Carry-on Restrictions Guide: What You Can and Can’t Bring on Board

Packing for a flight is easier when you know what’s allowed in your carry-on and checked baggage. This guide covers common items like liquids, electronics, snacks, and souvenirs, helping you avoid airport delays, extra fees, or confiscated items so your domestic or international trip feels smoother and stress-free.

What Items Are Allowed in Carry-On Luggage

Most daily essentials are allowed in your carry-on, but some items have limits.

✅ Allowed in Carry-On

• Nail clippers, tweezers, disposable razors, and cartridge razors
• Small scissors with blades under 4 inches
• Compact umbrellas
• Laptops, phones, tablets, cameras, and chargers
• Power banks under 100Wh, kept in carry-on only
• Labeled medicines, baby food, formula, and breast milk
• Mobility aids like wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and CPAP machines
• One standard lighter per person

🚫 Not Allowed in Carry-On

• Knives, pocket knives, and multi-tools with blades
• Loose razor blades, box cutters, and corkscrews with blades
• Tools longer than 7 inches
• Pepper spray, stun guns, and brass knuckles
• Realistic toy weapons or replica weapons
• Fireworks, flammable paint, and explosive items

Tip: Rules may vary by airline, airport, and destination, so check before flying, especially for power banks, medicines, baby items, and sharp objects.

What Are the Electronics and Battery Rules for Carry-On Bags?

Electronics You Can Bring

You can usually bring these in your carry-on:

• Laptops, tablets, phones, and e-readers
• Cameras, chargers, and MP3 players
• Hair dryers and hair straighteners
• Electric shavers and other small personal gadgets

Battery Rules to Know

• Spare lithium batteries and power banks must stay in your carry-on, not checked baggage.
• Most power banks must be under 100Wh.
• Batteries between 101Wh and 160Wh may need airline approval.
• Lithium metal batteries must not exceed 2g of lithium each.
• Smart luggage is only allowed if the battery can be removed and carried in the cabin.

Tip: Always check your airline’s rules before flying, especially if you are bringing power banks, spare batteries, or multiple electronic devices.

What Are the Medication and Medical Equipment Rules for Carry-On Bags?

If you need medicine or medical equipment during your trip, pack them in your carry-on so they are easy to access.

Medications You Can Bring

• Tablets, capsules, and daily prescription medicines
• Liquid medicine, even over 100ml, if medically necessary
• Inhalers, insulin, EpiPens, and other essential medical items
• Syringes or needles, but bring a prescription or doctor’s note
• Medical equipment like CPAP machines, canes, crutches, and mobility aids

Important Rules to Know

• Keep medicines in original packaging when possible.
• Label your medication clearly.
• Carry a prescription or doctor’s letter, especially for liquid medicine over 100ml, injectables, or controlled medicine.
• Declare liquid medicine and medical devices at security if needed.
• For international trips, check your destination’s medicine rules before flying, as some common medicines may be restricted.

Tip: Pack enough medicine for your trip, plus extra in case of delays. Keep it in your carry-on, not checked baggage.

What Food Can You Bring on a Plane?

You can usually bring solid food in your carry-on, but liquid, creamy, or spreadable items must follow the 100ml liquid rule.

Solid Foods Allowed

• Sandwiches, bread, biscuits, and cookies
• Nuts, dried fruits, crackers, and granola bars
• Hard cheese and chocolates
• Fresh fruits, but check destination rules for international flights

Restricted in Carry-On Over 100ml

• Soups, sauces, and gravies
• Yogurt and soft or creamy cheese
• Jams, honey, syrup, and liquid chocolate
• Peanut butter, hummus, salsa, and other dips or spreads

Tip: For international flights, avoid bringing fresh fruits, meat, seafood, dairy, or strong-smelling food unless you are sure they are allowed at your destination.

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What Are the Sports Equipment and Tools Rules for Carry-On?

Sports equipment and tools are allowed on flights, but many sharp, heavy, or long items are not allowed in carry-on bags. Most of these should be packed in checked baggage instead.

Not Allowed in Carry-On

These items usually need to go in checked baggage:

• Baseball bats, cricket bats, and heavy sports sticks
• Golf clubs
• Darts
• Walking or hiking poles
• Ice axes, climbing tools, and sharp camping gear
• Martial arts equipment
• Tools longer than 7 inches
• Power tools, drills, blades, and sharp tools

UK airport rules list golf clubs, darts, walking or hiking poles, heavy bats, and martial arts equipment as not allowed in hand luggage, but allowed in hold luggage. TSA guidance also says tools longer than 7 inches must go in checked baggage.

