TSA’s Checklist of Permitted & Prohibited Items

Bringing a prohibited item to an airport security checkpoint—even accidentally—is illegal. You may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted or, at the least, asked to rid yourself of the item. A screener and/or Law Enforcement Officer will make this determination, depending on what the item is and the circumstances.

Your prohibited item may be detained for use in an investigation and, if necessary, as evidence in your criminal and/or civil prosecution. If permitted by the screener or Law Enforcement Officer, you may be allowed to:  consult with the airlines for possible assistance in placing the prohibited item in checked baggage; withdraw with the item from the screening checkpoint at that time; make other arrangements for the item, such as taking it to your car; or, voluntarily WTAndon the item. Items that are voluntarily WTAndoned cannot be recovered and will not be returned to you.

Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and include items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons—the so-called “dual use” items.  You may not bring these items to security checkpoints without authorization.

Or go directly to a specific category:

• Personal Items
• Medication and Special Needs Devices
• Electronic Devices
• Sharp Objects
• Sporting Goods
• Guns and Firearms
• Tools
• Martial Arts/Self Defense Items
• Explosive Materials
• Flammable Items
• Disabling Chemicals and Other Dangerous Items

The following chart outlines items that are permitted and items that are prohibited in your carry-on or checked baggage. You should note that some items are allowed in your checked baggage, but not your carry-on. Also pay careful attention to the “Notes” included at the bottom of each section – they contain important information about restrictions.

The prohibited and permitted items chart is not intended to be all-inclusive and is updated as necessary. To ensure everyone’s security, the screener may determine that an item not on the prohibited items chart is prohibited. In addition, the screener may also determine that an item on the permitted chart is dangerous and therefore may not be brought through the security checkpoint.

The chart applies to flights originating within the United States. Please check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions at destinations outside of the United States.

For updates and for more information, visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov/traveler-information or call the Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 or email TSA@tsa.dot.gov.

Can I take it?

Personal Items

Carry-on

Checked

Cigar Cutters

Yes

Yes

Corkscrews

Yes

Yes

Cuticle Cutters

Yes

Yes

Eyeglass Repair Tools (including screwdrivers)

Yes

Yes

Eyelash Curlers 

Yes

Yes

Knitting and Crochet Needles

Yes

Yes

Knives, round-bladed butter or plastic

Yes

Yes

Nail Clippers

Yes

Yes

Nail Files

Yes

Yes

Personal care or toiletries with aerosols, in limited quantities (such as hairsprays, deodorants)

Yes

Yes

Safety Razors (including disposable razors) 

Yes

Yes

Scissors-plastic or metal with blunt tips

Yes

Yes

No

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

Yes

Yes

Note: Some personal care items containing aerosol are regulated as hazardous materials. The FAA regulates hazardous materials. This information is summarized at https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/ 

Medication and Special Needs Devices

Carry-on

Checked

Braille Note-Taker, Slate and Stylus, Augmentation Devices

Yes

Yes

Diabetes-Related Supplies/Equipment (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed) including: insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products; vials or box of individual vials; jet injectors; pens; infusers; and preloaded syringes; and an unlimited number of unused syringes, when accompanied by insulin; lancets; blood glucose meters; blood glucose meter test strips; insulin pumps; and insulin pump supplies.  Insulin in any form or dispenser must be properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer’s name or pharmaceutical label.

Yes

Yes

Nitroglycerine pills or spray for medical use (if properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer’s name or pharmaceutical label)

Yes

Yes

Prosthetic Device Tools and Appliances, including drill, allen wrenches, pullsleeves used to put on or remove prosthetic devices, if carried by the individual with the prosthetic device or his or her companion

Yes

Yes

Electronic Devices

Carry-on

Checked

Yes

Yes

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. 

Yes

 Yes

Yes

Yes

Mobile Phones

Yes

Yes

Pagers

Yes

Yes

Personal Data Assistants (PDA’s)

Yes

Yes

Note: Check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic items during your flight.

Sharp Objects

Carry-on

Checked

No

Yes

Ice Axes/Ice Picks

No

Yes

Knives (any length and type except round-bladed, butter, and plastic cutlery)

No

Yes

No

Yes

Razor-Type Blades, such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors

No

Yes

No

Yes

Scissors – metal with pointed tips

Scissors with plastic or metal blunt tips are permitted in your carry-on.

No

Yes

No

Yes

Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

Sporting Goods

Carry-on

Checked

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

Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. 

Guns and Firearms

Carry-on

Checked

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.

No

Yes

No

Yes

Compressed Air Guns

No

Yes

Firearms

No

Yes

Flare Guns

No

No

Gun Lighters

No

No

Gun Powder

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. Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided gun case, and declared to the airline at check-in. Only you, the passenger, may have the key or combination.

Tools

Carry-on

Checked

No

Yes

Cattle Prods

No

Yes

Crowbars

No

Yes

Hammers

No

Yes

Drills (including cordless portable power drills)

No

Yes

Saws (including cordless portable power saws)

No

Yes

Screwdrivers (except those in eyeglass repair kits)

No

Yes

Tools (including but not limited to wrenches and pliers)

No

Yes

Wrenches and Pliers

No

Yes

Note: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners.

Martial Arts/Self Defense Items

Carry-on

Checked

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. 

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 screeners.

Explosive Materials

Carry-on

Checked

No

No

Dynamite

No

No

Fireworks

No

No

Flares in any form

No

No

Hand Grenades

No

No

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

Strike-anywhere Matches

No

No

Turpentine and paint thinner

No

No

Note: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. 

Disabling Chemicals and Other Dangerous Items

Carry-on

Checked

No

No

Compressed Gas Cylinders (including fire extinguishers)

No

No

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.