Always nice to have a review about what is and is not allowed, if the TSA has any restrictions concerning liquids in your carryon baggage, or whatever. Here's an up to date official list.
Air travelers may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.
The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.
1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
A surprising entry on the list of allowed carry-on items was "cigar cutter", which I found weird since mine was confiscated last time I tried to carry one on.
TSA Airline Carry On Luggage Liquids Restrictions
Makeup, Medication, Personal Items & Special Needs Devices
Electronic Devices
Sharp Objects
Sporting Goods
Guns & Firearms
Tools
Martial Arts & Self Defense Items
Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
Food & Drinks
Other Items
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Aerosol spray bottles and cans | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| All creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc. | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Bubble bath balls, bath oils or moisturizers | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Bug and mosquito sprays and repellents | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Cigar Cutters | Yes | Yes |
| Corkscrews | Yes | Yes |
| Cuticle Cutters | Yes | Yes |
| Deodorants made of gel or aerosol | Yes -3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Eye drops - You are allowed to carry a 3 oz. or smaller container of eye drops in a clear, one-quart plastic bag. There is no restriction on the amount you may carry, but containers greater than 3 oz. must be declared to the Security Officer and cannot be carried in your clear, one-quart bag. | Yes | Yes |
| Eyeglass Repair Tools - including screwdrivers. | Yes | Yes |
| Eyelash Curlers | Yes | Yes |
| Gel-filled bras and similar prosthetics - Gel-filled bras may be worn through security screening and aboard aircraft. | Yes | Yes |
| Hair styling gels and spray of all kinds including aerosol | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Hair Straightener or Detangler | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Knitting and Crochet Needles | Yes | Yes |
| Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives. | No | Yes |
| Lip gels such as Carmex or Blistex | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Liquid lip glosses or other liquids for lips | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Liquid bubble bath including gel or liquid filled | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Liquid foundations | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Liquid, gel or spray perfumes and colognes | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Liquid sanitizers | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Liquid soaps | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Liquid mascara | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Make up removers or facial cleansers | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Mouthwash | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Nail Clippers | Yes | Yes |
| Nail Files | Yes | Yes |
| Nail polish and removers | Yes -3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Non-prescription liquid or gel medicines like cough syrup and gel cap type pills - You are allowed to carry up to 3 oz., of eye drops in a clear, one-quart plastic bag. Volumes greater than 3 oz. must be declared to the Security Officer and cannot be carried in your clear, one-quart bag. For more details see read our information on liquid medications | Yes | Yes |
| Personal lubricants - You are allowed to carry up to 3 oz., of eye drops in a clear, one-quart plastic bag. Volumes greater than 3 oz. must be declared to the Security Officer and cannot be carried in your clear, one-quart bag. | Yes | Yes |
| Safety Razors - including disposable razors. | Yes | Yes |
| Saline solution - You are allowed to carry up to 3 oz., of eye drops in a clear, one-quart plastic bag. Volumes greater than 3 oz. must be declared to the Security Officer and cannot be carried in your clear, one-quart bag. | Yes | Yes |
| Scissors - plastic or metal with blunt tips. | Yes | Yes |
| Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length. | Yes | Yes |
| Shampoos and conditioners | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Toothpaste | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Toy Transformer Robots | Yes | Yes |
| Toy Weapons - if not realistic replicas. | Yes | Yes |
| Tweezers | Yes | Yes |
| Umbrellas- allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed. | Yes | Yes |
| Walking Canes - allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed. | Yes | Yes |
| NOTE: Some personal care items containing aerosol are regulated as hazardous materials. The FAA regulates hazardous materials. This information is summarized at www.faa.gov. | ||
Electronic Devices
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Camcorders (See below) | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Equipment - the checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film in camera equipment. We recommend that you either put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on baggage or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask the screener to conduct a hand-inspection.(See below) | Yes | Yes |
| Laptop Computers (See below) | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Phones (See below) | Yes | Yes |
| Pagers (See below) | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Data Assistants (PDA's) (See below) | Yes | Yes |
| NOTE: We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on bags NOTE: Check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic items during your flight. | ||
Sharp Objects
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Box Cutters | No | Yes |
| Ice Axes/Ice Picks | No | Yes |
| Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives | No | Yes |
| Meat Cleavers | No | Yes |
| Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors. | No | Yes |
| Sabers | No | Yes |
| Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches | Yes | Yes |
| Swords | No | Yes |
| NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors. | ||
Sporting Goods
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Baseball Bats | No | Yes |
| Bows and Arrows | No | Yes |
| Cricket Bats | No | Yes |
| Golf Clubs | No | Yes |
| Hockey Sticks | No | Yes |
