Yes — unopened COVID-19 home tests can go in carry-on or checked bags; used kits with samples can’t go in carry-on and require UN3373 packaging.
Bringing A Covid Test On Your Flight: Simple Rules
You can pack unused at-home antigen kits in both bags. Keep the buffer vials sealed. Put them in your quart bag with liquids. Used kits contain a sample and stay out of carry-on. If you need to move a collected sample, follow airline and carrier rules instead of tossing it in your backpack.
Security officers see these boxes all week. Neat packing helps. Keep the box or tuck the pieces into a clear pouch. Don’t open anything until you’re ready to test at your destination or in your hotel. That avoids leaks and saves space.
What Counts As A Covid Test In Your Bag
Many travelers carry rapid antigen kits from a pharmacy. Those include a swab, a small buffer tube, and a cassette. Some add a video proctor. Mail-in PCR kits use a tube that a lab processes later.
The quick rule: sealed, unused kits travel as consumer items. They pass X-ray just like toiletries. Once a sample is inside a tube, it becomes a diagnostic specimen. That change matters because it triggers a different set of transport rules meant for labs and couriers, not passenger bags.
| COVID Test Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unused rapid antigen kit (sealed) | Yes in carry-on | Yes in checked; place buffer vials in your quart bag and keep everything sealed until use (see the TSA liquids rule). |
| Proctored self-test kit (unused) | Yes in carry-on | Yes in checked; keep device, earbuds, and any power bank in carry-on only; store the kit flat. |
| Mail-in PCR kit without sample | Yes in carry-on | Yes in checked; keep the empty tube capped and pack the liquid with your toiletries. |
| Used kit or any collected sample | No in carry-on | Only with special handling; use the kit’s shipper and UN3373 packaging guidance from DOT instead of putting a sample in luggage. |
| Bulk boxes for resale | Allowed but may be inspected | Allowed but may draw questions; keep receipts and check import rules for your destination. |
Liquid Vials And The 3-1-1 Rule
Buffer tubes are liquids, so treat them like shampoo minis and keep them in your quart bag. Retail tubes are under the carry-on limit. Keep caps tight and use the tray that comes in the box. See the TSA liquids rule for the 3-1-1 limit.
If your kit rides in checked baggage, cushion it. A rigid case or the original carton protects the cassette window and swab tips. Seal the buffer in a zipper bag in case air pressure nudges a cap.
Temperature, Packaging, And X-Ray
Rapid tests like room temperature. Cabin temps are steady; the hold can swing. On routes with heat or cold, carry the kit with you. Checkpoint machines don’t harm antigen kits, so no special screening is needed.
Keep swabs straight and avoid crushing the cassette. If you split a family pack, label each set so no piece wanders. Snap a photo of the lot number and date before you leave.
Proctored Tests And Tech Setup
Some trips call for a supervised test. Those apps run on a phone or laptop and need a steady connection. Charge your device before you fly. Bring a power bank in carry-on, since spare batteries never ride in checked bags. Pick a quiet corner with good light when you test. Have a passport or ID ready if the app requests it.
Many proctored kits include extra swabs and liquids for retests. Keep the spares sealed. If a monitor asks you to open a tube on camera, do it on a flat surface with tissues nearby. After you finish, seal trash in a small bag and toss it in a bin, not your backpack.
International Trips And Local Rules
Rules differ by destination. Some countries treat at-home kits as medical devices and limit bulk quantities. Others have no special limits. Airlines publish travel pages with entry notes and testing options at the hub. Give those a quick read when you book. If your itinerary includes a place with strict import rules, buy a kit on arrival instead of packing one.
Entry testing for the United States no longer applies to air passengers. That change removed the need to test before most flights back to the U.S. Still, a private event, cruise, school, or tour may ask for proof. Carrying a kit helps you handle those surprises without hunting for a pharmacy.
