Yes, disposable and electric razors are allowed in carry-on; loose blades, straight razors, and safety blades go in checked baggage.
Not Allowed (Carry-On)
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On
- Disposable and cartridge heads: OK
- Electric shavers and trimmers: OK
- No loose blades or straight blades
Cabin rules
Checked
- All razor types allowed
- Pack spare blades here
- Sheath sharp edges
Hold bags
Special Handling
- Remove blade from safety/straight
- Cross-border trips: check local list
- When unsure, ask an officer
Tips
Razor Types And Where They Go
Airports separate razors by exposure. Encased edges travel in the cabin. Exposed steel goes in the hold. Use the table below to sort your gear fast.
Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
---|---|---|
Disposable razor (fixed cartridge) | Allowed | Allowed |
Cartridge handle with sealed head | Allowed | Allowed |
Electric shaver or trimmer | Allowed | Allowed |
Safety razor handle (no blade inserted) | Allowed | Allowed |
Safety razor blades (loose or in tucks) | Not allowed | Allowed |
Straight razor with blade | Not allowed | Allowed |
Straight razor handle without blade | Allowed | Allowed |
Eyebrow or dermaplaning razor with encased edge | Allowed | Allowed |
Box cutter or utility blade | Not allowed | Allowed |
Bringing A Razor In Carry-On Bags: The Full Rule
Screeners look for exposed cutting edges. If the blade can be touched, it gets blocked from the cabin. If the edge sits in a sealed head or cartridge, it can ride overhead or under the seat.
Disposable And Cartridge Razors
These are the easiest. The plastic head seals the metal. Pack a few spare cartridges and a cap if one came with the razor. Keep them together in a small pouch to speed bag checks.
Safety Razors And Straight Razors
Bring the handle in your tote if you like that shave. Pull the blade first. Slide all spare blades into your checked bag. A small tin or the blade’s paper tuck works well. Tape over the slot on used blades or use a disposal bank, then stash that in the hold too.
Electric Shavers And Trimmers
These pass in both bags. If the unit uses a battery, keep it in the device and protect the switch. A hard shell case shields the head and stops stray hair from sprinkling through your pack.
Dermaplaners, Brow Shapers, And Travel Minis
Tiny face razors with an encased edge fall under the same cabin rule as cartridges. Cap the head and you’re set. If the blade is a bare strip that slides out, send those refills to the hold.
Pack It Right For Airport Security
A tidy kit gets a fast nod. Use these steps for a smooth pass.
- Empty the head: for safety or straight razors, remove the blade at home.
- Sheath the sharp bits: caps, guards, or a small case keep edges covered.
- Sort by bag: disposables and electrics in carry-on; spare blades in checked.
- Bundle small parts: keep cartridges, caps, and the handle in one pouch.
- Make it visible: place your shave kit near the top of your cabin bag.
- Ask politely if an officer wants a closer look; they decide on the day.
Shaving Cream, Blades, And Liquids Rules
Aerosol or gel shave cream counts as a liquid. Cabin sizes cap at 3.4 oz (100 ml) and the bottles must fit in one clear quart bag. Bigger cans ride in the hold. Solid sticks dodge the liquid bag. See the TSA liquids rule for details.
International Trips: Similar Rules, Small Twists
Carry-on razor rules line up across regions: encased edges in the cabin, loose blades in the hold. Names and page layouts change, yet the core idea repeats. The table below shows the gist. The UK page titled hand luggage personal items lists fixed-cartridge razors as allowed.
Region | Carry-On | Notes |
---|---|---|
United States (TSA) | Disposables and electrics allowed; loose blades blocked | Handles without blades pass; blades ride in checked |
United Kingdom | Fixed-cartridge razors allowed | Loose blades and straight razors go to the hold |
Canada | Disposable and encased mini razors allowed | Loose blades and open straight razors stay in checked |
Airline Differences And Gate Reality
Airlines lean on airport security rules. Some sites add reminders, yet the screening call happens at the checkpoint. When a rule says “final decision rests with the officer,” pack to the strict side and you won’t miss a beat.
Smart Ways To Pack Spare Blades Safely
Loose steel slices through fabric. A tiny nick ruins a toiletry bag, and it’s risky for handlers. Use a metal blade bank, a small screw-top tin, or the plastic pack your blades shipped in. Wrap the pack with a loop of tape so it doesn’t spring open.
Quick Answers To Edge Cases
- Bought blades after security? Keep them sealed and hand them back at the gate if asked; many shops flag the rule.
- Carry a travel handle with a cartridge cap to cover the edge during transit.
- Traveling with a checked bag only one way? Mail spare blades to your stop or buy at your destination.
- Sharing a kit? Split blades into a checked bag that always flies with the group.
- Need a shave on arrival? A single disposable in the cabin plus cream in travel size does the trick.
Bottom Line For Carry-On Razors
Encased edges fly up top. Exposed edges stay below. Pack handles and electric shavers in your carry-on. Send safety and straight blades to the hold. With a cap on the head and liquids sized right, your shave kit clears fast.