⛽ Can you bring Butane canisters / camping fuel on a plane?
Banned (flammable gas, cabin and checked)
As of 2026-08-21
The rule in detail
Portable butane canisters, isobutane cans, camping gas cartridges and lighter refill fluid are classed as flammable gases and liquids, and are banned from both the cabin and checked baggage. An empty can still holds residual gas, so the same rule applies to it. Take the gear and buy the fuel at your destination: burners and lanterns themselves may be checked once the fuel is completely drained and the unit aired out.
Why the rule is written this way
It is classified as Allowed with conditions — check the rules because capacity, shape and quantity decide whether it passes, so the same object can be confiscated on one trip and not the next.
Measure it yourself before you leave, and if it is borderline ask the airline and keep the answer in writing. At the checkpoint the final call is the security officer’s.
The rules this verdict comes from
The verdict above follows from 2 Korean rules listed below, named in the original Korean because that is how they are indexed at the national law database. These are the rules themselves, not an airline summary — when screening staff disagree, this is the text that decides. Rules are amended; anything changed after the review date above follows the original.
What actually happens at the airport
- Check-in desk — this is the point of no return for your suitcase. Anything that may only travel in the cabin cannot be retrieved after this step.
- Security screening — if the X-ray flags a shape, the bag is opened. Most problem items are caught here.
- Extra check at the gate — on some routes there is one more inspection.
Confiscated items are rarely returned. If you are unsure, confirm the specification before you leave home.
Being caught costs more than the item — carrying dangerous goods is a finable offence and it holds up your check-in
Other items in the same class
The items below are also classified as Allowed with conditions — check the rules. Quantity and volume limits differ per item, so check each rule separately.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| 🧴 Liquids / gels / cosmetics | Cabin: 100ml or less / checked: no limit |
| ⚠️ Cordless hair straightener (built-in battery) | No (confiscated in Japan) |
| 🍾 Alcohol (wine, whisky, spirits) | Checked only (5L limit for 24–70% ABV) |
| 🪒 Razors / razor blades | Razor: cabin OK / loose blades: checked only |
| 🔪 Scissors / utility knives | Blades under 6cm only (no utility knives) |
| 🪫 Dry-cell / spare lithium batteries | Alkaline: either / lithium: cabin only |
| 👁️ Contact lenses / lens solution | Lenses: no limit / solution: 100ml max |
| 🌸 Perfume | Cabin: 100ml max / checked: 2L per person |
| 💅 Nail polish / remover | Cabin: 100ml max / remover counts too |
| 🔥 Hand warmer / heat pack | Chemical: either / electric: cabin only |
| 🐾 Pet / carrier | Advance booking required (cabin under 7kg) |
| 🎸 Musical instrument | Small: cabin / large: buy a seat |
| 🥤 Water / soft drinks | Not through security (buy it airside) |
| 🛴 E-scooter / self-balancing board | Banned (battery too large, cabin and checked) |
| 💵 Cash / valuables | Keep it on you (declare over USD 10,000) |
Frequently asked questions
- Butane canisters / camping fuel — can I take it in the cabin?
- Banned (flammable gas, cabin and checked). Portable butane canisters, isobutane cans, camping gas cartridges and lighter refill fluid are classed as flammable gases and liquids, and are banned from both the cabin and checked baggage. An empty can still holds residual gas, so the same rule applies to it. Take the gear and buy the fuel at your destination: burners and lanterns themselves may be checked once the fuel is completely drained and the unit aired out.
- Butane canisters / camping fuel — can I put it in checked baggage?
- No. It is not allowed in the cabin either, so there is no way to fly with it. Leave it behind or plan to buy one at your destination.
- Is there anything else to watch out for with Butane canisters / camping fuel?
- Being caught costs more than the item — carrying dangerous goods is a finable offence and it holds up your check-in