What Can I Bring?

Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport. Know what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage before arriving at the airport by reviewing the lists below. Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. Read about civil penalties for prohibited items.

For items not listed here, our AskTSA team looks forward to answering your questions 365 days a year; live assistance is available from 8 am – 6 pm (ET).
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The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

Officers may ask you to power up your electronic device, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. TSA does not read or copy information from your device.

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Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less in a device

Carry On Bags: Yes
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only. Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries are limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery. Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. These limits allow for nearly all types of lithium batteries used by the average person in their electronic devices.

This instruction covers spare lithium metal and spare rechargeable lithium ion batteries for personal electronics such as cameras, cell phones, laptop computers, tablets, watches, calculators, etc. This instruction also includes external battery chargers (portable rechargers and power banks) containing a lithium ion battery. For more information, see the FAA regulations on batteries.

For lithium batteries that are installed in a device (laptop, cell phone, camera, etc.), see FAA regulations for "portable electronic devices, containing batteries".

Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: No

Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only.

With airline approval, passengers may also carry up to two spare larger lithium ion batteries (101–160 Wh) or lithium metal batteries (2-8 grams). This size covers the larger after-market extended-life laptop computer batteries and some larger batteries used in professional audio/visual equipment. There is a limit of two spare batteries per person for the larger lithium ion batteries described above (101–160 watt hours per battery. For more information, see the FAA regulations on batteries.

This instruction covers spare lithium metal and spare rechargeable lithium ion batteries for personal electronics such as cameras, cell phones, laptop computers, tablets, watches, calculators, etc. This instruction also includes external battery chargers (portable rechargers and power banks) containing a lithium ion battery. For lithium batteries that are installed in a device (laptop, cell phone, camera, etc.), see FAA regulations for "portable electronic devices, containing batteries."

Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

Standard screening

Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs

Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs and APAPs as well as facemasks and tubing may remain in their carrying case for X-ray screening, but may be required to be removed from the carry-on.

Precheck screening

Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs and APAPs as well as facemasks and tubing may remain in their carrying case, and in the carry-on, for X-ray screening

Liquids associated with nebulizers are exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule, in reasonable quantities. For more information, see TSA special procedures.

Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage. Most other consumer electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

For more information to portable electronic devices, see the FAA regulations.

Non-Spillable Wet Batteries

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

The information in this entry is limited to non-spillable batteries with absorbed electrolyte (gel cell, absorbed glass mat, etc.) used in portable electronic devices. It does not cover large vehicle batteries. For battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility devices, see separate entry.

The battery voltage must not exceed 12 volts and the battery watt hour rating must not exceed 100 watt hours.

Battery-powered equipment must be protected against accidental activation and the evolution of heat, and damage to the terminal posts. See FAA regulations for full packaging requirements.

No more than two spare (not installed in device/equipment) batteries may be carried.

Power Tools

Carry On Bags: No
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

Power tools must be packed in checked bags, including drills and drill bits. Power tools with installed batteries must be packed in checked bags. Batteries installed in devices must be protected from accidental activation. External battery chargers that don’t require electricity and spare, uninstalled lithium batteries must be packed in a carry-on bag. For tools powered by lithium batteries, see FAA regulations.

Spillable Batteries

Carry On Bags: No
Checked Bags: No

Except those in wheelchairs.

Tattoo Guns

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage. Most other consumer devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

For more information to portable electronic devices, see the FAA regulations.

TENS unit

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)

TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. If your doctor has told you that your specific TENS unit shouldn't go through an X-ray, you should notify the TSA officer so they can conduct alternate screening. To help you get through security more efficiently, remove your TENS unit from your carry-on bag and put it in the screening bin so the TSA officer can get a clear view of it. For more information, see TSA special procedures.

Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage. Most other consumer electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

For more information to portable electronic devices, see the FAA regulations