What you can't take on a plane: prohibited items, liquids and baggage allowance
The principles behind cabin versus checked baggage, liquids, batteries and sharp items, and how to find your own airline's allowance from your booking and its site.
Quick answer
- Items banned in the cabin and items banned in the hold are two different sets. Sharp items and liquids over the limit are usually restricted in cabin bags, while lithium batteries such as power banks usually must stay in the cabin bag, not in checked luggage. Liquid limits and how many kilos you may carry differ by airline, country and fare class.
- The reliable method is to read the allowance from your booking or the airline's manage-booking page, and check the prohibited-items list on the airline and the departure and arrival airports' sites before you pack. This article gives no ml or kg figure as a rule because they change.
Two rule sets: cabin bag and checked bag
Many passengers assume what is banned in the cabin is banned in the hold too, but the logic differs. Cabin rules focus on safety among passengers, so they restrict sharp items, liquids and anything usable as a weapon. Hold rules focus on the safety of the cargo area, so they restrict flammable items, compressed gas and some battery types.
Items banned in the cabin: the principles
- Sharp and pointed objects, such as knives, some scissors, folding knives and sports gear that can be used to strike
- Liquids, gels, sprays and creams over the airport's limit
- Weapon-like or imitation items, even toys
- Flammable substances, explosives and hazardous chemicals
The detailed list lives on the airport's security authority site and your airline's. Open it before you pack, because things that look harmless, such as some lighters, aerosol cans or certain selfie sticks, can be restricted.
Items banned in checked luggage
What is banned in the hold mostly means items that risk catching fire or exploding with pressure changes: loose lithium batteries and power banks, lighters and lighter fluid, compressed gas and flammable substances. Battery rules are the item passengers most often get wrong; see the principles and how to check in our power bank on a plane article.
How many ml of liquid can go on board?
The popular question is how many ml of liquid is allowed on board. The honest answer is that no single figure applies everywhere. Many airports set a size per container, a total amount, and a clear bag format, but the details, including exceptions for medicine, baby food and duty-free purchases, vary by country and can change. So check the website of each airport you will actually pass through: departure, connection and arrival.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Cosmetics and toiletries | Use small containers in the clear bag format your airport requires, or put them in checked luggage |
| Medicine and baby food | Check the airport's exemptions and carry the prescription or proof it advises |
| Duty-free bought at the airport | Keep the sealed bag and receipt to the end, especially with a connection; check the connecting airport's rules |
| Drinks and water | Do not carry through security; buy or refill after security if the airport allows |
How many kilos for cabin and checked bags?
There is no universal weight that applies to every airline. Cabin and checked weight, size and number of pieces depend on the airline, route, fare class and ticket type you bought. Some low-fare tickets may not include checked baggage at all, and itineraries across several airlines may use the stricter condition, so read your own ticket.
- 1Open your booking or manage-booking pageLook for the baggage section, which states cabin and checked allowance for that specific ticket.
- 2Compare it with the airline's baggage policy pageCheck size, weight per piece, and conditions for sports gear or oversize items that the booking may not spell out.
- 3Weigh your bags at homeUse a scale before leaving, and leave room for purchases on the way back, because excess at the airport can cost more than adding allowance in advance. Check the live rate with the airline.
- 4With a connection, check every segmentIf both flights are on one booking, the stricter allowance often applies; if they are separate bookings, check each one.
Bringing things back: food, gifts and duty-free
Fresh food, fruit, meat, plants and animal products often face strict import rules because of disease and pest control. If you are flying home or on to another country, check with that country's customs and quarantine authorities before buying. If unsure, declare it as the customs form directs. See our article on arrival cards and customs declarations.
If something is flagged at security
If staff find something that does not pass, you usually have three options: discard it, move it to checked luggage if that is still possible, or leave it as the airport permits. Once your bag is checked in, options may shrink, so allow reasonable time at the airport. See our online check-in and arrival time guide.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
What items are not allowed in the cabin?+
Mainly sharp or pointed objects, liquids above the limit, weapon-like items, flammable substances and hazardous materials. The detailed list is on the airport and airline sites; check it before you pack.
What is not allowed in checked luggage?+
Mostly items that can ignite or explode, such as loose lithium batteries and power banks, lighters and lighter fluid, compressed gas and flammable substances. Always check with your airline.
How many ml of liquid can I take on a plane?+
No single figure applies everywhere. Most airports limit container size and total amount and require a clear bag, but details differ and change. Check the website of every airport you pass through.
How many kilos can my cabin bag weigh?+
It depends on the airline, route and ticket type. Look at your booking or the airline's manage-booking page and compare with its baggage policy page. Both weight and size are often checked.
How many kilos is checked baggage if my ticket does not say?+
Do not guess. Open the manage-booking page or contact the airline or the agent who sold the ticket. Some tickets exclude checked baggage, and adding it at the airport may cost more than buying in advance. Check the live rate with the airline.
Can a power bank go in checked luggage?+
Generally no. It must go in the cabin bag, and rules on capacity and quantity differ by airline. See the principles in our power bank on a plane article.
What about duty-free purchases when I have a connection?+
Keep the receipt and sealed bag, and check the connecting airport's liquids rules, since some re-screen. See more in our flight connections article.
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