When in doubt...
Leave it out!
WWW.F AA.GOV/GO/PACKSAFE
WHAT IS A HAZARDOUS
MATERIAL?
Hazardous materials (hazmat) include,
but are not limited to:
• Explosives, Fireworks, and Ammunition
• Gases and Aerosols
• Flammable Liquids and Solids
• Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides
• Toxic and Infectious Materials
• Radioactive Materials
• Corrosives
• And many other articles such as lithium
batteries, e-cigarettes,
battery-powered vehicles and dry ice.
When traveling by commercial aircraft,
U.S. Federal regulations (49 CFR,
parts 171-180) forbid most hazardous
materials in your checked baggage,
carry-on baggage, or on your person
(in pocket, etc.). The FAA enforces
these regulations and issues fines to
passengers that violate the rules. See
reverse side for examples of forbidden
and permitted hazardous materials.
FAA “HAZARDOUS MATERIALS”
vs. TSA “PROHIBITED ITEMS”
For security reasons, the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) restricts
passengers from carrying additional
“prohibited items” such as weapons
and sharp objects.
For TSA security guidance on:
• Knives and sharp objects
• Liquids, gels, and aerosols in
carry-on
• Medicines and syringes
• Firearms and ammunition declaration
• Passenger and baggage screening
Please visit the Transportation Security
Administration website: www.tsa.gov
Or call 866-289-9673
WHAT TO PACK
WHAT TO LEAVE BACK
QUESTIONS ON HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS IN CARRY-ON OR
CHECKED BAGGAGE?
For detailed information on the rules
and exceptions, please go to:
www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe
HAZARDOUS
Or call the US DOT Hazardous Materials
Information Center at:
MATERIALS IN
1-800-467-4922 / 202-366-4488
AIRLINE BAGGAGE
Or scan the QR code below:
FORBIDDEN HAZMAT
As a general rule,
airline passengers
cannot carry
hazardous materials
in checked baggage
or into the aircraft
cabin (carry-on
baggage).
The items shown here
are just a partial list of
forbidden hazardous
materials.
Go to www.faa.gov/
Go/PackSafe for more
information.
PERMITTED HAZMAT
Airline passengers may
carry small amounts
of some hazardous
materials, subject to
quantity/size limits
and other restrictions.
Some items, such
as spare lithium
batteries and electronic
cigarettes are allowed
in the aircraft cabin
(carry-on) but are
forbidden in checked
baggage–including bags
checked at the gate or
plane side.
Go to: www.faa.gov/
Go/PackSafe for
a complete list of
permitted hazardous
materials and the limits
and restrictions for each.
Explosives, fireworks,
and ammunition;
including black powder,
firecrackers, poppers,
sparklers, bottle rockets,
flares, and other
explosives. Unloaded
firearms and some
small arms ammunition
may be in checked
baggage when properly
packaged and declared.
Medicinal and toilet
articles that are
hazardous materials;
including aerosols (if
nozzles are protected),
hairsprays, perfumes,
nail polish and
remover, inhalers,
antiseptics, insect
repellents, etc. No
more than 0.5 kg/L
(18 oz. / 17 fl. oz.)
per container and
2 kg/L (70 oz. / 68 fl.
oz.) total per person.*
Compressed,
flammable, or
toxic gases;
including oxygen,
butane, propane,
refrigerant gases for
cars, and pressurized
scuba tanks.
One book of matches
or a lighter in carry-
on or on your person
(in your pocket). Spare
lighter fluid, butane,
strike-anywhere
matches, and torch
lighters are forbidden.
**One small self-
defense spray (4 oz.)
in checked baggage
only (not allowed
outside the US).
Aerosols; including
spray starch, antistatic
spray, spray paint,
air freshener, cooking
spray, etc. Some
personal medicinal/
toiletry aerosols like
hairspray are allowed.
Battery-powered
wheelchairs and
mobility devices
when properly
prepared. Contact your
airline for guidance.
Dry ice in vented
packages; up to
5.5 lbs (2.5 kgs) per
passenger when used
to pack perishables.
Flammable liquids;
including fuels, lighter
fluid, solvents, and some
paints and adhesives.
Any equipment that
ever contained fuel
(e.g., camping stoves,
chainsaws) must be
completely purged of
fuel residue and vapors.
Most artist paints are
nonflammable and
permitted.
Batteries in portable
electronic devices
(laptops, cell phones,
cameras, etc.). Spare
batteries must be
securely packed with
the terminals protected.
Spare lithium batteries
and electronic cigarettes
are forbidden in
checked baggage.
Corrosives and
oxidizers; including
drain cleaners,
paint strippers,
pool chemicals,
strong bleaches, car
batteries, and wet
batteries.
Alcoholic
beverages in
unopened retail
packagings, 70%
alcohol by volume
(140-proof) or
below.*
Non-infectious
specimens in
preservative solutions.*
Radioactive
materials; including
radioisotopes,
equipment, and
contaminated
materials.
Radioactive
medicines injected/
ingested/implanted
in passengers are
allowed.
Poisons (toxics)
and infectious
substances; including
some pesticides/
herbicides; specimens
known to be infectious/
pathogenic.
**Engine powered
equipment when
completely drained
and purged of all
fuel and vapors
from engine, fuel
tanks, and lines.
**Small arms
ammunition securely
boxed; in checked
baggage only.
Cartridges up to
.75 caliber and all
sizes of shotgun shells
are permitted when
properly declared.
*TSA security rules further limit most liquids, gels,and aero-
sols in carry-on baggage to 100-ml (3.4-ounce) containers.
This does not affect purchases made beyond the passenger
screening checkpoint.
**These items are often further restricted/limited by airlines.
Check your carrier’s policy.
