COVID-19 Test Kits: Unused COVID-19 test kits do not contain dangerous goods and are typically allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage.
COVID-19 test kits containing diagnostic samples (e.g., nasal swabs and vials of sputum) are not allowed in carry-on baggage. These samples must be properly packaged, handled, and identified as a UN3373 Category B Infectious Substance (PDF) during transportation. Passengers should check with their carrier before packing COVID-19 test kits containing diagnostic samples in checked baggage or shipping as cargo. Individual carriers and international requirements may be more restrictive than domestic regulations.
TSA Exemption for Hand Sanitizer: The TSA will allow one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags until further notice. Since these containers exceed the standard allowance typically permitted through a checkpoint, they must be screened separately. This will add some time to your checkpoint screening experience. All other liquids, gels and aerosols brought to a checkpoint continue to be limited to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in a one quart-size bag. TSA's special procedures for traveling with medication. For checked bags, the limits for toiletry and medicinal articles still apply: 17 fl. ounces per bottle and 68 fl. ounces total.
For a Safe Start, Check the Chart!
Some of the items you pack in your baggage may be considered dangerous goods, also known as hazardous material. Most dangerous goods are forbidden in carry-on and checked baggage. There are a few exceptions for some personal items such as toiletries, medicines, and assistive devices. Check the chart below to see which common dangerous goods are allowed in checked and/or carry-on baggage and which are not. Remember, this is just a listing of common dangerous goods; if you don't see your item here it doesn't mean it's allowed in baggage. When in doubt, leave it out!
Security Screening Questions: The Transportation Security Administration also has rules on "prohibited items" that pose a security threat. Though they sometimes overlap, the TSA security rules are separate from the FAA dangerous goods safety rules; go to the TSA Prohibited Items web page.
| Hazardous Material | Category | Checked Bag | Carry On | |
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 Aerosols flammable
Non-toiletry, WD-40, spray paint, spray starch, cooking spray, etc. |
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 Aerosols, non-flammable
Nonflammable aerosols (with no other hazard), non-toiletry, some electronics cleaners, whipped cream |
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 Adhesives, flammable
Rubber cement, pipe cement, some super glues and other flammable adhesives |
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 Ammunition
Cartridges up to 19.1mm, shotgun shells |
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 Alcoholic beverages
In unopened retail packaging, containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume (up to 140 proof) |
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 Avalanche rescue backpack, self-inflating
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 Batteries, lithium
Power Banks, cell phone battery charging cases, rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries, cell phone batteries, laptop batteries, power banks, external batteries, portable rechargers |
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 Animal spray, repellent
Greater than 118 ml (4 fluid ounces), bear spray, animal repellent |
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 Small compressed gas cylinders and cartridges in or with a device
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other nonflammable, nontoxic gases |
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_thumb.png) Curling irons (cordless)
Cordless curling iron containing a gas cartridge, butane fueled curling irons |
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 Dry ice
Carbon dioxide, solid, 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) or less, when used to pack perishables |
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 Duty free perfume and cologne
Perfumes and colognes purchased through airport and airline duty free shops |
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 Heat producing articles, Battery or Electrically Powered
Diving lamps, soldering equipment |
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! See Details | ! See Details | |
 Fireworks
Firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers, sparklers, M-80s, fire crackers, Roman candles |
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 Engine powered equipment with residual fuel
Chainsaws, generators, trimmers, etc. |
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 Medical devices containing radioactive material, implanted, ingested, injected, or fitted externally as a result of a medical treatment
Heart pacemakers that contain radioactive materials or lithium batteries and radiopharmaceuticals that have been ingested, injected, or implanted. |
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_thumb.png) Matches (safety)
Safety matches, waterproof matches |
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 Small compressed gas cylinders for mechanical limbs
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 Paints and solvents, flammable
Thinners, turpentine, MEK, denatured alcohol, acetone, resins, lacquers, varnishes, stains |
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 Portable electronic devices, containing batteries
Cell phones, cell phone battery charging cases, laptops, cameras, smart phones, electronics, data loggers, PDAs containing lithium batteries, games, tablets, watches, etc. |
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! See Details |
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_thumb.png) Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs)
Inogen One, Sequal Eclipse, Airsep Lifestyle and others approved by FAA |
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 Self defense spray
Mace, pepper spray not exceeding 118 ml (4 fluid ounces) |
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 Self-inflating life jacket or safety vest
Inflatable life jackets, motorcycle vests, riding vests |
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 Medical-clinical mercury thermometer
Small medical thermometer |
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 Wheelchairs and mobility devices with non-spillable or dry batteries
Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter |
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 Medicinal & toiletry articles
Hairspray, hand sanitizers, aerosols, rubbing alcohol, inhalers, nail polish and remover, etc. |
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 Matches, strike-anywhere
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 Lighters
Unabsorbed liquid (desk/table lighters, antique wick lighters), absorbed liquids, butane (Zippo-type lighters, disposable lighters) |
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! See Details | |
 Batteries, dry cell
Alkaline, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium |
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 Batteries, wet, nonspillable
Small gel cell and absorbed electrolyte batteries for portable electronics |
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 Fuel cells containing flammable liquid or corrosive material
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 Fuel cells containing flammable gases or water-reactive material
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_thumb.png) Oxygen (compressed or liquid)