Usually Allowed in Carry-On

• Tennis rackets
• Sports parachutes
• Small sports items like gloves, helmets, and balls
• Fishing rods, depending on airline size rules
• Small tools under 7 inches, if they are not sharp or dangerous

Notes: Snooker, pool, or billiard cues are not always banned. For example, UK airport rules allow them in hand luggage, but airline cabin size limits may still apply.

Tip: Check with your airline before flying with sports gear. Even if airport security allows the item, the airline may reject it if it is too long, heavy, or oversized for the cabin.

What Can You Bring When Traveling with Children?

Traveling with children comes with extra carry-on allowances, especially for feeding and safety items.

Usually Allowed in Carry-On

• Baby food, puree pouches, formula, and breast milk
• Sterile water or toddler drinks in reasonable amounts
• Ice packs or cooling packs for baby milk
• Diapers, wipes, baby snacks, and small toys
• Child safety seats, if approved for aircraft use

Important Rules

• Baby milk, formula, and food can usually be over 100ml, but they may need extra screening.
• Breast milk may have container limits in some countries, such as the UK’s 2,000ml per container rule.
• Check with your airline before bringing a car seat, as it must fit the aircraft seat and meet safety approval.

Tip: Keep baby liquids and food easy to remove at security so screening is faster.

What Liquids Can You Bring in Carry-On?

Most liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and sprays must follow the 100ml rule.

Carry-On Liquid Rules

• Each container must be 100ml / 3.4 oz or less
• All items must fit in one clear, resealable plastic bag
• Only one liquid bag per person is allowed
• Take the bag out at security if required
• This rule also applies to toiletries, perfume, lotion, toothpaste, gels, and liquid-style food

Usually Exempt

• Liquid medicine
• Baby formula, breast milk, and baby food
• Duty-free liquids in sealed airport security bags

Tip: Some airports have advanced scanners, so you may not need to remove liquids from your bag. Always check your departure airport’s rule before flying.

What Are the Additional Prohibited Items?

Some items are banned or strictly restricted because they can be dangerous on an aircraft.

Usually Banned from Carry-On and Checked Baggage

Do not pack these items:

• Fireworks, flares, gunpowder, and explosives
• Gasoline, lighter fluid, camping fuel, and fuel refills
• Spray paint, paint thinner, and strong flammable liquids
• Toxic chemicals, poisons, acids, bleach, and peroxides
• Radioactive or corrosive materials
• Smart luggage with a non-removable lithium battery

Many airlines list flammable liquids, oxidizing substances like bleach or peroxide, poisons, radioactive items, and corrosive materials as not permitted in passenger baggage.

Strictly Restricted Items

These are not allowed in your carry-on and may only be accepted under special checked-baggage rules:

• Firearms, weapon parts, and ammunition
• Pepper spray, tear gas spray, stun guns, and tasers
• Camping stoves or fuel containers, only if fully cleaned and airline-approved

Smart luggage is only accepted if the lithium battery can be removed. If the bag is checked in, the battery must be removed and carried in the cabin.

Tip: Do not guess with dangerous items. If you are unsure, check your airline’s prohibited items list before packing. Trying to bring restricted goods can lead to confiscation, fines, or denied boarding.

What Are the Airline-Specific Carry-On Policies?

Carry-on limits can change by airline, fare type, and route. For Filipino travelers, these are the usual economy class limits:

Tip: Always check your airline before flying. Some airlines count your personal item in the 7 kg limit, while others allow one extra small item. Low-cost carriers are usually stricter at the boarding gate.

Tips for a Smooth Security Experience

A little preparation can make airport security faster and less stressful.

• Arrive early: Give yourself enough time, especially when traveling with kids or during peak hours.
• Pack liquids smartly: Keep liquids in a clear, resealable bag and place it where you can easily remove it.
• Organize your bag: Use packing cubes or pouches so items are easier to check if security opens your bag.
• Prepare electronics: Keep laptops, tablets, and e-readers easy to take out for screening.
• Declare special items: Tell security about medicines, baby milk, formula, or baby food over 100ml.
• Check rules before flying: Review your airline and airport rules to avoid delays or confiscated items.