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.

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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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Fresh Meat and Seafood

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

Meat, seafood and other non-liquid food items are permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. If the food is packed with ice or ice packs in a cooler or other container, the ice or ice packs must be completely frozen when brought through screening. If the ice or ice packs are partially melted and have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they will not be permitted. You also can pack frozen perishables in your carry-on or checked bags in dry ice. The FAA limits you to five pounds of dry ice that is properly packaged (the package is vented) and marked.

Frozen Food

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

Meat, seafood, vegetables and other non-liquid food items are permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. If the food is packed with ice or ice packs in a cooler or other container, the ice or ice packs must be completely frozen when brought through screening. If the ice or ice packs are partially melted and have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they will not be permitted.

Fuel Cells Used to Power Portable Electronic Devices and Spare Fuel Cell Cartridges (Flammable Gases or Water-Reactive Material)

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

Two spare fuel cell cartridges may be carried in carry-on baggage only.

Each fuel cell must be marked by the manufacturer "Approved for carriage in aircraft cabin only".

Each fuel cell cartridge (not the electronic device) must be marked with the maximum quantity and type of fuel in the cartridge.

Though allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage according to international regulations, spare fuel cell cartridges containing flammable gases and water reactive substances are only allowed in carry-on baggage by U.S. regulations.  See FAA Regulations for more information.

Fuel Cells Used to Power Portable Electronic Devices and Spare Fuel Cell Cartridges (Flammable Liquid/Corrosive Material)

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

Two spare fuel cell cartridges may be carried. See the FAA Regulations for more information on quantity limits.

For international flights check with your airline as international regulations may vary from domestic regulations.

Fuels

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Any flammable liquid fuel, such as cooking fuel, is prohibited. 

Full Sized Video Game Consoles

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: Yes

Please place the console in a separate bin for X-ray screening.

Gas Torches

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Gasoline

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Geiger Counters

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: Yes

Gel Ice Packs

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

Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.

Note that medically necessary gel ice packs in reasonable quantities are allowed regardless of their physical state of matter (e.g., melted or slushy) with or without the presence of breast milk. Please notify the TSA officer at the checkpoint for inspection.

Learn more about transporting medication on your next flight.