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What you cannot take in carry-on: check before you pack

What you cannot take in carry-on luggage: sharp tools, large liquids and some batteries are common limits, but rules differ, so check before flying.

Zeina Saidi2 min read

A grey airport security tray holding a laptop, phone and clear bag
Image by djedj from Pixabay

What can you not take in carry-on? It depends where you fly from and which airline you use. Common limits cover sharp objects, large liquids, flammable items and some batteries.

The rule

If it is sharp, flammable, or a liquid over the limit, check the rules first.

Rules differ by country and airline. In the United States, the TSA lists what you can bring on its "What can I bring?" page, and the FAA lists rules on dangerous goods on its PackSafe page. Other countries have their own aviation authority.

Items often restricted include:

  • Knives, blades and some tools
  • Liquids and gels over the container limit
  • Fireworks, lighters with fuel or flammable sprays
  • Some sports items and equipment
  • Lithium batteries, which have limits on size and where you pack them

One reason this works

Checking the list takes five minutes and saves you losing an item at security, or missing a flight arguing about it.

One exception

Many items allowed in carry-on may be banned in a checked bag, and the other way round. Power banks, for example, usually must stay in the cabin. See can I bring a power bank on a plane. For liquids, see liquids in carry-on: the 3-1-1 rule. The final say belongs to the security officer, so check your airline and airport too.

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