Flammable items allowed or banned by TSA
Firearms allowed or banned by TSA
Food allowed or banned by TSA
Household items and tools allowed or banned by TSA
Medical items allowed or banned by TSA
Sharp objects allowed or banned by TSA
Sports, camping items allowed or banned by TSA
Miscellaneous allowed or banned by TSA
What is TSA's 3-1-1 rule?
TSA's top 10 'best catches' of 2024
Additional screening always possible at airport security
My item isn't listed. How can I make sure it's OK?

Flammable items allowed or banned by TSA, Firearms allowed or banned by TSA, Food allowed or banned by TSA, Household items and tools allowed or banned by TSA, Medical items allowed or banned by TSA, Sharp objects allowed or banned by TSA, Sports, camping items allowed or banned by TSA, Miscellaneous allowed or banned by TSA, What is TSA's 3-1-1 rule?, TSA's top 10 'best catches' of 2024, Additional screening always possible at airport security, My item isn't listed. How can I make sure it's OK?

Banned items, though, are still ... well ... banned.

And there is a long — make that a very long — list of things you can't bring either in your carry-on or your checked bag.

Tell that to the person who had a loaded firearm in a carry-on bag June 19 at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in New York or the woman with a loaded firearm who tried to board a plane June 15 at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent throws out items that were collected at a security point at Chicago?s O'Hare International Airport Aug. 10, 2006.

Or the person who had both a knife and saw blade hidden in a cane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina on June 17.

Some banned items make sense, like the lithium batteries that cause a fire hazard. A flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale with nearly 200 people on board made an emergency landing at Fort Myers' RSW airport earlier this month after airline officials say a personal battery caught fire.

Other items on the TSA list may make you scratch your head.

Did you know you can bring a live lobster in your carry-on and even pots and pans, as long as they aren't cast iron. And how about that Magic 8 Ball? No need to shake it for an answer: Checked bag only.

Here's what you should know about banned items.

TSA breaks down items you can bring - or not - by category

TSA breaks down what you can bring in a carry-on bag or put in your checked bag into categories:

Flammables
Firearms
- TSA now considers frames, receivers, and 3D printed guns to be firearms
- TSA considers a firearm to be loaded when both the firearm and its ammunition are accessible to the passenger
Food
Household and tools
Medical
Sharp objects
Sporting and camping
Miscellaneous

Here are a few items in each category. Some may be obvious, but some may surprise you. Remember, "the final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint."

Flammable items allowed or banned by TSA

Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:

Bang snaps
Butane
Chlorine for pools, spas
CO2 cartridges
Fire extinguishers
Fireworks

Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:

Cigarettes and cigars
Non-lithium batteries in common sizes, such as AA, AAA, D, button cell, 9-volt

Sometimes yes, sometimes no:

Fuel cells (two spare fuel cell cartridges allowed in carry-on bag only but must be marked by manufacturer as "approved for carriage in aircraft cabin only."
Gel candles. Checked bag only.
Disposable lighters: Disposable and Zippo lighters without fuel are allowed in checked bags.
Matches: One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage.
Pepper spray: Not allowed in carry-on bag. Allowed in checked bag.
Phone chargers: Allowed in carry-on bag. Not allowed in checked bag.

Firearms allowed or banned by TSA

Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:

Flares
Gun powder
Rocket launcher

Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:

Holsters
Rifle scopes

Sometimes yes, sometimes no:

Ammunition: Not allowed in carry-on bags. Check with your airline to see if OK in checked bag.
BB guns: Not allowed in carry-on bags. Check with your airline to see if OK in checked bag.
Firearms and rifles: Not allowed in carry-on bags. Firearms carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Check with your airline to see if they allow firearms in checked bags.
Realistic replicas of firearms: Not allowed in carry-on bags. Allowed in checked bags.

