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17 Things TSA Strongly Advises Against Packing in Checked Luggage

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The last thing you want at the airport is a TSA agent going through your bag for a more thorough inspection. You could be late, miss your flight, or be put on hold, especially for suspicious-looking items. 

Unfortunately, you cannot pack everything in your checked luggage. It might be inconvenient to not have quick access to your belongings, but the TSA does these checks to ensure everyone’s safety. Who could’ve thought a simple electronic device could bring you so much trouble?

Make the necessary preparations to avoid getting detained or have your items confiscated. It’ll be a waste of time and money. To save you time and effort, we’ve gathered a list of things you shouldn’t pack in your checked luggage.

1. Firearms and Ammo

Wild West gun and ammo
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One of the most obvious items that will surely put you on hold is carrying firearms and ammunition. The TSA gives these special attention as they can cause significant harm and potential threats.

If you must bring firearms, declare them properly and pack them correctly.Check TSA regulations to ensure compliance and avoid any issues.

2. Wrapped Presents

Woman holding two wrapped gifts
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The TSA doesn’t like surprises or dealing with unknown items. Even if your wrapped present is harmless, avoid packing wrapped gifts in your checked luggage. TSA officers might open them, especially if the items look suspicious.

Instead, bring your presents unwrapped and pack a separate wrapper. You can wrap your gift when you arrive or use a paper bag for convenience. 

3. High-Proof Alcohol

Bottles of vodka
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There’s no harm in enjoying a drink where you’re going. Most alcohol is allowed in checked luggage if it’s in unopened retail packaging. However, alcohol over 140 proof (70% alcohol) will be confiscated.

High-proof alcohol is highly flammable and not permitted. Always check the alcohol content of your wine and liquor to ensure they’re safe to fly. Also, avoid packing more than five low-proof alcohol bottles, as they can still pose fire hazards.

4. Lighters and Matches

Hands lighting a match
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You cannot pack a lighter unless it is fuel-free or inside a Department of Transportation–approved case. However, some airlines still prohibit carrying lighters and matches.

Matches and lighters are banned because they pose a fire risk inside the plane. You can never be sure if a lighter will ignite or if matches will cause a spark, leading to a potential fire hazard.

5. Lithium Batteries

Pile of battery
Image Credit: AksanaT/Depositphotos.

Even if they’re just for emergency backup, you should never pack lithium batteries on your checked luggage. Damaged or short-circuited lithium batteries are highly prone to explode.

Ideally, you shouldn’t pack extra laptop batteries or power banks in your checked luggage but bring them in your carry-on instead. It’s because you have flight attendants to respond to rather than in the cargo area without attendants. 

6. Aerosol Spray

Frying pan spray
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Aerosols are generally permitted in checked luggage; however, not every pressurized can is allowed inside the cargo. Pack aerosol for toiletry or medicinal use, such as inhalers, deodorant, or hairspray. 

Furthermore, you cannot pack bug and bear sprays, spray cans of paint, cooking sprays, and fire extinguishers. When those things go off, they could go into the aircraft’s system, affecting the crew and passengers.

7. Christmas Crackers

Christmas crackers on the table
Image Credit: monkeybusiness/Depositphotos.

Traditional English parties usually have Christmas crackers to emphasize celebration. They come in cardboard tubes that burst into small trinkets, and the ends turn into a party hat. While they seem harmless, they’re not allowed in your checked baggage. 

There have been instances where people disguise illegal items inside the crackers to get through TSA. To avoid those speculations, don’t add them to your luggage; just buy them at the store when you land.

8. Fireworks 

Fireworks on the ground
Image Credit: nitimongkolchai/Depositphotos.

Using fireworks is a great way to end a celebration with a bang. While they’re mainly used for parties and events, they’re not allowed in checked luggage.

There’s a risk of the fireworks exploding, which can cause harm to the plane. Keep fireworks away from your checked luggage at all costs to avoid danger and potential threats. 

9. Vape Pens and E-Cigarettes

Advanced vape
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Vape pens and e-cigarettes might seem small, but they’re dangerous inside the cargo due to their flammable lithium batteries, which can explode.

If you must bring them, pack your vape pens and e-cigarettes in your hand luggage. However, double-check with your airline to confirm that they allow vape pens on board.

10. Meat and Produce

meat
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You cannot carry meat and produce in your checked luggage. Besides the risk of spoilage, transferring certain meat and produce between countries is prohibited due to the potential introduction of new pests and diseases.

To avoid these issues, check with the TSA about which produce you can bring from one place to another. Ignorance is not an excuse — you could be fined up to $4,000 for attempting to fly with restricted items.

11. Camp-Stove Propane Canisters

Camp gas stove and cooking wear
Image Credit: kaninstudio/Depositphotos.

Camping abroad is always a great idea as you enjoy nature and explore the beauty of your surroundings. As you pack your camping gear, ensure that you leave behind any camp-stove propane canisters, as the TSA will most likely stop you. 

Camp-stove propane canisters impose a significant risk in flight as they’re highly flammable. The only way to cook fresh food during your camp is to buy a new stove when you land. It might cost more, but it’ll guarantee hot food. 

12. Bleach and Chemicals

Cleaning Supplies
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Sorry, clean freaks, but you cannot bring bleach and ammonia during your flight to clean your hotel or Airbnb. They can react with other chemicals, and you can never know what chemicals are inside the cargo.

Stick to wet wipes while on the go and purchase your cleaning chemicals when you land, if you really must. That way, you can be clean without encountering problems with TSA.

13. Specialty Glue

Man using superglue on wood
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You can pack regular white glue (what your children use in school) in your checked luggage. However, specialty glue isn’t allowed as it can be a fire hazard inside the aircraft.

Specialty glue includes rubber cement, superglue, and model glue. Check the packaging to see if they have a flammable warning so you can confirm with the TSA that you’re bringing a safe product. But if you don’t need to pack them with you, it’s best to leave your specialty glue behind.

14. Electronic Devices

Woman shopping online with her laptop MSN
Image Credit: VitalikRadko/Depositphotos.

Lithium batteries aren’t just found on power banks and extra batteries; they’re also in your electronic devices. Lithium batteries are in laptops, cameras, controllers, tablets, and cordless hair straighteners.

If you must carry your electronic devices, put them in your hand luggage. You can also save your electronics the risk of damage if your luggage gets tossed inside the cabin.

15. Long Tools

Tools
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Even if you don’t intend to, tools are a potential weapon, a considerable threat in any airline. Your hammer and plies can look suspicious. 

A great solution is to leave them behind and purchase new ones when you land. Alternatively, you can wrap your long tools with thick bubble wrap to reduce the risk. Be sure to declare that you’re bringing tools to avoid any hassle at the airport.

16. Fertilizer

Hands with fertilizer
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Bringing fertilizer home to grow your plants sounds great, but you can’t pack it in your checked luggage. Fertilizers pose a risk inside the plane, even if they seem harmless and organic.

Fertilizers are hazardous because they are flammable. You never know what other objects in the cargo may cause a fire. Unfortunately, fertilizers are also not allowed in your carry-on luggage due to their dangerous nature.

17. Live Fish or Coral

Live fish in an aquarium
Image Credit: lobster20/Depositphotos.

You cannot pack live fish or coral in your checked luggage. You can bring live fish if they’re inside a clear and transparent container, and you declare them as carry-on luggage. 

You’ll need a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) permit for live corals. A permit declares they’re for non-commercial use and were only bought as carry-on luggage.

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