TSA Rules: Allowed, Restricted & Banned Items List | Smart Packing Guide

Allowed, Restricted & Banned Items: TSA Rules Explained

Here’s the plain‑English layout: TSA sorts items into three buckets. Some things sail through. Some need conditions like size, quantity, or packaging. Some are never allowed. The checkpoint officer makes the call when an item raises a concern. Your best prep is an empty bag, tidy packing, and quick access to anything unusual.

Start with liquids and batteries. The 3‑1‑1 liquids rule governs toiletries in carry‑ons. Medical liquids and baby needs are screened differently. Lithium batteries power phones, cameras, vapes, and power banks; spare cells ride in the cabin, not in checked bags. Once those two pillars are clear, most packing questions fall into place.

Common Items At A Glance

Use this table as your fast cross‑check. Always layer items neatly so the X‑ray image is clear.

Carry‑On Rules That Save Time

Pack an empty bag and build up. Starting clean avoids forgotten items in pockets and side sleeves. Slide your liquids bag near the top so you can pull it fast.

Place laptops and tablets where you can reach them. Standard lanes ask you to remove them. Officers may ask for game consoles and large cameras too.

Coil cables, remove hard cases from cameras, and keep batteries in retail covers or tape over terminals. Anything messy on the belt slows the line and triggers bag checks.

If you have PreCheck on the boarding pass, follow officer directions. Many lanes let you leave laptops and liquids in the bag. Rules can change by airport and machine type.

The 3‑1‑1 Liquids Rule And Real‑World Exceptions

Carry‑ons allow containers up to 3.4 ounces each, all in one quart‑size, resealable, clear bag. One bag per person. Sunscreen, creams, gels, pastes, and sprays count toward that bag. You can confirm the details on the TSA’s “3‑1‑1” liquids rule.

Medical liquids travel in the amounts you need for the trip. Tell the officer and separate them before the X‑ray. If a bottle can’t be cleared by the machine, expect a quick test or a visual check.

Infant and toddler needs—formula, breast milk, and puree pouches—can exceed 3.4 ounces. Cooling aids like ice packs or gel packs are welcome, even if slushy, when used for those items.

Duty‑free liquids may pass in a sealed STEB on qualifying routes. Keep the receipt inside and leave the bag sealed until you reach your final destination.

Lithium Batteries, Power Banks, And Gadgets

Spare lithium batteries and power banks go in carry‑ons only. Cover exposed terminals and spread spares across pockets or a battery case. The cabin rule keeps battery incidents where crew can respond fast.

Consumer lithium‑ion spares up to 100 Wh are fine. Two larger spares in the 101–160 Wh range often require airline approval. Installed batteries in phones and laptops may ride in either bag, but most travelers keep them in the cabin. For precise limits, see the FAA PackSafe batteries chart.

E‑cigs and vapes stay with you in the cabin. Prevent activation and never charge on board.

Hoverboards, e‑bikes, and similar devices often run into airline bans. Always check before you fly.

Food, Drinks, And Alcohol

Solid snacks fly in either bag. Liquids and spreads belong in the 3‑1‑1 bag if carried on. That includes yogurt, hummus, peanut butter, and salsa.

Alcohol follows two tracks. In carry‑ons you’re limited by 3‑1‑1 and you can’t drink your own on board. In checked bags, anything over 24% and up to 70% ABV is capped at 5 liters per person in unopened retail bottles. Above 70% is banned outright.

Mini bottles must fit in the quart bag at screening. Mixers larger than 3.4 ounces ride in checked bags.

Sharp Objects, Tools, And Work Gear

No knives in carry‑ons. Pack them in checked bags and sheath the edge.

Scissors with blades under 4 inches from the pivot can ride in the cabin; longer pairs belong in checked bags.

Hand tools seven inches or shorter can stay with you. Longer tools and most power tools go in checked bags.

Sports, Camping, And Outdoor Gear

Bats, clubs, and sticks are checked‑bag items. Skates can ride in the cabin. Pack blades to protect hands during inspection.

Stoves are allowed only when empty and scent‑free. Residual fuel vapor gets items pulled. Ship fuel or buy it at your destination.

Dry ice is capped at 2.5 kilograms per passenger. Vent the package and label the bag so the crew can see it on tags and screens.

Self‑Defense Items And Weapons

Firearms travel in checked bags only. Unload them, lock them inside a hard‑sided case, and declare the case at the counter. Only you keep the key or combination.

Small‑arms ammunition goes in fiber, wood, plastic, or metal boxes made for ammo. Loose rounds and black powder don’t fly.

Pepper spray can ride in checked bags in one 4‑ounce can with a safety feature, unless the airline forbids it. Stun guns go in checked bags after you render them inoperable. Torch lighters and strike‑anywhere matches are banned everywhere.

