Quick Reference: Allowed or Not?
- Liquids & Gels - Limited to 100ml per item in carry-on
- Lithium Batteries - Special rules apply
- Sharp Objects - Knives, scissors, razors generally prohibited
- Power Banks - Large capacity restricted
- Sports Equipment - Golf clubs, baseball bats may have fees
🚫 Liquids, Gels & Aerosols Rule
The 100ml Rule
In Carry-On: Maximum 100ml (3.4 fl oz) per item. All items must fit in a single 1-liter clear plastic bag.
In Checked Baggage: No restrictions on amount (but weight limits apply).
What Counts as Liquid or Gel?
✅ Often Forgotten Items (These ARE liquids)
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant (spray)
- Perfume & cologne
- Aftershave
- Moisturizer & lotion
- Sunscreen
- Hair gel & wax
- Makeup (liquid/cream)
- Honey & peanut butter
❌ Usually Allowed (Solid or powder)
- Deodorant (solid stick)
- Powder makeup
- Eye shadow (powder)
- Lipstick (solid)
- Solid soap
- Dry shampoo (powder)
- Talcum powder
- Protein powder
- Sugar, salt, spices
- Coffee, tea (dry)
Special Exceptions
| Item | Carry-On | Checked | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medications (liquid) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Must be for personal use. Keep label. |
| Baby formula/food | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Reasonable amounts. May need testing. |
| Peanut butter/honey | ✅ Yes (≤100ml) | ✅ Yes | Considered liquid/paste. Limited in carry-on. |
| Hand sanitizer | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (limit) | Banned from carry-on, limited in checked. |
🔪 Sharp Objects
❌ NOT Allowed in Carry-On
- Knives (any size)
- Box cutters
- Scissors (>6cm/2.5 inches)
- Razors (loose blades)
- Needles (loose)
- Darts
- Spears
- Axes
- Ice picks
- Meat cleavers
- Swords
- Crossbows
- Harpoons
- Lances
- Machetes
- Chainsaw
✅ Usually Allowed
- Small scissors - Rounded tips, blades ≤6cm OK in carry-on
- Electric razors - OK in carry-on and checked
- Razor cartridges - In cartridge form OK in carry-on
- Knitting needles - Blunt needles may be allowed
- Crochet hooks - Usually allowed
- Safety pins - OK if covered
- Hypodermic needles - If for medications (with prescription label)
🔋 Batteries & Electronics
Lithium batteries can be dangerous at high altitude. Strict rules apply.
Lithium Batteries Rules
| Item | Carry-On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone battery | ✅ Yes (1-2) | ❌ No |
| Laptop battery | ✅ Yes (1-2) | ❌ No |
| Spare batteries (loose) | ✅ Limited | ❌ No |
| Power bank (≤20,000 mAh) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Power bank (>20,000 mAh) | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Regular Batteries (Non-Lithium)
AA, AAA, C, D, 9V batteries: Usually allowed in carry-on (up to 2 of each type). Terminals must be insulated to prevent short circuits. Checked baggage: Ask airline.
Electronics You Can Bring
- ✅ Laptop & tablet
- ✅ Mobile phone
- ✅ E-reader
- ✅ Bluetooth speaker
- ✅ Headphones
- ✅ Portable charger (≤20,000 mAh)
- ✅ Camera (including drone batteries - check rules)
- ✅ Smartwatch
- ✅ Portable WiFi hotspot
⛳ Sports Equipment
Most sports equipment can fly with you, but some items require special handling or fees.
| Equipment | Carry-On | Checked | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf clubs | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | May have fee, check with airline |
| Skis & snowboard | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Count as baggage or special fee |
| Tennis racket | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Put in protective case |
| Baseball bat | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Counted as special item |
| Bicycle | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Must be in bike case/box |
| Surfboard | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Usually charged as oversized |
| Climbing equipment | ❌ No | ✅ Partial | Carabiners OK, ropes/harness ask |
🌍 Rules Vary by Destination
USA Flights (TSA Rules)
Generally more strict than IATA rules:
- Lighter with fuel banned
- Matches banned in carry-on (2 boxes in checked OK)
- More scrutiny on batteries
- Stricter on sharp objects
EU Flights
Similar to IATA but some variations:
- Lighter rules similar to USA
- Some EU airlines stricter on sporting goods
- Check with your specific airline
Africa & Middle East
Generally follow IATA rules:
- SAA, Emirates, Qatar usually standard IATA
- Some African airlines vary
- Always check with your specific airline
Frequently Asked Questions
❌ NO. Lighters with fuel are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage on all flights from/to the USA and most international flights. One lighter without fuel may be allowed in checked baggage only (ask airline).
✅ Security will confiscate it. You won't get it back. No fine usually, but you'll lose the item. If you realize before packing, you can mail it to your destination or leave it at home. Best practice: pack 2-3 hours early in case something needs to be removed.
❌ NO. Checked baggage has fewer restrictions (no liquids in carry-on, but OK in checked). Carry-on bags have more restrictions (100ml liquids rule, most sharp objects prohibited). The most secure place is usually checked baggage (it's not scanned as strictly).
⚠️ It depends. Scissors with blades ≤6cm (2.5 inches) are usually allowed in carry-on if tips are rounded. Anything larger is prohibited. Checked baggage: Usually OK if blades are <6cm. Ask at check-in to be sure.
Still Not Sure What You Can Bring?
Check your airline's baggage policy or contact them directly before packing.