Restricted Items: What You Can and Cannot Fly With

There are broadly three categories: things that cannot fly at all, things that can fly checked but not in the cabin, and things that can only fly in the cabin. Miscategorising one item is a common cause of thrown-away goods at security and, in the case of prohibited items in checked bags, of thrown-away goods and additional screening delays.

Absolutely prohibited

Cannot fly at all, checked or cabin:

• Explosives - fireworks, blasting caps, dynamite.
• Compressed gases in large quantities.
• Flammable liquids over 500 ml (paint, alcohol above 70% by volume).
• Corrosive substances (drain cleaner, wet cell batteries not sealed).
• Poisons and toxins.
• Radioactive materials outside of specifically approved medical shipments.
• Self-defense sprays over 118 ml (some jurisdictions ban entirely).
• Firearms outside of hunting/professional exemptions with permits.

Checked-only items

Cannot go through security in the cabin; must be in checked bags:

• Sharp items over 6 cm (knives, scissors with blades over 6 cm, box cutters).
• Sporting equipment (bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, cricket bats).
• Tools over 7 in / 18 cm (screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers).
• Ammunition (with airline notification, in original packaging, under 5 kg per passenger).
• Firearms (declared at check-in, unloaded, locked hard case).
• Alcohol above 24% and below 70% ABV, up to 5 liters per passenger.
• Larger e-cigarette batteries (varies by airline).

Cabin-only items

Cannot be checked; must go in the cabin:

• Lithium batteries (spare, not installed in a device) - never checked.
• Power banks - always cabin, capacity limits apply.
• E-cigarettes and vape devices.
• Cash and jewelry (not regulated, but airlines exclude these from lost-baggage liability).
• Prescription medication.
• Passports and travel documents.
• Electronics with lithium batteries larger than 100 Wh (with airline approval).

Special cases

Customs restrictions

Security lets it fly. Customs decides if it enters the country. This is a different framework and often the source of confusion.

• Fresh meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables: banned in most countries as biosecurity risk.
• Wooden souvenirs: often OK but subject to declaration and inspection.
• Herbal medicines: increasingly regulated; may require declaration.
• CBD products: legal to fly in the U.S. domestically under 0.3% THC; illegal in many international destinations.
• Cash over local declaration threshold ($10,000 USD equivalent in most jurisdictions).
• Cultural artifacts, antiques: often require export permits from origin country.

See also: customs guide, immigration guide, travel documents checklist and carry-on rules.