| Lacrosse Sticks | No | Yes |
| Pool Cues | No | Yes |
| Ski Poles | No | Yes |
| Spear Guns | No | Yes |
| For more information, please read our Traveling with Special Items section. | ||
Guns & Firearms
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Ammunition - Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. If ammunition is permitted, it must be declared to the airline at check-in. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section. | No | Yes |
| BB guns | No | Yes |
Compressed Air Guns (to include paintball markers) - Carried in checked luggage without compressed air cylinder attached. | No | Yes |
| Firearms - firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section. | No | Yes |
| Flare Guns - May be carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our section on Camping. | No | Yes |
| Flares | No | No |
| Gun Lighters | No | Yes |
| Gun Powder including black powder and percussion caps | No | No |
| Parts of Guns and Firearms | No | Yes |
| Pellet Guns | No | Yes |
| Realistic Replicas of Firearms | No | Yes |
| Starter Pistols | No | Yes |
| NOTE: Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. | ||
Tools
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Axes and Hatchets | No | Yes |
| Cattle Prods | No | Yes |
| Crowbars | No | Yes |
| Hammers | No | Yes |
| Drills and drill bits (including cordless portable power drills) | No | Yes |
| Saws (including cordless portable power saws) | No | Yes |
| Tools (greater than seven inches in length) | No | Yes |
| Tools (seven inches or less in length) | Yes | Yes |
| Screwdrivers (seven inches or less in length) | Yes | Yes |
| Wrenches and Pliers (seven inches or less in length) | Yes | Yes |
| NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers. | ||
Martial Arts & Self Defense Items
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Billy Clubs | No | Yes |
| Black Jacks | No | Yes |
| Brass Knuckles | No | Yes |
| Kubatons | No | Yes |
| Mace/Pepper Spray - One 118 ml or 4 Fl. oz. container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. For more information visit www.faa.gov., click on Passengers, then Preparing to Fly. | No | Yes |
| Martial Arts Weapons | No | Yes |
| Night Sticks | No | Yes |
| Nunchakus | No | Yes |
| Stun Guns/Shocking Devices | No | Yes |
| Throwing Stars | No | Yes |
| NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers. | ||
Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
| Explosive Materials | Carry-on | Checked |
| Blasting Caps | No | No |
| Dynamite | No | No |
| Fireworks | No | No |
| Flares (in any form) | No | No |
| Hand Grenades | No | No |
| Plastic Explosives | No | No |
| Realistic Replicas of Explosives | No | No |
| Flammable Items | Carry on | Checked |
| Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities) | No | No |
| Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel) | No | No |
| Gasoline | No | No |
| Gas Torches | No | No |
| Lighter Fluid | No | No |
| Common Lighters - Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation (DOT) exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case. If you are uncertain as to whether your lighter is prohibited, please leave it at home. | Yes | No |
| Torch Lighters - Torch lighters create a thin, needle-like flame that is hotter (reaching 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit) and more intense than those from common lighters. Torch lighters are often used for pipes and cigars, and maintain a consistent stream of air-propelled fire regardless of the angle at which it is held. Torch lighters continue to be banned. | No | No |
| Strike-anywhere Matches - One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage. | No | No |
| Flammable Paints (See Other Items below for non-flammable paints) | No | No |
| Turpentine and Paint Thinner | No | No |
| Realistic Replicas of Incendiaries | No | No |
| NOTE: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is summarized at www.faa.gov, click on Passengers, then Preparing to Fly. | ||
| Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items | Carry-on | Checked |
| Chlorine for Pools and Spas | No | No |
| Small compressed gas cartridges (Up to 2 in life vests and 2 spares) | Yes | Yes |
| Fire extinguishers and other compressed gas cylinders | No | No |
| Liquid Bleach | No | No |
| Spillable Batteries - except those in wheelchairs | No | No |
| Spray Paint | No | No |
| Tear Gas | No | No |
| NOTE: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is summarized at www.faa.gov. | ||
Food & Drinks
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in containers LARGER than 3 oz. | No | Yes |
| Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in a 3 oz. or smaller container and in your quart-size, zip-top plastic bag. | Yes | Yes |
| Beverages purchased after security screening | Yes | Yes |
| Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Learn more about traveling with children. | Yes | Yes |
| Canned or jarred goods such as soup, sauces, peanut butter, fruits, vegetables and jellies | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Cheese in pressurized containers | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Duty free alcohol and other items (Please see our section on Duty Free Items) | Yes, but some restrictions apply. | Yes |
| Gel based sports supplements | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Jell-O's | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Pudding | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Whipped cream | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Yogurt or gel like food substances | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) - A product most commonly found in MRE's, used to heat food packages. There is no limit on the number of MREs an individual may possess in checked or carry-on baggage, but the MRE(s) containing FRH(s) must be unopened (original factory seal is unbroken) | Yes | Yes |
Other Items
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
| Gel-type candles | No | Yes |
| Gel shoe inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened. | No | Yes |
| Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint | Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container | Yes |
| Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint | No | No |
| Snow globes and like decorations regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation. | No | Yes |
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