Kids, Medical Needs, And Screening Help

Traveling with a baby or toddler? Bring what you need. Tell the officer you’re carrying breast milk, formula, and baby food. These items can exceed 3.4 ounces and may be screened with a different process.

For medical care, pack a quick‑grab kit. Keep prescriptions, devices, and supplies together. Let the officer know if you wear an insulin pump or a glucose monitor. If a liquid alarms during testing, the officer will use alternate steps to clear it.

Gel ice packs that cool medicine count as medically necessary. They can pass even if slushy. If you prefer not to X‑ray a medical liquid, say so and follow the alternate screening steps.

Holiday Gifts, Souvenirs, And Oddball Items

Wrap gifts after you land. If screening needs access, wrapping comes off.

Snow globes in carry‑ons must be small enough to fit in the quart bag along with other containers. Bigger ones go in checked bags.

Odd items like cast‑iron pans, bowling balls, and toy weapons can confuse X‑rays. Pack them neatly and expect questions.

International Flights And Airline Policies

Rules outside the U.S. can be tighter, especially on powders, batteries, and self‑defense sprays. Some airlines cap the number of batteries or forbid drones on board.

Print or save your airline’s dangerous goods page before the trip. It helps when a gate agent or counter rep needs proof of an allowance.

If you must gate‑check a bag, pull every spare battery, power bank, vape, and lighter before handing it over.

How This List Was Built

This guide draws on primary rule pages from TSA and the FAA. Where airlines publish stricter limits, the airline’s page wins for that flight.

Screens vary. CT scanners let some lanes keep electronics in bags. Other lanes still ask you to remove them. Follow the officer’s request at the belt.

Battery And Power Items: Quick Limits

Match your battery to the right bag and note any approval needs.

How To Use This List On Packing Day

Lay out everything on a table before anything touches a suitcase. Group items into piles: liquids and gels, electronics and batteries, sharp or heavy objects, food, and special items for kids or medical care. You’ll spot any outliers early.

Build your carry‑on first. Passports, meds, electronics, valuables, and one day of clothing go in there. Anything fragile or high value should never ride in checked bags.

Keep a small pouch for checkpoint items. Into that pouch goes the liquids bag, empty water bottle, watch, phone, wallet, keys, and loose cables. When you reach the bins, the pouch empties fast and nothing gets lost.

If you’re flying with gifts or care packages, leave them unwrapped. Ribbon and paper go in the outside pocket so you can wrap on arrival.

Liquids Bag Tactics That Work

Pick containers that seal well and don’t leak under pressure. Wide‑mouth bottles spit during altitude changes; travel pumps and roll‑on sticks behave better.

Use a true quart bag. Hefty zipper bags are fine if they close easily without bulging. Hard cases labeled as a liquids bag turn into a puzzle at the belt; soft plastic bags slide and open fast.

Sunscreen, lotion, hair gel, pomade, lip gloss, mascara, liquid makeup, and fragrance all count toward the bag. Bar soap and solid deodorant don’t count.

If you’re carrying protein shakes, liquid vitamins, or contact lens solution over 3.4 ounces as medical items, tell the officer at the front of the line and separate those bottles from the quart bag.

Duty‑Free On Connections

Flying to the U.S. with a connection? Keep duty‑free liquids inside the sealed tamper‑evident bag with the receipt visible. Leave it sealed until you’re at your final stop.

If a screener needs to test the bottle, they’ll reseal it after the check. Open bags lose their special status and the bottle has to fit the 3‑1‑1 bag to stay in the cabin.

Battery Math Without The Headache

Watt‑hours tell you a battery’s energy. The label often prints it as “Wh.” If you only see volts and milliamp‑hours, divide mAh by 1000 to get amp‑hours, then multiply by volts. A 10,000 mAh, 5 V pack comes out near 50 Wh.

For consumer gear, up to 100 Wh per spare is routine. Two spares in the 101–160 Wh range can fly with airline approval. Anything bigger lives in the specialty or mobility‑aid world and needs airline sign‑off.

Pack spares so nothing can short. Use original caps, plastic cases, or tape across contacts. Keep them where you can reach them if a gate agent needs to check the labels.

Camera And Drone Kits

Bodies, lenses, and filters ride in the cabin. A padded insert keeps the shape on the belt and avoids extra checks.

Drone frames can go either way, but the flight batteries must stay in the cabin. Bring a fire‑resistant pouch if your airline recommends one.

Carry a printout of your airline’s battery page when flying with larger packs. It settles questions at the counter in seconds.

Work Trips With Tools And Samples

Ship heavy tools ahead when you can. If you must bring them, measure every piece. Seven inches is your magic number for carry‑on.

Remove blades and tips from demo rigs and pack them in checked bags. Spare drill bits and saw blades ride in checked bags too.

If your job requires a small toolkit in the cabin, switch to stubby handles and mini drivers. Keep a printout of the tool page that mentions the 7‑inch limit.

