, gels and aerosols are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer in front of the checkpoint):

You are allowed reasonable amounts over 3 ounces of the items above in your carry-on baggage, but you will need to perform the following:

  1. Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
  2. Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
  3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.

We have also taken steps to ensure the security of the boarding areas after you pass through our security checkpoints. Therefore, any liquid, gel or aerosol, such as coffee or soda, purchased in the secure area beyond the security checkpoint is allowed aboard your plane. Please note that if you have a layover and are re-screened at your connecting airport the current rules (see above) for carry-ons apply. For more details, get the 3-1-1 for carry-ons.

A printable version of the prohibited items listing is available. Prohibited Items List (PDF 112 KB)

To effectively communicate important security information, we translated these changes into a variety of languages. Security Information In Other Languages

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids.

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Body Piercings

Photo of an belly piercing

Piercings are not prohibited, but may alarm the metal detectors. Ideally, remove body piercings before security screening.

We ask for your cooperation in the screening process by being prepared before you arrive. We also ask that you follow the guidelines above and try not to over-think these guidelines. Please pack liquids, gels, and aerosols in your checked baggage even if you do not normally check a bag.

In addition to liquids, gels, and aerosols numerous other potentially dangerous items are not permitted in carry-on baggage. We strongly encourage travelers to read more about previously prohibited items to avoid complications during screening.

To help you understand and navigate security measures, please click one of the links below.

It is unlikely that additional changes in the liquid, aerosol and gel policy will be made in the near future.

This security regimen applies to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports. Travelers should, however, check with transportation security authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports.

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Makeup, Medication, Personal Items & Special Needs Devices

Item Carry-on Checked
Aerosol spray bottles and cans Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
All creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc. Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Bubble bath balls, bath oils or moisturizers Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Bug and mosquito sprays and repellents Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Cigar Cutters Yes Yes
Corkscrews Yes Yes
Cuticle Cutters Yes Yes
Deodorants made of gel or aerosol Yes -3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Eye drops - You are allowed to carry a 3 oz. or smaller container of eye drops in a clear, one-quart plastic bag. There is no restriction on the amount you may carry, but containers greater than 3 oz. must be declared to the Security Officer and cannot be carried in your clear, one-quart bag. Yes Yes
Eyeglass Repair Tools - including screwdrivers. Yes Yes
Eyelash Curlers Yes Yes
Gel-filled bras and similar prosthetics - Gel-filled bras may be worn through security screening and aboard aircraft. Yes Yes
Hair styling gels and spray of all kinds including aerosol Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Hair Straightener or Detangler Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Knitting and Crochet Needles Yes Yes
Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives. No Yes
Lip gels such as Carmex or Blistex Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Liquid lip glosses or other liquids for lips Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Liquid bubble bath including gel or liquid filled Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Liquid foundations Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Liquid, gel or spray perfumes and colognes Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Liquid sanitizers Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Liquid soaps Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Liquid mascara Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Make up removers or facial cleansers Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Mouthwash Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Nail Clippers Yes Yes
Nail Files Yes Yes
Nail polish and removers Yes -3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Non-prescription liquid or gel medicines like cough syrup and gel cap type pills - You are allowed to carry up to 3 oz., of eye drops in a clear, one-quart plastic bag. Volumes greater than 3 oz. must be declared to the Security Officer and cannot be carried in your clear, one-quart bag. For more details see read our information on liquid medications Yes Yes
Personal lubricants - You are allowed to carry up to 3 oz., of eye drops in a clear, one-quart plastic bag. Volumes greater than 3 oz. must be declared to the Security Officer and cannot be carried in your clear, one-quart bag. Yes Yes
Safety Razors - including disposable razors. Yes Yes
Saline solution - You are allowed to carry up to 3 oz., of eye drops in a clear, one-quart plastic bag. Volumes greater than 3 oz. must be declared to the Security Officer and cannot be carried in your clear, one-quart bag. Yes Yes
Scissors - plastic or metal with blunt tips. Yes Yes
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length. Yes Yes
Shampoos and conditioners Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Toothpaste Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Toy Transformer Robots Yes Yes
Toy Weapons - if not realistic replicas. Yes Yes
Tweezers Yes Yes
Umbrellas- allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed. Yes Yes
Walking Canes - allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed. Yes Yes
NOTE: Some personal care items containing aerosol are regulated as hazardous materials. The FAA regulates hazardous materials. This information is summarized at www.faa.gov.

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Electronic Devices

Item Carry-on Checked
Camcorders (See below) Yes Yes
Camera Equipment - the checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film in camera equipment. We recommend that you either put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on baggage or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask the screener to conduct a hand-inspection. (See below) Yes Yes
Laptop Computers (See below) Yes Yes
Mobile Phones (See below) Yes Yes
Pagers (See below) Yes Yes
Personal Data Assistants (PDA's) (See below) Yes Yes
NOTE: We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on bags
NOTE: Check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic items during your flight.

