Some of the common toiletry and electronics items you may have packed in your baggage may be considered dangerous goods, also known as hazardous material. Most dangerous goods are forbidden in carry-on and checked baggage. There are a few exceptions for some personal items such as toiletries, medicines, battery powered electronics and assistive devices. Dangerous goods discovered that are improperly packaged, not permitted in baggage, leaking, or hidden/artfully concealed are subject to civil and criminal penalties as appropriate.
For a Safe Start, Check the Chart!
Check the chart to see which common dangerous goods are allowed in checked and/or carry-on baggage and which are not. The checked baggage rules also apply to carry-on bags that are checked at the gate or at planeside.
When using the chart, it's very important to read the "Details" section for important information such as packaging requirements and quantity limits. You can use the "Search" box to look up a particular item by name within the active tab.
Remember, this is just a listing of common dangerous goods; if you don't see your item here it doesn't mean it's allowed in baggage. When in doubt, leave it out!
Security Screening Questions: The Transportation Security Administration also has rules on "prohibited items" that pose a security threat. Though they sometimes overlap, the TSA security rules are separate from the FAA dangerous goods safety rules discussed here. For the TSA rules on weapons, sharp objects, the "3-1-1" rule on liquids, gels, hand sanitizers, and aerosols, etc.; go to the TSA Prohibited Items web page.
Damaged or Recalled Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices
Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat, must not be carried aboard an aircraft (e.g. carry-on or checked baggage) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed or otherwise made safe. The airline may offer further public guidance on transporting individual recalled products.
For additional information on recalls, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission, manufacturer, or vendor website.
For HAZMAT-related questions, contact us at hazmatinfo@faa.gov.
Hazardous Material | Category | Checked Bag | Carry On | |
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![]() Non-toiletry, WD-40, spray paint, spray starch, cooking spray, etc. |
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![]() Nonflammable aerosols (with no other hazard), Non-toiletry, Some electronics cleaners, whipped cream |
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![]() Rubber cement, pipe cement, some super glues and other flammable adhesives |
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![]() Cartridges up to 19.1mm, shotgun shells |
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![]() In unopened retail packaging, containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume (up to 140 proof) |
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![]() Power Banks, Cell phone battery charging cases, rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries, cell phone batteries, laptop batteries |
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![]() Greater than 118 ml (4 fluid ounces), bear spray, animal repellent |
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![]() Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other nonflammable, nontoxic gases |
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![]() Cordless curling iron containing a gas cartridge, butane fueled curling irons |
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![]() Carbon dioxide, solid, 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) or less, when used to pack perishables |
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![]() Perfumes and colognes purchased through airport and airline duty free shops |
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![]() Diving lamps, soldering equipment |
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! See Details | ! See Details | |
![]() Firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers, sparklers |
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![]() Chainsaws, generators, trimmers, etc. |
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![]() Heart pacemakers that contain radioactive materials or lithium batteries and radiopharmaceuticals that have been ingested, injected, or implanted. |
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![]() Safety matches, waterproof matches |
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![]() Including thinners, turpentine, MEK, denatured alcohol, acetone, resins, lacquers, varnishes, stains |
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![]() Cell phones, cell phone battery charging cases, laptop, camera, smart phones, PDAs containing lithium batteries |
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! See Details |
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![]() Inogen One, Sequal Eclipse, Airsep Lifestyle and others approved by the FAA |
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![]() Mace, pepper spray not exceeding 118 ml (4 fluid ounces) |
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![]() Inflatable life jackets, motorcycle vests, riding vests |
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![]() Small medical thermometer |
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![]() Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter |
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![]() Including hairspray, hand sanitizers, aerosols, rubbing alcohol, inhalers, nail polish and remover, etc. |
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![]() Unabsorbed liquid (desk/table lighters, antique wick lighters), Absorbed liquids, butane (Zippo type lighters and disposable lighters) |
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! See Details | |
![]() Alkaline, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium |
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![]() Small gel cell and absorbed electrolyte batteries for portable electronics |
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![]() Medical oxygen, recreational oxygen |
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![]() Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter |
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![]() Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter |
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![]() Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter |
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![]() Including containers and equipment with residual fuel |
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![]() Chainsaws, generators, trimmers, etc. |
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![]() Greater than 70% alcohol by volume (more than 140 proof), including grain alcohol and 151 proof rum |
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![]() Containing formaldehyde, ethanol, isopropanol, or other alcohols |
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![]() Carried by government weather bureau or similar official agency. |
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![]() School glue, glue sticks, etc. |
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![]() Disposable warming pads using carbon, charcoal, and iron compounds. Hot Hands, Little Hotties, etc. |
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![]() Battery-powered E-cigarettes (e-cigs), vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems |
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![]() Motor oil, engine oil, 3-in-1 oil, baby oil, mineral oil, body oil, olive oil, most cooking oils |
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![]() Watercolors, acrylics, pigments and most artist oil paints |
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![]() Water test kits, soil test kits, children's chemistry sets, etc., when containing hazardous materials |
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![]() Instant/rapid ice packs that are activated by force—when used for medical/first aid purposes. |
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![]() Hover boards, self-balancing scooters, unicycle scooters, etc. |
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! See Details | ! See Details | |
![]() Batteries and Electronics |
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! See Details | ! See Details | |
![]() Tesla coil lighters, flux lighters, arc lighters and double arc lighters |
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![]() Attaché cases, cash boxes, cash bags |
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What is a Hazardous Material?
From lithium batteries to aerosol whipped cream, many items used every day at home or work are regulated as hazardous materials (a.k.a. "hazmat" and "dangerous goods"). These products may seem harmless; however, when transported by air they can be very dangerous. Vibrations, static electricity, and temperature and pressure variations can cause items to leak, generate toxic fumes, start a fire, or even explode. Hazardous materials include, but are not limited to: Explosives, Gases, Flammable Liquids and Solids, Oxidizers, Toxic and Infectious Materials, Radioactive Materials, Corrosives and many other items that can endanger the traveling public when not handled correctly. The good news is that many of the hazardous materials we can't live without are allowed in our baggage, but only if we follow the rules.
The Hazmat Rules
The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) are federal transportation safety rules found in 49 CFR, parts 171-180. The FAA enforces the HMR in aviation. Passengers violating the HMR can be fined from $250 to $50,000. Those who intentionally violate the regulations are subject to a criminal penalty of up to $500,000 and/or five years imprisonment. So, it is important to know what items are hazardous materials and whether or not they are allowed in the aircraft cabin or in checked baggage.
Note: The Transportation Security Administration also has rules on "prohibited items" that pose a security threat. Though they sometimes overlap, the TSA security rules are separate from the FAA hazmat safety rules discussed here. For the TSA rules on weapons, sharp objects, the "3-1-1" rule on liquids, gels, and aerosols, etc.; go to the TSA Prohibited Items web page.