What are the restricted items on flights?
There are important things to remember while packing your hand baggage and the items you put in your carry-on luggage as there are strict rules on what you can and can’t .
Here is a list of items which is not permitted in cabin baggage or in registered baggage and is screened by airport security.
Explosive Liquids, Gels and Aerosols
In accordance to safety and security regulations of most airlines, there is a strict NO to explosive materials such as gun lighters and gun powder, blasting caps, dynamite, fireworks, flares (in any form), hand grenades andplastic explosives. You cannot carry compressed gases on flight like butane, oxygen, liquid nitrogen and aqualung cylinders. All cooking fuels and flammable liquid fuels, gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, strike anywhere matches, turpentine and paint thinner are not allowed on board. Even insecticides, weed-killers and live virus materials and oxidizing materials like bleaching powder, peroxides are not permitted in all baggage.
Matches and Lighters
While personal items like mobile phones, laptop, tablet devices, MP3 players, hairdryer or hair straighteners, travel iron, electric razor/ shaver and E-cigarettes are allowed, lighters, scissors-metal with pointed tips are denied entry in hand baggage. However, some airlines allow cigarette lighter in a plastic liquid bag and ask the passenger to keep it with them during the flight.
Liquids
Only small amount of toiletries, around 3 oz in quantity can be carried in a zip-top bagin your hand baggage. You can bring your food, andcan carry duty free liquids more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml if original receipt for the liquids is present with you.
Baby Food
When flying with a baby you can carry unlimited supply of baby milk, processed baby food and sterilized water for the journey. However, these items are subject to additional screening before going through security.
Wrapped Gifts
Wrapped gifts can be carried on board, but security officials may unwrap gifts for inspection. So it is advisable to leave presents unwrapped until you reach your destination.
Sport Goods
Club or stick type sporting goods such as Cricket Bats, Golf clubs, Lacrosse Sticks, Pool Cues, Ski Poles, Spear Guns. Baseball Bats, Bows and Arrows and Hockey Sticks are restricted on airplanes.
Tools
Tools like screwdrivers, axes and hatchets, cattle prods, crowbars, hammers, drills, wrenches and pliers are restricted items.
Martial Arts or Self Defence Items
Defence items like Billy Clubs, Brass Knuckles, Black Jacks, Kubatons, Mace/Pepper Spray, Martial Arts Weapons, Night Sticks, Nunchakus, Stun Guns/Shocking Devices and Throwing Stars cannot be carried in handbag.
Sharp Objects
Box Cutters, Ice Axes/Ice Picks, Knives (any length and type except round-bladed, butter, and plastic cutlery), Meat Cleavers, Razor-type blades such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, all are restricted in airplanes but excluding safety razors, Sabres, Sword
Guns and Firearms
Ammunition, BB guns, Compressed Air Guns, Firearms, Parts of Guns and Firearms, Pellet Guns, Realistic Replicas of Firearms, Starter pistols.
Medications
All medications in the hand baggage should have valid prescriptions except for blood sugar treatment up to 8 oz. of liquid or gel, diabetes supplies such as insulin, nitroglycerine pills and non-prescription medicine up to 4 oz.
Disabling Chemicals and other Dangerous Items
Chlorine for Pools and Spas, Compressed Gas Cylinders (including fire extinguishers), Liquid Bleach, Spillable Batteries (except those in wheelchairs), Spray Paint, Tear Gas
Explosive Materials
Blasting Caps, Dynamite, Fireworks, Flares (in any form), Hand Grenades, Plastic Explosives, Realistic Replicas of Explosives
Batteries
It is always advised to pack batteries in carry-on luggage. Every airline has its policy for the type of batteries that can be carried on board. Airport staff might need to open your electronic devices to screen the battery at the security point.
Each airline site has a special section on rules and regulations on what type of items can be carried in your carry-on bags, as well as what can be packed in your checked baggage. Contact your airline directly if you have queries regarding dangerous and restricted items to avoid unnecessary delays at airport security.