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.

Flammables

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."

Matches (Safety Matches)

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: No

One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage.

Matches (Strike-anywhere Matches)

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

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.

Party Poppers

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No

Pepper Spray

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: Yes

One 4 fl. oz. (118 ml) container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. Self-defense sprays containing more than 2 percent by mass of tear gas (CS or CN) are prohibited in checked baggage. For more information, visit faa.gov.

We recommend checking with your airline as some may not allow this item in checked bags.

Phone Chargers

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: Yes

Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags.

For more information, see the FAA guidance on portable rechargers.

Power Banks

  • Carry On Bags: Yes
  • Checked Bags: No

Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags.

For more information, see the FAA guidance on portable rechargers.

Propane

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: No