Pack It Right: Step-By-Step
First, decide how many kits you’ll actually use. One per traveler covers a mid-length trip. Add a spare for backup. Second, keep everything sealed until test time. Third, place all liquids with your toiletries. Fourth, keep boxes flat in your bag so you can slide them out if an officer asks to see them. Fifth, keep instructions in the box; they act as padding and a reminder.
If you’re packing a mail-in PCR kit without a sample, treat the liquid like any other small bottle and pack it with liquids. If you collect a sample later, don’t carry it through a checkpoint. Use the shipper the kit supplies and hand it to the carrier per the label directions.
Troubleshooting At Security
If an officer wants a closer look, explain that it’s an unused home kit. Show the sealed buffer tubes in your quart bag. Offer the leaflet with the brand name visible. That usually ends the chat in seconds. If your kit is open, keep your voice calm and show that the tubes are sealed and empty. Stay calm.
On a rare day, a buffer cap may pop off. That turns into a small spill, not a hazard, but it can slow your line. Wipe the outside, toss any soaked tissue, and ask for a fresh swab if the one in the kit got wet. Most brands list a help address inside the box if you need a replacement later.
When You Shouldn’t Pack A Test
Don’t bring a used swab or a tube that holds a sample into the cabin. That type of item sits in the “diagnostic specimen” bucket. Those shipments follow packaging and labeling rules meant for couriers. If you already collected a sample, use the company’s mailer and hand it to the shipping counter. If you’re unsure, toss the sample at your lodging and start again with a fresh kit.
Skip bulk boxes unless you’re traveling with a team. Large quantities can raise questions at customs. Leave old, expired kits at home. Newer lots often have extended dates, so check the maker’s site for updates before you toss anything. If a vial leaks in your bag, throw out that kit and wash your hands.
| Component | Where To Pack | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Test cassette/device | Carry-on or checked | Keep flat; a small hard case prevents cracks. |
| Swabs | Carry-on | Protect the tips; don’t bend the shaft. |
| Buffer vial | Carry-on quart bag (or checked in a zipper bag) | Tighten the cap; keep upright inside a small pouch. |
| Instructions/leaflet | Carry-on | Keep handy; proctors may ask you to show the brand name. |
| Phone or laptop | Carry-on only | Charge fully; update the app before you travel. |
| Power bank | Carry-on only | Spares never go in checked bags; keep terminals covered. |
| Small trash bag | Carry-on | Use for swabs, wrappers, and tissues after testing. |
| Passport/ID | Carry-on | Some apps ask you to scan it during the session. |
Smart Ways To Save Space
Many boxes have empty space. Slide swabs and the cassette into a slim pouch and fold the box flat. Clip the QR code if your app needs it. A hard case helps if you’re rough on bags.
If storage space is tight, share one kit among two travelers only when the brand allows it. Many boxes contain two tests by design. Keep the instruction sheet handy so you swap the right pieces at the right time.
Pack a small spare zip bag, a few tissues, and hand gel near your kit. That trio keeps spills tidy and fingers clean on test day. If you wear contacts, bring drops, since swabbing can make eyes water. A little prep keeps the whole job easy. Bring spare masks too.
Safety Notes You’ll Be Glad You Read
The buffer in many brands contains trace preservatives. Keep kits away from kids and pets. If liquid touches skin or eyes, rinse with water. If someone feels unwell, call a poison center for advice.
A few antibody kits include a lancet for finger sticks. Cap sharps and store them in a rigid case. Many hotels have a sharps box at the desk; ask if you need one.
The Bottom Line For Stress-Free Travel
Unused COVID tests are fine in carry-on and checked bags. Keep liquids within the usual limit. Used samples stay out of the cabin. Mail them with the kit’s courier pack. Pack neatly and keep items sealed. Today.
Shelf Life And Storage
Some brands extend dates after more testing. Check your lot number on the maker’s site. Store kits cool and dry. Let a cold kit warm to room temperature before use to keep results reliable.