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Sharp Objects

Item Carry-on Checked
Box Cutters No Yes
Ice Axes/Ice Picks No Yes
Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives No Yes
Meat Cleavers No Yes
Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors. No Yes
Sabers No Yes
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches Yes Yes
Swords No Yes
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

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Sporting Goods

Item Carry-on Checked
Baseball Bats No Yes
Bows and Arrows No Yes
Cricket Bats No Yes
Golf Clubs No Yes
Hockey Sticks No Yes
Lacrosse Sticks No Yes
Pool Cues No Yes
Ski Poles No Yes
Spear Guns No Yes
For more information, please read our Traveling with Special Items section.

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Guns & Firearms

Item Carry-on Checked
Ammunition - Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. If ammunition is permitted, it must be declared to the airline at check-in. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section. No Yes
BB guns No Yes

Compressed Air Guns (to include paintball markers) - Carried in checked luggage without compressed air cylinder attached.

No Yes
Firearms - firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section. No Yes
Flare Guns - May be carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our section on Camping. No Yes
Flares No No
Gun Lighters No Yes
Gun Powder including black powder and percussion caps No No
Parts of Guns and Firearms No Yes
Pellet Guns No Yes
Realistic Replicas of Firearms No Yes
Starter Pistols No Yes
NOTE: Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply.

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Tools

Item Carry-on Checked
Axes and Hatchets No Yes
Cattle Prods No Yes
Crowbars No Yes
Hammers No Yes
Drills and drill bits (including cordless portable power drills) No Yes
Saws (including cordless portable power saws) No Yes
Tools (greater than seven inches in length) No Yes
Tools (seven inches or less in length) Yes Yes
Screwdrivers (seven inches or less in length) Yes Yes
Wrenches and Pliers (seven inches or less in length) Yes Yes
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers.

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Martial Arts & Self Defense Items

Item Carry-on Checked
Billy Clubs No Yes
Black Jacks No Yes
Brass Knuckles No Yes
Kubatons No Yes
Mace/Pepper Spray - One 118 ml or 4 Fl. oz. container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. For more information visit www.faa.gov., click on Passengers, then Preparing to Fly. No Yes
Martial Arts Weapons No Yes
Night Sticks No Yes
Nunchakus No Yes
Stun Guns/Shocking Devices No Yes
Throwing Stars No Yes
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers.

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Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items

Explosive Materials Carry-on Checked
Blasting Caps No No
Dynamite No No
Fireworks No No
Flares (in any form) No No
Hand Grenades No No
Plastic Explosives No No
Realistic Replicas of Explosives No No
Flammable Items Carry-on Checked
Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities) No No
Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel) No No
Gasoline No No
Gas Torches No No
Lighter Fluid No No
Common Lighters - Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation (DOT) exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case. If you are uncertain as to whether your lighter is prohibited, please leave it at home. Yes No
Torch Lighters - Torch lighters create a thin, needle-like flame that is hotter (reaching 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit) and more intense than those from common lighters. Torch lighters are often used for pipes and cigars, and maintain a consistent stream of air-propelled fire regardless of the angle at which it is held. Torch lighters continue to be banned. No No
Strike-anywhere Matches - One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage. No No
Flammable Paints (See Other Items below for non-flammable paints) No No
Turpentine and Paint Thinner No No
Realistic Replicas of Incendiaries No No
NOTE: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is summarized at www.faa.gov, click on Passengers, then Preparing to Fly.
Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items Carry-on Checked
Chlorine for Pools and Spas No No
Small compressed gas cartridges
(Up to 2 in life vests and 2 spares)		 Yes Yes
Fire extinguishers and other compressed gas cylinders No No
Liquid Bleach No No
Spillable Batteries - except those in wheelchairs No No
Spray Paint No No
Tear Gas No No
NOTE: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is summarized at www.faa.gov.

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Food & Drinks

Item Carry-on Checked
Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in containers LARGER than 3 oz. No Yes
Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in a 3 oz. or smaller container and in your quart-size, zip-top plastic bag. Yes Yes
Beverages purchased after security screening Yes Yes
Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Learn more about traveling with children. Yes Yes
Canned or jarred goods such as soup, sauces, peanut butter, fruits, vegetables and jellies Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Cheese in pressurized containers Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Duty free alcohol and other items (Please see our section on Duty Free Items) Yes, but some restrictions apply. Yes
Gel based sports supplements Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Jell-O's Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Pudding Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Whipped cream Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Yogurt or gel like food substances Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) - A product most commonly found in MRE's, used to heat food packages. There is no limit on the number of MREs an individual may possess in checked or carry-on baggage, but the MRE(s) containing FRH(s) must be unopened (original factory seal is unbroken) Yes Yes

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Other Items

Item Carry-on Checked
Gel-type candles No Yes
Gel shoe inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened. Read more on our shoe screening policy. No Yes
Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint No No
Snow globes and like decorations regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation. No Yes

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