TSA Item Rules
45 items with the figures laid out in fact tables, each page dated and linked to its official sources. Pick an item below for the full answer, or use the main tool to run your own numbers.
Want to run your own numbers? Open the Can I Bring It? TSA Item Finder.
Liquids (3.4 oz rule)
Carry-on liquids must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all fitting in one quart-size bag.
Nail clippers
Nail clippers are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags, but attached knife-style blades are not allowed in the cabin.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste in carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less in the quart bag; any tube size is fine in checked bags.
Lighters
FAA allows one common lighter on your person or in carry-on; torch lighters are banned everywhere and lighters do not go in checked bags.
Razors
Disposable and cartridge razors fly in carry-on; loose razor blades must go in checked bags.
Portable chargers
Power banks are carry-on only; up to 100 Wh is allowed, and 101 to 160 Wh needs airline approval.
Deodorant
Solid stick deodorant has no size limit; gel, roll-on and spray follow the 3.4-ounce carry-on rule.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen lotion and spray over 3.4 ounces must go in checked bags; sunscreen sticks are unrestricted.
Perfume and cologne
Perfume in carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less; checked bags allow up to 18 ounces per bottle and 70 ounces total.
Shampoo and conditioner
Liquid shampoo over 3.4 ounces must be checked; solid shampoo bars are unrestricted in any bag.
Hair spray
Hair spray in carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less; checked cans are capped at 18 ounces with the cap on.
Contact lens solution
Contact lens solution is allowed in both bags; larger carry-on bottles must be declared as medically necessary.
Baby formula and breast milk
Formula, breast milk and juice are allowed in carry-on and checked bags in amounts above 3.4 oz if you declare them at screening.
Medications
Pills are allowed in any bag, and medically necessary liquid medicine can exceed 3.4 oz in a carry-on when declared.
Water bottles
Liquid water over 3.4 oz cannot go through the checkpoint, so bring an empty bottle and refill after screening.
Alcohol
Drinks up to 24 percent ABV have no checked limit; 24-70 percent is capped at 5 liters; over 70 percent is banned.
Wine
Standard 750 ml wine belongs in checked bags, where there is no quantity cap, and not in carry-on.
Snacks and food
Solid snacks go in either bag, while spreads, soups and other liquid or gel foods over 3.4 oz must be checked.
Peanut butter
Peanut butter is limited to 3.4 oz in carry-on because it is a spread, while checked bags have no restriction.
Hand sanitizer
One hand sanitizer container up to 12 oz is allowed per passenger in carry-on, and extra bottles follow the 3.4 oz rule.
Scissors
Scissors are allowed in carry-on if the blades measure under 4 inches from the pivot point, and any size can be checked.
Pocket knives
Pocket knives cannot go in a carry-on, but they are allowed in checked bags if sheathed or securely wrapped.
Lithium batteries
Spare lithium batteries and power banks go in carry-on only, up to 100 Wh each, or up to 160 Wh with airline approval.
E-cigarettes and vapes
E-cigarettes and vapes must travel in the cabin and are prohibited in checked bags; using them on board is a federal offense.
Knitting needles
Straight, circular, double-pointed and interchangeable knitting needles are all allowed in carry-on and checked bags, but the officer has the last word.
Electric razors
An electric razor can go in carry-on or checked luggage; only loose spare lithium batteries are restricted to the cabin.
Curling irons
A corded curling iron is allowed in both bags; a butane-powered cordless iron is carry-on only, one per person, with a safety cover fitted.
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are allowed in carry-on and checked bags; the practical limits are airline bag size and a pointed tip the officer may dislike.
Walking canes
Canes are allowed in carry-on and checked bags; mobility aids must go through X-ray or a hand inspection, and you can ask to get yours back at once.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles belong in checked luggage; guides quote TSA as barring them from carry-on whatever the length or tip.
Golf clubs
Golf clubs must be checked: none are allowed in the cabin, from a single club to a full set.
Tripods
Tripods are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags, but size, spikes and batteries decide where yours should ride.
Camping stoves
A camp stove is allowed in carry-on or checked bags only if it is completely empty of fuel and vapor; the fuel itself cannot fly.
Fuel and butane
Flammable fuels, butane refills, lighter fluid and camp fuel are prohibited in both carry-on and checked bags; one lighter is the main exception.
Bear spray
Bear spray cannot go in carry-on, and standard canisters exceed the 4 fl oz cap for checked bags, so most hikers buy it after landing.
Pepper spray
One pepper spray container of 4 fluid ounces or less may go in checked luggage only, with a safety mechanism and under 2 percent CS or CN tear gas.
Aerosols
Toiletry aerosols are allowed in both bags, but carry-on cans must be 3.4 oz or less and checked cans follow a 70 oz total limit.
Dry ice
Dry ice is allowed up to 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) per passenger in a vented package, but TSA says to check with your airline first.
Candles
Solid wax candles are allowed in both bags, while gel-type candles must go in checked luggage only.
Snow globes
Small snow globes with under 3.4 oz of liquid can go in your quart bag; larger ones must be checked.
Gel ice packs
Gel ice packs pass screening when frozen solid; partly melted packs are treated as liquids, with an exception for medical needs.
Coolers
An empty cooler flies in either bag; the contents, not the cooler, decide whether it clears screening.
AA batteries
Dry cell batteries like AA and AAA are allowed in both bags with no quantity limit, as long as the terminals are protected.
Laptops
Laptops fly in either bag; the FAA prefers the cabin, and standard lanes require taking the laptop out for screening.
CBD and cannabis
Hemp-derived CBD with 0.3 percent THC or less and FDA-approved products are federally legal; marijuana is not, and TSA refers it to police.
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