1. Razors - There’s a lot of confusion out there as to what types of razors are OK to pack in your carry-on baggage. So people ask us about this one all the time.
- Safety Razors: Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade. They’re fine to pack in your carry-on without the blade. The blades must be stored in your checked luggage. The same applies for straight razors.
- Disposable Razors: Disposable razors come in two types. The kind that is completely disposable (handle and all), or the kind where you replace them with cartridges. These are permissible in carry-on luggage with the blade and replacement cartridges.
- Electric Razors: Electric razors are permitted in both checked and carry-on bags.
2. Batteries - Whether they’re for business, health reasons, or leisure, we all travel with gadgets, and gadgets need batteries! Here’s a rundown of different types of batteries and whether they’re permitted or not. If you have any additional questions about batteries, please reach out to the FAA.
- Batteries Allowed in Carry-on Bags:
- Dry cell alkaline batteries; typical AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, button sized cells, etc.
- Dry cell rechargeable batteries such as Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium (NiCad).
- Jump starters with lithium ion batteries.
- Lithium ion batteries (a.k.a.: rechargeable lithium, lithium polymer, LIPO, secondary lithium).
- Consumer-sized lithium ion batteries [no more than 8 grams of equivalent lithium content or 100 watt hours (wh) per battery]. This size covers AA, AAA, 9-volt, cell phone, PDA, camera, camcorder, Gameboy, and standard laptop computer batteries.
- Up to two larger lithium ion batteries (more than 8 grams, up to 25 grams of equivalent lithium content per battery) in their carry-on. This size covers larger extended-life laptop batteries. Most consumer lithium ion batteries are below this size. Lithium ion batteries that are between 101 – 160 wh are allowed in carry-on bags with airline approval.
- Lithium metal batteries (a.k.a.: non-rechargeable lithium, primary lithium). These batteries are often used with cameras and other small personal electronics. Consumer-sized batteries (up to 2 grams of lithium per battery) may be carried. This includes all the typical non-rechargeable batteries for personal film cameras and digital cameras (AA, AAA, 123, CR123A, CR1, CR2, CRV3, CR22, 2CR5, etc.) as well as the flat round lithium button cells.
- Batteries Allowed in Checked Bags:
- Except for lithium batteries, all the batteries allowed in carry-on baggage are also allowed in checked baggage; however, we recommend that you pack them in your carry-on bag whenever possible. In the cabin, airline flight crews can better monitor conditions, and have access to the batteries or device if a fire does occur.
- Prohibited Batteries:
- Car batteries, wet batteries, or spillable batteries are prohibited from both carry-on and checked baggage unless they are being used to power a scooter or wheelchair. If you need to pack a spare battery for a scooter or wheelchair, you must advise the aircraft operator so the battery can be properly packaged for air travel.
- Spare lithium batteries (both lithium metal and lithium ion/polymer) are prohibited in checked baggage.
- Battery Chargers:
- Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer batteries are the most common rechargeable cell types found in Portable Chargers. Portable chargers are allowed in carry-on bags only.
- External battery chargers/Power banks/Uninstalled or spare lithium ion batteries must be packed in carry-on bags.
3. Makeup
For many, traveling with makeup is just as important as traveling with batteries. You’ve just gotta have it.
- Makeup in a solid or powder form is allowed in carry-on and checked bags with no quantity or size limitations. However, when packed in carry-on bags, makeup in a liquid, lotion, gel, paste or creamy form, must be in containers that are 3.4 ounces or less. You can take as many travel-sized liquids as you can comfortably fit into one quart-sized, zip-top bag. One liquids bag is allowed per passenger in carry-on bags. We don't limit the size or quantity of liquids in checked bags.
4 & 5. Shampoo & Deodorant
You’ve got to smell nice and keep your hair shiny, so it’s not surprise that many people ask about shampoo and deodorant.
- Shampoo/Conditioner and deodorant must be in containers that are 3.4 ounces or less in carry-on bags. You're allowed to take as many travel-sized liquids as can fit into a single quart-sized, zip-top bag. One bag is allowed per passenger in carry-on. Larger containers of such items must be placed in checked bags. Solid and powder deodorant are allowed in carry-on bags and aren't limited in size.
Have you got a question for us? We have a team of TSA employees ready to answer your questions via Twitter at @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET daily. If you don’t like all this newfangled technology, you can pick up a phone and call our contact center at 866-289-9673 or send us an email. Federal Relay: 711
Bob Burns - TSA Social Media