Medical oxygen, recreational oxygen |
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 Wheelchairs and mobility devices with spillable batteries
Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter |
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 Wheelchairs and mobility devices with lithium ion batteries, normal design, battery installed
Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter |
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 Wheelchairs and mobility devices with lithium ion batteries, collapsible design, battery removed
Electric wheelchair, mobility scooter |
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 Camping stoves and fuel bottles completely purged of fuel
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 Flammable fuels and liquids
Including containers and equipment with residual fuel |
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 Engine powered equipment completely purged of fuel
Chainsaws, generators, trimmers, etc. |
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 Signal flares and road flares
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 Mosquito repellent, insect repellent
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_thumb.png) Air tanks, pressurized (include scuba and scba)
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 Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof
Greater than 70% alcohol by volume (more than 140 proof), including grain alcohol and 151 proof rum |
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 Formaldehyde solutions, less than 10 percent
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 Biological specimens, non-infectious, in preservative solutions
Containing formaldehyde, ethanol, isopropanol, or other alcohols |
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 Liquid nitrogen in a dry shipper
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 Mercury barometer or thermometer
Carried by government weather bureau or similar official agency. |
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 Adhesives, nonflammable
School glue, glue sticks, etc. |
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 Permeation devices for calibrating air quality monitoring equipment
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 Hand warmers, toe warmers, body warmers
Disposable warming pads using carbon, charcoal, and iron compounds, Hot Hands, Little Hotties, etc. |
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 Electronic cigarettes, vaping devices
Battery-powered E-cigarettes (e-cigs), vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems |
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 Oils, nonflammable, non-aerosol
Motor oil, engine oil, 3-in-1 oil, baby oil, mineral oil, body oil, olive oil, most cooking oils |
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 Paints and solvents, nonflammable
Watercolors, acrylics, pigments and most artist oil paints |
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 Chemical kits containing hazardous materials
Water test kits, soil test kits, children's chemistry sets, etc. when containing hazardous materials |
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_thumb.png) Instant ice packs (using ammonium nitrate)
Instant/rapid ice packs that are activated by force—when used for medical/first aid purposes. |
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 Portable recreational vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries
Hover boards, self-balancing scooters, unicycle scooters, etc. |
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! See Details | ! See Details | |
 Baggage equipped with lithium batteries
Batteries and Electronics |
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! See Details | ! See Details | |
 Lithium Battery Powered Lighters
Tesla coil lighters, flux lighters, arc lighters, double arc lighters |
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 Security-type equipment incorporating dangerous goods as part of its equipment
Attaché cases, cash boxes, cash bags |
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! See Details | ! See Details | |
_thumb.png) Drones, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Primary and spare batteries, fuel cells, components of certain parachute systems |
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! See Details | ! See Details |
What is a Hazardous Material?
From lithium batteries to aerosol whipped cream, many items used every day at home or work are regulated as hazardous materials (a.k.a. "hazmat" and "dangerous goods"). These products may seem harmless; however, when transported by air they can be very dangerous. Vibrations, static electricity, and temperature and pressure variations can cause items to leak, generate toxic fumes, start a fire, or even explode. Hazardous materials include, but are not limited to: Explosives, Gases, Flammable Liquids and Solids, Oxidizers, Toxic and Infectious Materials, Radioactive Materials, Corrosives and many other items that can endanger the traveling public when not handled correctly. The good news is that many of the hazardous materials we can't live without are allowed in our baggage, but only if we follow the rules.
The Hazmat Rules
The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) are federal transportation safety rules found in 49 CFR, parts 171-180. The FAA enforces the HMR in aviation. Passengers violating the HMR can be fined from $250 to $50,000. Those who intentionally violate the regulations are subject to a criminal penalty of up to $500,000 and/or five years imprisonment. So, it is important to know what items are hazardous materials and whether or not they are allowed in the aircraft cabin or in checked baggage.
Note: The Transportation Security Administration also has rules on "prohibited items" that pose a security threat. Though they sometimes overlap, the TSA security rules are separate from the FAA hazmat safety rules discussed here. For the TSA rules on weapons, sharp objects, the "3-1-1" rule on liquids, gels, and aerosols, etc.; go to the TSA Prohibited Items web page.
What is a Hazardous Material?
From lithium batteries to aerosol whipped cream, many items used every day at home or work are regulated as hazardous materials (a.k.a. "hazmat" and "dangerous goods"). These products may seem harmless; however, when transported by air they can be very dangerous. Vibrations, static electricity, and temperature and pressure variations can cause items to leak, generate toxic fumes, start a fire, or even explode. Hazardous materials include, but are not limited to: explosives, gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, toxic and infectious materials, radioactive materials, corrosives, and many other items that can endanger the traveling public when not handled correctly. The good news is that many of the hazardous materials we can't live without are allowed in our baggage, but only if we follow the rules.
Dangerous goods discovered that are improperly packaged, not permitted in baggage, leaking, or hidden/artfully concealed are subject to civil and criminal penalties as appropriate.
Damaged or Recalled Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices
Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat, must not be carried aboard an aircraft (e.g. carry-on or checked baggage) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed or otherwise made safe. The airline may offer further public guidance on transporting individual recalled products.
For additional information on recalls, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission, manufacturer, or vendor website.
For HAZMAT-related questions, contact us at hazmatinfo@faa.gov.