Some of the common toiletry and electronics items you may have packed 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, battery powered electronics and assistive devices. 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.
For a Safe Start, Check the Chart!
Check the chart to see which common dangerous goods are allowed in checked and/or carry-on baggage and which are not. The checked baggage rules also apply to carry-on bags that are checked at the gate or at planeside.
When using the chart, it's very important to read the "Details" section for important information such as packaging requirements and quantity limits. You can use the "Search" box to look up a particular item by name within the active tab.
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 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.
Product Safety Recalls
If a product that is dangerous goods or that contains a dangerous goods component (e.g., battery) is subject to a safety recall related to the dangerous goods, it must not be carried aboard an aircraft or in baggage unless the recalled product/component has been replaced or repaired or otherwise made safe per manufacturer/vendor instructions. The FAA and your airline may offer further public guidance on individual recalled products.
| 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
Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries, cell phone batteries, laptop batteries |
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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
Diving lamps, soldering equipment |
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 Fireworks
Firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers, sparklers |
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 Engine powered equipment with residual fuel
Chainsaws, generators, trimmers, etc. |
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 Implanted medical device, ingested or injected radiopharmaceuticals
Heart pacemakers, radioactive medicines in the body, etc. |
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_thumb.png) Matches (safety and strike anywhere)
Safety matches, waterproof matches |
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 Small compressed gas cylinders for mechanical limbs
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 Paints and solvents, flammable
Including thinners, turpentine, MEK, denatured alcohol, acetone, resins, lacquers, varnishes, stains |
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 Portable electronic devices, containing batteries
Cell phones, laptop, camera, smart phones, PDAs containing lithium batteries |
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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 the 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
Including hairspray, 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 and disposable lighters) |
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! Restrictions Apply | |
 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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 Spare fuel cells and cartridges
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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, 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 | ! Restrictions Apply |
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.