Food allowed or banned by TSA

Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:

Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol (over 140 proof)

Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:

Baby food
Bottled water: Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags but in carry-on must be less than 3.4 ounces
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags.
Candy and cookies
Solid cheese
Coffee, both beans and ground
Fresh eggs
Pies and cakes
Pizza
Protein or energy powders: If more than 12 ounces must be in separate bin for screening.
Soda: Must be less or equal to 3.4 ounces

Sometimes yes, sometimes no:

Alcoholic beverages: Allowed in checked bags. Allowed in carry-on bags if not more than 70% alcohol and limited to 1.3 gallons per passenger in unopened retail container. If less than 24% alcohol, no limit. Mini bottles must comfortably fit into one quart-sized bag.
Baby formula: Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.
Canned food: While not specifically prohibited, they could require additional screening that could mean the item not being allowed. TSA recommends putting in your checked bag on shipping it.
Fresh fruits and vegetables: Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags but passengers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland cannot take most fresh fruits and vegetables due to the risk of spreading invasive plant pests.
Gel ice packs: Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid. If partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements. Medically necessary gel ice packs in reasonable quantities are allowed regardless whether frozen or melted.
Live lobster: Check with your airline first. A live lobster is allowed through security but must be transported in a clear, plastic, spill-proof container.

Household items and tools allowed or banned by TSA

Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:

Cooking spray
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Spray starch

Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:

Baby powder
Bottle opener
Breast pump
Cell phones
Coat hangars
Coffee/espresso maker
Disinfecting wipes
Duct tape
Hand sanitizers if less than 3.4 ounces
Electric heating pad
Laptops
Multi-tools without blades
Screwdrivers shorter than 7 inches
Vacuum-sealed bags: These are allowed but not encouraged. If they alarm, the TSA officer may need to open them for inspection.
Wedding dress: You can bring a wedding dress through the security checkpoint for screening, but we strongly recommend that it is packed safely in a garment-style bag or other packaging to protect it. If the dress cannot fit through the checkpoint X-ray machine, alternate screening procedures will be taken and your garment bag will need to be opened.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no:

Axes and hatchets: Not allowed in carry-on, but OK in checked bag
Blender, allowed in carry-on only if the blade has been removed.
Bug repellent: The FAA limits the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, in checked baggage. The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces). Permitted aerosol release devices (button/nozzle) must be protected with a cap or other means to protect against accidental release.
Gel heating pad: Not allowed in carry-on but allowed in checked bag.
Magic 8 Ball: Not allowed in carry-on but allowed in checked bag.
MREs: Some airlines do not allow MREs in carry-on bags due to self-heating element. If allowed, must be less than 3.4 ounces.
Nail guns: Not allowed in carry-ons but OK in checked bags.
Pots and pans: Generally allowed in both carry-on and checked bags but cast iron skillets are prohibited in carry-ons.

Medical items allowed or banned by TSA

Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:

Blood sugar test kit
Canes
EpiPens
Life vest
Nitroglycerine pills
Vitamins
Walkers
Wheelchairs

Sometimes yes, sometimes no or special requirements:

External medical devices: Inform the TSA officer before the screening process begins. Submit the device for X-ray screening if you can safely disconnect. If you cannot disconnect from the device, it may require additional screening and "those in sensitive areas are subject to careful and gentle inspection." Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage.
Inhalers: TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.
Insulin: Please let our officers know you have medically necessary liquids for carry-on and place them in a bin separately for x-ray screening.
Medical marijuana: Marijuana and certain cannabis infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA.
Portable oxygen concentrators: Certain portable oxygen concentrators are permitted onboard the aircraft. See the list.
Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs and APAPs: These devices, as well as facemasks and tubing, may remain in their carrying case for X-ray screening, but may be required to be removed from the carry-on.
Medications: Medications in pill or other solid forms must undergo security screening. You can facilitate this screening by clearly labeling medication. Medication can undergo a visual or X-ray screening and may be tested for traces of explosives.
Unused syringes: Unused syringes are allowed when accompanied by injectable medication. You must declare these items to security officers

Sharp objects allowed or banned by TSA

Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:

Crochet hooks: Securely wrap or sheath to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors
Disposable razor
Knitting needles
Nail clippers
Sewing needles

Sometimes yes, sometimes no:

Box cutters: Not allowed in carry-on bag but allowed in checked bag
Pocket knife: Not allowed in carry-on bag but allowed in checked bag
Scissors: If packed in carry-on, they must be less than 4 inches from the pivot point.

