Carry-on and checked baggage rules
The items most often confiscated at airport security, with whether each one may travel in the cabin or the hold.
This is not just a list of links: each page carries the actual rule and the practical preparation for it. Read only the ones you need.
There are only four classes of rule
You do not need to memorise this item by item. Knowing which of the four classes something falls into is enough to decide.
- Carry-on only β 3 items
- Allowed with conditions β check the rules β 2 items
- Carry-on or checked β 4 items
- Checked baggage only β 1 item
Most incidents happen in the allowed with conditions class. Capacity and shape decide whether the same object passes, which is why "it was fine last time" is not evidence.
The one reliable way to avoid losing an item
Take out anything that may only travel in the cabin before you hand the suitcase over at check-in. After that the suitcase stays shut until arrival, and what security takes at the checkpoint is mostly not given back.
- Power bank / lithium-ion battery Cabin only (never checked)
- Liquids / gels / cosmetics Cabin: 100ml or less / checked: no limit
- Corded hair straightener / hairdryer Cabin: yes / checked: yes
- Cordless hair straightener (built-in battery) Not permitted β confiscated in Japan
- Lighter / matches One in the cabin, on your person (not checked)
- E-cigarette (vape / heated tobacco) Cabin only (not checked)
- Nail clippers / tweezers / eyebrow razor Cabin: yes / checked: yes
- Medicine / prescriptions / supplements Cabin: yes / checked: yes (prescriptions on you)
- Tripod / selfie stick Cabin: yes / checked: yes (length limits apply)
- Aerosol spray (mist / sun spray) Checked baggage recommended (500ml or less each)