Yes, empty bullet shells are allowed if no bullet is attached and the primer is removed or discharged; keep them clean.
Flying with empty bullet shells can feel tricky. The rules aren’t the same as live ammo, and details matter at the checkpoint. Here’s a clear guide to bring empty bullet shells on a plane without drama.
Taking Empty Bullet Shells On A Plane — The Rules
Screeners look for two things on a shell casing: no bullet seated and no live primer. If either shows up, it’s not an empty casing anymore. Per the TSA “Shell Casings” page, empty casings may ride in carry-on or checked bags when the projectile is absent and the primer has been fired or removed. If a bullet is still attached, even with powder drilled out, it’s treated like a replica in the cabin. In checked bags, a dummy round falls under ammo rules.
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bags |
|---|---|---|
| Empty shell casings (spent primers or no primers) | Allowed, bag separately | Allowed |
| Casings with live primers | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Cartridge with bullet attached, no powder | Not allowed (replica) | Allowed only as ammo rules |
| Live ammunition | Not allowed | Allowed in proper boxes |
| Empty magazines or clips | Allowed if empty | Allowed |
| Jewelry or belts made with casings | Often questioned | Allowed |
| Black powder, smokeless powder, loose primers | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Carry-On: What Screeners Expect
Empty casings can fly in your cabin bag, but presentation counts. Put them in a clear bag or a hard plastic box. Keep them clean so residue doesn’t trigger swabs. If an officer asks, state that they’re spent shell casings with no primers.
Skip novelty rounds. A casing with a seated bullet, a drilled hole, or epoxy isn’t a simple casing. That item reads as a cartridge look-alike and gets pulled. Keep the carry-on batch clearly empty, clearly clean, and easy to inspect.
Checked Bags: Safer And Simpler
Many flyers drop spent brass in checked luggage to avoid delays. Use a sturdy box or a small parts case so pieces don’t scatter. If you’re also checking live ammo, follow the packaging rules and weight limits set out by the FAA PackSafe page on ammunition. Most airlines mirror the 11-lb (5 kg) cap and require factory boxes or containers made for cartridges.
Traveling with an unloaded firearm? Lock it in a hard case and declare it at the counter. Ammo may ride in the same hard case if your airline allows and all rounds sit in proper boxes. Shell casings don’t need a declaration, but keeping them boxed still helps during any bag search.
Why Casings Get Flagged
Screening systems spot shapes and residue. A handful of brass can look odd on X-ray, and unwashed pieces can swab positive. A seated bullet or live primer sets off alarms faster. Even a keychain made from casings draws a double-take.
Bring only what you care to keep. A jammed zipper pouch filled with mixed brass and range lint invites extra screening. Neat, labeled storage signals that the items are souvenirs for reloads or crafts.
How Many Casings Should You Carry?
There’s no formal weight cap for empty brass on domestic trips. That said, a bag stuffed with hundreds of cases can stall a line. Pack a modest amount, split across small bags, and place them near the top of your carry-on or in your checked suitcase. If an officer thinks the quantity looks odd, you may be asked to move the items to checked baggage.
Officers have leeway at the checkpoint. A clean, clearly empty sample goes a long way. One fast way to set the tone is to show a single casing from the bag and point out the fired primer pocket.
Airline Variations And Gate Checks
Airlines lean on federal guidance for live ammo and firearms. Empty casings rarely appear on carrier pages, which leaves room for gate-agent caution. If someone at the counter or gate pushes back on carry-on brass, stay polite and offer to move the items into a checked bag.
When you’re checking a firearm or live ammo on the same ticket, store casings in a separate pouch. That way the clerk can process the declaration while your brass remains a simple accessory, not part of the firearm case.
If A Bag Check Happens
Bag checks are routine. Here’s a smooth rhythm when your bin gets pulled:
Be Clear
State what you packed in plain words: “Empty shell casings, no primers.” No jargon, no jokes.
Show One, Then The Rest
Hand over a single casing for a quick look. Once the officer sees the open mouth and the empty primer pocket, the rest usually follows.
Repack Neatly
Close the bag or box, return it to the same spot, and move on.
What Not To Say
Skip jokes and slang about ammo or bombs; words keep the line moving.
State Rules, Range Stops, And Side Trips
Some states restrict parts of ammunition outside the U.S. norm. City events, stadium checks, and government buildings may also bar casings. If your itinerary includes a venue with strict entry rules, drop brass at the hotel or leave it at home.
Packing Steps That Speed Screening
Follow this simple flow. It takes minutes and prevents most bag checks.
Cleaning And Prep
Wash away soot and unburned flakes. A quick tumble, a dish-soap rinse, or a wipe with a dry cloth removes smell and residue. Dry fully so moisture doesn’t corrode the brass.
Storage And Labeling
Use a small clear bag, reloaders’ tray, or plastic parts box. Add a scrap label that says “Empty shell casings (no primers).” You’re not required to label them, yet it speeds the visual check.
At The Checkpoint
If asked, be straightforward: “They’re empty shell casings with no primers.” Be ready to show the bag or box. If the officer wants the item in checked luggage, step out, re-pack, and head back to re-screen.
If You’re Also Flying With Ammo Or A Firearm
Many travelers carry a mix: a cased, unloaded firearm in checked baggage, live ammo, and a pouch of souvenir brass. Keep each category in its lane:
Unloaded Firearm
Locked hard case. Declare at the check-in counter. No loose parts or loaded mags inside the suitcase.
Live Ammunition
Cartridges in factory boxes or sturdy ammo containers. No loose rounds. Respect the 11-lb cap often used across carriers, and keep it separate from personal items if your airline asks.
Empty Shell Casings
Bagged or boxed, with no primers. These do not need a declaration. Store away from tools, solvents, and oils so the casings don’t pick up smells that trigger extra checks.
International Trips And Souvenirs
Rules change fast once you leave the U.S. A handful of brass that’s fine at a domestic checkpoint can cause problems at a foreign exit or entry desk. Some countries treat empty cases as ammunition. Customs forms may also ask about arms or parts. When plans include a border, skip the casings or buy inert decor from a retailer that ships legally to your home.
Practical Scenarios And Smart Moves
Range Day Before A Flight
Don’t use the same backpack for the range and the trip. Swabs catch traces. If that’s your only bag, vacuum the seams, wipe hard surfaces, and air it out overnight.
Souvenir Brass From A Park Or Museum
Shops near memorials and ranges sometimes sell drilled “dummy” rounds. In carry-on, a round with a bullet still seated gets pulled. Put those items in checked baggage, boxed like ammo, or skip the purchase.
Gift For A Collector
Pack clean, loose casings in a reloaders’ tray, then wrap the tray in a clear bag. Add a simple note that states they’re empty. It keeps the unboxing smooth if the suitcase gets searched.
Quick Packing Checklist
| Step | What To Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect | Confirm no bullet and no live primer | Meets TSA conditions for “empty” |
| Clean | Remove soot and residue | Reduces swab hits |
| Package | Use a clear bag or small box | Makes the X-ray picture obvious |
| Separate | Keep casings apart from tools and liquids | Prevents clutter that looks odd |
| Place | Top layer of bag, easy reach | Simple to inspect and return |
Quick Recap
- Empty means no bullet attached and no live primer.
- Carry-on is fine for clean, empty casings; checked bags are even smoother.
- Live primers, powders, and loose bullets don’t fly.
- Dummy rounds with a seated bullet aren’t cabin-friendly.
- Cross-border trips: leave brass at home.
- Neat packaging and simple labels speed any bag check.