Sports, camping items allowed or banned by TSA

Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:

Bear bangers
Bear spray

Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:

Antlers
Bicycle chains
Bocce balls
Boxing gloves
CO2 cartridge for life vest: You may bring a life vest with up to two CO₂ cartridges inside, plus two spare cartridges in your carry-on or checked bag.
Cowboy spurs
Fishing pole. Confirm with airline the fishing rod fits within size limitations for carry-on items.
Football helmets
Golf balls
Hand warmers
Parachutes: You may transport parachutes, either with or without Automatic Activation Devices, in carry-on or checked bags and must be packed separately.
Pickleball paddle
Skateboards: Please check with your airline for any size or weight restrictions.
Umbrellas: Allowed, but check with airline for any size or weight restrictions.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no:

Air mattress with built-in pump: Air mattresses with built-in pump are allowed in carry-on bags. But check with your airline for any size or weight restrictions.
Baseball bats: Not allowed in carry-on bags but allowed in checked bags.

Miscellaneous allowed or banned by TSA

Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:

Fertilizer

Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:

Baby carrier
Balloons, not inflated
Binoculars
Blankets
Fresh flowers, without water
Geiger counter
Glow sticks: Follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-on bag.
Handcuffs
Harry Potter wand
Headphones
Night vision goggles
Play-doh
Steel-toe boots

Sometimes yes, sometimes no:

Battery-powered wheelchairs: Not allowed in cabin and special requirements must be met to be checked in.
Brass knuckles: Although these items can be placed in your checked baggage, they are still illegal in some states. Not allowed for carry-on.
Cremated remains: Some airlines do not allow cremated remains in checked bags. If the container is made of a material that generates an opaque image, TSA officers will not be able to clearly determine what is inside the container and the container will not be allowed. Out of respect for the deceased, TSA officers will not open a container, even if requested by the passenger.
Drones: Check with your airline for both checked and carry-on options.
Dry ice: The FAA limits you to 5.5 pounds of dry ice that is properly packaged and marked. Airline approval is required.
Electronic cigarettes, vaping devices: Electronic smoking devices are allowed only in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage. Passengers are required to take effective measures for preventing accidental activation of the heating element.
Foam toy sword: Not allowed in carry-on but allowed in checked bag.
Live fish: Allowed in carry-on bag after inspection by TSA officer. Not allowed in checked bag.
Metal detector: Check with airline on weight and size for both carry-on and checked bags.
Toy guns and weapons: Generally permitted for carry-on, but recommended to be placed in checked baggage. Squirt guns, Nerf guns, toy swords, or other items that resemble realistic firearms or weapons are prohibited. Replicas of explosives, such as hand grenades, are prohibited in checked and carry-on baggage. TSA officers have the discretion to prohibit any item.

Still not sure if an item is allowed or banned? You can search TSA list

If you're still not sure whether the item you want to bring is allowed, you can enter a search word at TSA's website.

What is TSA's 3-1-1 rule?

"You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint," TSA said.

The TSA's liquid 3-1-1 rule stands for:

3.4 ounces or less per item
1 quart-sized bag
1 bag per passenger

The rule has been in place since 2006, with the intention of limiting the risk of dangerous liquids being brought into an airplane.

TSA's top 10 'best catches' of 2024

"You won't believe what people brought to the airport," TSA said in a video highlighting the "top 10 best catches of 2024."

Additional screening always possible at airport security

"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," TSA said.