Family Travel: Snacks, Strollers, And Car Seats

Solid snacks breeze through. Pack small tubs for crumbs and quick clean‑up. Pouches with liquid fruit count as liquids unless screened as baby food.

Most airlines let you check a stroller and a car seat at the gate without a fee. At screening, fold the stroller and send it through the X‑ray if it fits. Oversize items get a swab test.

Bring an empty sippy cup and fill it after security. For formula, pre‑measure powder into bottles and add water later, or carry ready‑to‑feed cartons for direct screening.

Cold Packs, Coolers, And Dry Ice

Gel packs for medicine and baby food can pass even if soft. Tell the officer they’re for cooling a medical item or milk.

Dry ice needs airflow so carbon dioxide can vent. Use a container that can release gas, label the bag with “dry ice,” and keep it under the 2.5 kg limit.

Most airlines ask you to mark the exact weight of dry ice on the bag tag. Weigh the slab at home and jot the number on a piece of tape.

When An Officer Wants To Open Something

If you’d rather not X‑ray a medical liquid, say so up front. The officer can use alternate screening and a quick swab.

If a bag gets pulled, the officer will explain the concern and ask to open it. Answer in short, clear sentences and show where the item sits in the bag.

After the check, repack slowly and watch the belt until your bag reappears. Set your own pace so nothing gets left behind.

Common Myths That Cause Confusion

“Solid snacks are fine, so a jar of peanut butter should be fine too.” Peanut butter counts as a spread, so it’s a liquid for screening.

“Perfume isn’t a spray if I don’t use the sprayer.” The bottle size still matters; larger bottles ride in checked bags.

“Vapes are tiny, so they can go anywhere.” The battery inside makes them carry‑on only.

“Airline agents can overrule an officer.” Agents handle tickets and baggage rules; officers handle security screening. Both have authority in their areas.

Penalties, Fees, And Delays You Can Avoid

A weapon at the checkpoint leads to steep civil fines and can suspend expedited screening benefits. If a local law applies, police may respond.

The fastest way to avoid trouble is to start with an empty bag every trip and to scan your packing piles against this list.

If something slips through, stay calm. Most cases end with a surrender or a bag check and you still make your flight.

Quick Decisions For Tricky Items

Is it a liquid, gel, cream, paste, spread, or aerosol? If yes, use the quart bag unless it’s for medical care or a baby.

Does it have a battery you can remove? If yes, carry the battery in the cabin and cover the terminals.

Is it sharp, pointed, heavy, or over seven inches long? If yes, place it in checked baggage and pad it well.

Could the item spray, ignite, or explode? If yes, stop and look it up before you pack it.

Where To Get An Official Yes/No

Use the TSA “What Can I Bring?” tool when you’re unsure. Type the item name and you’ll see carry‑on and checked answers.

You can message AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger with a photo of the item. Travelers get clear answers during daytime hours in the U.S. time zones.

Airline sites list their own limits on batteries, dry ice, smart bags, sports gear, and mobility aids. When airline and TSA rules both apply, follow the stricter one.

Smart Packing Checklist You Can Save

• Empty every pocket of the suitcase before you pack
• Lay out piles for liquids, electronics, blades, food, kids’ items, and meds
• Build the quart bag with leak‑tight bottles that fit easily
• Stage laptops and tablets for quick removal unless told to keep them in
• Carry spares and power banks in the cabin in protective sleeves
• Sheathe or wrap any sharp edge that rides in checked bags
• Measure tools and scissors; 7 inches and 4 inches are the two numbers to remember
• Keep prescriptions in original bottles or with a copy of the label when possible
• Print airline battery and dry ice pages when carrying special gear
• Leave gifts unwrapped and pack ribbon in an outer pocket

Category Deep Dives: What To Expect At The Belt

Liquids And Aerosols

Aerosol toiletries like deodorant and shaving cream can ride in carry‑ons if each can is 3.4 ounces or less and fits the quart bag. In checked bags, keep caps on and use a zip bag around each can in case a nozzle gets bumped.

Spray paint, bear spray, and industrial aerosols are off‑limits. Insecticide that sprays in a cabin risks fume exposure; airlines only permit certain cans in checked bags, and many airlines forbid them entirely.

Hair spray is treated like any other toiletry. A travel‑size bottle goes in the bag; salon bottles go in checked luggage.

Fragrance packs a punch in small doses. Move large glass bottles to checked bags and wrap them in clothing to prevent breaks.

Batteries And Power

Tape over exposed battery ends if the original covers are missing. Coin cells and AAAs can hide in pockets and fall into cracks, so use a tin or a zip bag.

Smart bags with built‑in power banks must have a removable battery. Remove the pack before checking the bag; if it can’t come out, the bag can’t be checked.

