The TSA's Core Banned Items

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) bans sharp objects, flammables, and anything that could be used as a weapon from your carry-on bag. Knives of any length, box cutters, razors, and scissors with blades longer than 4 inches are prohibited. Lighters, lighter fluid, and aerosol cans of any kind cannot go in your carry-on — they can go in checked luggage under specific rules, but not with you in the cabin.

Firearms, ammunition, and realistic replicas of guns are always banned from carry-on. So are explosives, fireworks, flares, and any substance marked as hazardous. This includes certain types of batteries, wet cell batteries, and lithium batteries in quantities above the limit. The rule exists because a fire or explosion in the cabin cannot be fought the way one in the cargo hold can.

Tools longer than 7 inches or heavier than a pound are prohibited — this covers hammers, wrenches, crowbars, and most power tools. Sporting equipment like baseball bats, hockey sticks, and ski poles are also banned from carry-on, though some airlines allow them as checked baggage.

Key Takeaways

  • Knives, razors, and box cutters of any size are banned from carry-on, but scissors with blades under 4 inches are allowed.
  • Lighters, aerosol cans, and flammable liquids cannot travel in your carry-on bag under any circumstance.
  • Tools longer than 7 inches and sporting equipment like bats and ski poles are prohibited in the cabin.
  • Lithium batteries and certain other battery types are restricted in carry-on luggage, with limits that vary by battery chemistry.
  • Gels, pastes, and liquids over 3.4 ounces each are banned from carry-on, though solid items like deodorant sticks are allowed.

Liquids, Gels, and Pastes: The 3.4-Ounce Rule

Any liquid, gel, paste, or cream must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller per container. This includes shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotion, sunscreen, peanut butter, yogurt, and jam. All containers must fit into a single quart-sized clear plastic bag — one bag per person. You can bring multiple small containers as long as each one is 3.4 ounces or less and they all fit in the bag.

Solid items do not count toward this rule. A solid deodorant stick, a bar of soap, or a stick of lip balm can be any size. The distinction matters: if you cannot pour it or spread it, it is usually allowed. Frozen items are treated as liquids if they are still frozen when you reach security, so ice packs and frozen gel packs are prohibited in carry-on.

Medications and medical equipment have different rules. Insulin, EpiPens, and other injectable medications do not need to follow the 3.4-ounce limit, but you should carry a prescription or doctor's letter. Inhalers and nebulizers are allowed. Inform the TSA officer at security that you are carrying medical items.

Electronics and Batteries

Most electronics are allowed in carry-on — laptops, phones, tablets, and cameras pose no problem. However, certain batteries are restricted. Lithium-ion batteries (the kind in phones and laptops) are limited to two spares per person in carry-on, and they must be in your personal item or carry-on bag, not checked. Lithium-metal batteries are more tightly restricted and may require airline approval before you travel.

Spare batteries of any chemistry should be placed in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage, because they can ignite if damaged. If a battery is installed in a device (like a phone or laptop), it travels with the device. The restriction applies only to loose, spare batteries.

Power banks and portable chargers are allowed in carry-on as long as they contain lithium-ion batteries and you are not bringing more than two. Some airlines have additional restrictions on power banks, so check with your carrier before you pack.

What You Can Bring That Surprises People

Scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed in carry-on. A small sewing kit with a needle is permitted. Tweezers and nail clippers are fine. Solid deodorant, solid perfume, and solid cosmetics have no size limit. A book of matches is allowed, but a lighter is not.

Food is generally allowed in carry-on as long as it is solid or semi-solid. A sandwich, fruit, cheese, and crackers are fine. Peanut butter, honey, and jam are gels and must follow the 3.4-ounce rule. Canned goods are allowed if you are willing to carry the weight, but liquids like soup or sauce are not.

Umbrellas and walking canes are permitted. A small flashlight is allowed. Binoculars are fine. A deck of cards, board games, and books are all permitted. The TSA allows a surprising amount of everyday gear — the ban focuses on things that pose a real security or safety risk in the cabin.

Items That Depend on Your Airline

Some items are not banned by the TSA but are restricted by individual airlines. Sporting equipment like baseball bats, hockey sticks, and ski poles are prohibited by most carriers in carry-on but may be allowed as checked baggage. Martial arts equipment, golf clubs, and pool cues fall into the same category. Check your airline's website before you pack.

Certain musical instruments are allowed in carry-on by some airlines but not others. A violin or guitar may fit in the overhead bin on one airline and be required to check on another. If you are traveling with an instrument, contact your airline in advance and ask whether it can travel as a carry-on item or must be checked.

Hoverboards and self-balancing scooters are banned from both carry-on and checked luggage by most airlines because of fire risk from their lithium batteries. E-cigarettes and vaping devices are allowed in carry-on but not in checked luggage. Vaping liquid follows the 3.4-ounce rule.

How to Know What Your Airline Allows

The TSA sets the federal baseline for what is banned from the cabin, but airlines can impose stricter rules. A item that passes TSA screening might still be rejected at the gate by your airline. Before you pack, visit your airline's website and search for "carry-on restrictions" or "prohibited items." Most carriers list their rules clearly.

If you are unsure about a specific item, contact your airline directly. You can call, email, or use the airline's chat feature. Asking before you travel takes five minutes and saves you the frustration of having something confiscated at security or the gate. Keep the confirmation in writing if possible.

The TSA also runs a social media account where you can ask about specific items. Post a photo or description, and they will tell you whether it is allowed. This is useful for unusual items or edge cases that are not clearly covered in the standard rules.

What Happens If You Pack a Banned Item

If a banned item is found during security screening, the TSA officer will confiscate it. You will not get it back. If the item is illegal (like a firearm or explosive), you may face criminal charges. For most items, confiscation is the only consequence, but it means losing the item and potentially missing your flight if the discovery delays screening.

If you realize you have a banned item before you reach security, you can leave it at home, mail it to your destination, or ask a companion who is not traveling to hold it. Some airports have mail services where you can ship an item to yourself, though this costs money and takes time.

Checked luggage has different rules than carry-on. Some items banned from carry-on (like certain tools, sporting equipment, and flammable liquids) can go in checked baggage under specific conditions. If you need to travel with something prohibited in carry-on, check whether it can be packed in your checked bag instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a knife in my checked luggage?

Yes, most knives are allowed in checked luggage as long as they are sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers. Knives are always banned from carry-on. Check your airline's specific policy, as some carriers have additional restrictions on blade length or type.

Are lighters allowed if I pack them in checked luggage?

One lighter is allowed in checked luggage only if it has no fuel or is in a protective case. Lighter fluid is never allowed in either carry-on or checked baggage. Matches are allowed in carry-on (one book) but not in checked luggage. Most travelers find it simpler to buy a lighter at their destination.

What counts as a gel or paste for the 3.4-ounce rule?

Anything you can spread, squeeze, or pour is a gel or paste. This includes toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, peanut butter, honey, jam, yogurt, and cosmetics like foundation or concealer. Solid items like deodorant sticks, lip balm sticks, and bars of soap are not restricted.

Can I bring my power bank on the plane?

Yes, power banks with lithium-ion batteries are allowed in carry-on luggage. You can bring up to two spare power banks per person. They must go in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage. Power banks are not allowed in checked baggage because of fire risk.

Are scissors allowed in carry-on luggage?

Scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed in carry-on. Scissors with blades 4 inches or longer are prohibited. If you need scissors at your destination, pack small craft scissors or a small sewing kit, both of which are permitted.