Travelers must be aware that airport security and airline safety regulations strictly limit what can be brought on board. Certain categories of items are not allowed in carry-on bags, and some may be restricted from checked luggage as well. These rules are designed to protect passengers, crew, and aircraft from potential threats and hazards. Below are the main types of items that are commonly restricted or banned when flying:
Sharp Objects
Sporting Goods
Guns & Firearms
Tools
Martial Arts & Self-Defense Items
Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
Other Items
Each of these categories includes specific objects that are considered unsafe or inappropriate for air travel. Below, we’ll break down and examine each group more closely.
Sharp Objects
Item
Carry-on
Checked Bag
Box cutters
Not allowed
Allowed
Ice picks or ice axes
Not allowed
Allowed
Knives (except plastic or round-tipped butter knives)
Not allowed
Allowed
Cleavers for meat
Not allowed
Allowed
Razor-style blades – including box cutters, utility knives, and non-cartridge razor blades (excludes safety razors)
Not allowed
Allowed
Sabers
Not allowed
Allowed
Scissors with metal blades under four inches and pointed tips
Allowed
Allowed
Swords
Not allowed
Allowed
NOTE: If you're packing sharp tools or utensils in your checked luggage, be sure they are wrapped securely or placed in a sheath. This helps protect security officers and baggage handlers from potential injury.
Sporting Goods
Item
Carry-on
Checked Bag
Baseball bats
Not allowed
Allowed
Archery equipment (bows and arrows)
Not allowed
Allowed
Cricket bats
Not allowed
Allowed
Golf clubs
Not allowed
Allowed
Hockey sticks
Not allowed
Allowed
Lacrosse sticks
Not allowed
Allowed
Pool cues
Not allowed
Allowed
Ski poles
Not allowed
Allowed
Spear guns
Not allowed
Allowed
NOTE: Please check the specific information on traveling with special items for details on how to pack sports gear and other equipment properly.
Guns and Firearms
Item
Carry-on
Checked Bag
Ammunition – Must be declared at check-in and packed securely in containers made of fiber, wood, metal, or other approved materials. Airline policies may vary, so check for any restrictions or fees.
Not allowed
Allowed
BB guns
Not allowed
Allowed
Compressed air guns (including paintball markers) – Must not have a compressed air cylinder attached when packed.
Not allowed
Allowed
Firearms – Must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, and declared at check-in.
Not allowed
Allowed
Flare guns – Permitted if unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, and declared at check-in.
Not allowed
Allowed
Flares
Not allowed
Not allowed
Gun lighters
Not allowed
Allowed
Gunpowder (including black powder and percussion caps)
Not allowed
Not allowed
Gun parts
Not allowed
Allowed
Pellet guns
Not allowed
Allowed
Replica firearms that look realistic
Not allowed
Allowed
Starter pistols
Not allowed
Allowed
NOTE: Always check with your airline or travel agent to confirm whether firearms can be packed in your checked luggage. There may be specific rules, limitations, or fees depending on the carrier.
Tools and Equipment
Item
Carry-on
Checked Bag
Axes and hatchets
Not allowed
Allowed
Cattle prods
Not allowed
Allowed
Crowbars
Not allowed
Allowed
Hammers
Not allowed
Allowed
Drills and drill bits, including battery-operated models
Not allowed
Allowed
Saws, including cordless types
Not allowed
Allowed
Tools longer than seven inches
Not allowed
Allowed
Hand tools that are seven inches or shorter
Allowed
Allowed
Screwdrivers (seven inches or less)
Allowed
Allowed
Wrenches and pliers (seven inches or less)
Allowed
Allowed
NOTE: If you are packing tools or sharp objects in checked luggage, make sure they are securely wrapped or placed in a sheath. This helps protect security officers and baggage handlers from injury.
Martial Arts & Self-Defense Items
Item
Carry-on
Checked Bag
Billy clubs
Not allowed
Allowed
Blackjacks
Not allowed
Allowed
Brass knuckles
Not allowed
Allowed
Kubatons
Not allowed
Allowed
Mace/Pepper Spray – One container (118 ml or 4 fl. oz.) is allowed in checked bags if it has a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge.
Not allowed
Allowed
Martial arts weapons
Not allowed
Allowed
Night sticks
Not allowed
Allowed
Nunchakus
Not allowed
Allowed
Stun guns or shocking devices
Not allowed
Allowed
Throwing stars
Not allowed
Allowed
NOTE: If you are packing any sharp self-defense or martial arts items in checked luggage, they must be securely wrapped or placed in a protective sheath to avoid injury to security staff or baggage handlers.
Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
Explosive Materials
Item
Carry-on
Checked Bag
Blasting caps
Not allowed
Not allowed
Dynamite
Not allowed
Not allowed
Fireworks
Not allowed
Not allowed
Flares (in any form)
Not allowed
Not allowed
Hand grenades
Not allowed
Not allowed
Plastic explosives
Not allowed
Not allowed
Realistic replicas of explosives
Not allowed
Not allowed
Flammable Items
Item
Carry-on
Checked Bag
Aerosol cans (other than toiletries or personal care in limited amounts)
Not allowed
Not allowed
Fuels, including cooking fuel and other flammable liquids
Not allowed
Not allowed
Gasoline
Not allowed
Not allowed
Gas torches
Not allowed
Not allowed
Lighter fluid
Not allowed
Not allowed
Common lighters – Only lighters without fuel may be packed in checked bags. Up to two fueled lighters are allowed if enclosed in a DOT-approved case.
Allowed
Not allowed
Torch lighters – These produce a high-intensity flame and are banned.
Not allowed
Not allowed
Strike-anywhere matches – Only one book of safety matches is allowed in carry-on. All matches are banned from checked bags.
Not allowed
Not allowed
Flammable paints
Not allowed
Not allowed
Turpentine or paint thinner
Not allowed
Not allowed
Realistic replicas of incendiary devices
Not allowed
Not allowed
NOTE: Additional hazardous materials may be subject to FAA rules, so confirm the details for any specific items before traveling.
Other Items – Travel Restrictions
Item
Carry-on
Checked Bag
Gel candles
Not allowed
Allowed
Gel shoe inserts – These are not allowed in carry-on bags, but footwear with built-in gel heels is permitted and must be screened separately.
Not allowed
Allowed
Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint
Allowed – in containers 3 oz. or less
Allowed
Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint
Not allowed
Not allowed
Snow globes and similar decorations, regardless of size or documentation
Mary Watson