Mobility aids use larger batteries with special rules. Wheelchairs and scooters need airline approval and labeling that matches the battery type.

Alcohol And Mixers

Duty‑free liquor in a sealed STEB is treated as a special case during international connections. Leave it sealed until you’re done flying.

You can’t pour or drink your own alcohol on board. Cabin crew are the only ones who may serve drinks. Open containers draw attention and can lead to a warning or worse.

Wine keys and bottle openers without blades can ride in carry‑ons. Corkscrews with a small knife belong in checked bags.

Sharp Objects

Single‑edge razor blades and box cutters are banned in carry‑ons. Disposable razor cartridges are fine.

Knitting needles are permitted in the cabin. Sharp ends should face in or be capped so they don’t snag or poke.

Ceramic knives and hidden blades fall under the knife rule too. If it cuts, it stays out of the cabin.

Tools And Repair Gear

Hex keys, small wrenches, and compact screwdrivers under seven inches can pass. Pack them together so the X‑ray image reads clean.

Large socket sets look dense on the belt and often trigger a manual check. Split sets between checked bags to ease screening.

Soldering irons, torch heads, and anything that uses fuel belong in checked bags without any fuel attached.

Sports Equipment

Baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, lacrosse sticks, and hockey sticks are too blunt and long for carry‑ons. They fly as checked items.

Ice skates and rollerblades can go in the cabin; wrap blades and tuck them in a sleeve to protect the bag and the officer’s hands.

Bowling balls are allowed in carry‑ons, but the weight can make the bag awkward at the belt. Place it in a bin by itself so it doesn’t roll.

Medical Liquids And Devices

Labeling speeds things up. Pharmacy labels, printed care plans, and device cards help answer the officer’s quick questions.

If you carry syringes, bring the medication that justifies them. Needles alone without the paired medicine often draw extra questions.

CPAP machines should ride in the cabin. Keep a plastic bag handy if an officer asks to swab the machine outside of its case.

E‑Cigs, Vapes, And Smoking Items

Keep devices off during the entire trip. Spare pods and bottles count toward the liquids bag unless they’re in checked bags.

Arc lighters and torch lighters are out. A standard disposable lighter is fine in the cabin, while lighters aren’t allowed in checked bags.

Matchbooks are limited to one safety book in the cabin; strike‑anywhere matches are banned in both bags.

Powders And Granules

Protein powder, spice mixes, and drink powders are allowed. Over 12 ounces, expect the container to be checked separately.

Baby powder can travel either way. Place it on top of your items so the bottle is easy to pull if asked.

Loose bags of white powder alarm easily. Keep products in original containers or clear labeling to avoid extra questions.

Dry Ice And Cold Shipments

Two and a half kilograms covers most cooler setups for a day of travel. Break big blocks into smaller pieces for better airflow, and avoid sealing the cooler tight.

Print the airline page that lists the dry ice limit and keep it with your boarding pass. If a counter agent needs proof, you’ll have it ready.

Duty‑Free Tips

Buy near the gate at your last international stop so the time window on the receipt is fresh.

Keep the bag away from heat during long connections. A hot trunk or a sunny seat by a window can loosen seals or swell liquids.

For spirits packed in checked bags on return legs, use a bottle sleeve and center it in clothing to avoid cracks.

Drones And RC Gear

Pack frames and controllers so they look like electronics, not a bundle of parts. One tidy layer beats a tangle of wires.

Protect propellers and carry spares in a small box. Loose props poke through fabric and attract attention at the belt.

Camping Fuel And Stoves

Fuel is never allowed in either bag. Empty the stove and let it air out for a full day. If it smells like fuel, it may be refused.

Lanterns without fuel can fly. Mantles and glass are fragile, so cushion them well in clothing.

Bear spray and large pepper sprays belong nowhere in airline baggage. Buy at destination and dispose before heading home.

Firearms And Ammunition Details

Use a hard‑sided case with a non‑flexing shell and metal lock points. Cable locks for the gun are optional; the case lock is the key step.

Declare the case at check‑in. Wait near the counter for ten minutes after you hand over the bag in case an agent needs you to relock the case.

Magazines can be loaded if the rounds are covered by a sleeve or box that protects the tips. Loose rounds and gunpowder are never allowed.

Packing Mistakes That Trigger Bag Checks

Mixing full‑size liquids with toiletries in carry‑ons. Move big bottles to checked bags.

Tossing a power bank in a checked suitcase. Spares stay with you in the cabin.

Leaving blades loose. Sheathe or wrap edges and points.

Packing stoves that smell like fuel. Clean them until the scent is gone.

Forgetting the 7‑inch tool threshold and the 4‑inch scissor rule.

When The Officer Makes A Call

The list sets the baseline. An officer may still pull an item if the image or a test raises a concern. Treat the inspection like a quick team effort and ask how to repack so your bag clears on the next pass.