What Can I Take on a Plane in Checked Luggage?

Beer and wine are generally ok, but the TSA limits how many bottles you can bring and their proof.
Weapons are ok in checked baggage, but don’t pack anything flammable or explosive. (Except for Taco Bell burritos. Those can go in your carry on.)
Removable batteries and power banks should go in your checked luggage.

The TSA has some pretty strict rules about what you can bring in your carry on bag, but if you’re wondering “what can I take on a plane in my checked luggage?” here are your answers. No you can’t bring us. We checked.

One easy rule of thumb to live and pack by: “When in doubt, leave it out.”

If you’re worried that your pressurized scuba air tanks might explode mid-flight, double-check the airline’s policy or just rent them at your destination. If you’re flying to Burning Man, leave the flammables behind. They’ll be available onsite. We promise.

Can I Pack Wine or Beer in My Checked Luggage?

Yes, you’re allowed to pack wine and beer into your checked luggage. You can also bring wine or booze in your carry on as long as it’s 3.4 ounces or smaller. You just can’t drink it onboard (the TSA doesn’t believe in emotional support bourbon.)

Rules About Alcohol In Your Checked Luggage

If you’re carrying alcohol in your checked luggage, make sure you’re not only complying with airline policies, but if you’re traveling internationally, the rules of the country you’re flying into.

If alcohol is less than 24% ABV, the FAA doesn’t limit how much alcohol you can pack in your checked luggage.
If you prefer to drink something harder (between 24% and 70% ABV), you’re allowed up to 5 liters.
If alcohol is over 70% ABV, it’s prohibited from both carry-on and checked luggage. But you can always mail your bathtub gin to us!
Bottles or cans need to be in unopened, retail packaging.

If you need to bring 24 bottles of Shiraz on your three-day trip to Paris, consider getting it shipped by a professional company. Also, maybe try dry January?

Can I Pack Weapons, Like My Favorite Pick Axe?

If you’re headed on a mountaineering expedition, your ice axe and pick axe can’t go in your carry on bag — you’ll need to check them. Make sure your weapons are sheathed and securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers.

What about other sharp objects, weapons, and anything else potentially dangerous?

Non-flammable, non-explosive weapons are generally permitted in checked luggage. However, it’s worth take a gander at the TSA’s list of permitted items just to make sure.

Tattoo guns: allowed
Spear guns: allowed
Actual guns: allowed, but they need to be declared and unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container
Snow globes: allowed
Dumbbells: allowed
Ammunition: allowed, needs to be checked and declared
Fireworks: not allowed
Anything flammable: not allowed

Can I Pack My Lighter?

If your lighter has fuel in it, you cannot pack it in your checked luggage. And, even if it’s empty, you are only permitted to pack two.

If you have a disposable or Zippo lighter, you can bring it in your carry on. Yep, even if it’s full. You can also bring one pack of matches on the plane.

What about my vape pen or Juul?

No, you can’t pack your vape pen or Juul in your checked luggage. You also can’t pack e-lighters, gun lighters, torch lighters, plasma lighters, or arc lighters in your checked luggage. Or your lightsaber. (Unless that’s what you call your vibrator.)

How Should I Pack My Vibrator?

If you’re worried your vibrator might qualify as a dangerous object, you’re doing it wrong. Your Hitachi wand is good to fly, in your checked luggage. Though, you might want to stash it in your carry on bag if you’re on an extra long flight.

More than half of women in the U.S. own a vibrator, so there’s no reason for TSA to get all judgy about it. Unless of course, it starts vibrating mid-flight and there’s concern it might be a bomb. Then, everyone on flight will be judgy about it. So, use common sense and remove the batteries before you pack it.

Handcuffs are also allowed in your checked bag or your carry on. Whips are checked luggage only. Your trip sounds exciting.

Just be aware that in certain countries, sex toys and pornography are illegal. If they’re found in your luggage, they could be confiscated and you may face criminal charges. Which, unless you’re super kinky, isn’t the sexiest start to a vacation.

Is There a Limit to How Many Liquids I Check?

Not really. After all, you can check an entire case that’s literally just wine.

Pack liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols (yes you can bring your dry shampoo) that’s over 3.4 ounces in your checked luggage. The TSA generally allows larger containers of selected liquids — like baby formula, breast milk, or medications — in moderate quantities. You’ll need to declare these for inspection at the checkpoint and may need additional screening.

Packing liquids can be risky, given how rough your baggage might be handled. Pack liquids in your checked luggage in tightly sealed plastic bottles to protect them from breaking or spilling.

What’s Not Okay to Pack in Checked Luggage?

For the TSA’s full list of banned items, click here.

However, there are certain items that are technically allowed in your checked luggage, but it’s a much better idea to keep them in your carry on bag, in your purse, or on your person.

Here are a few items you shouldn’t pack in your checked luggage:

Jewelry and valuables
Identification, passports, boarding passes, and essential documents (keep these in your carry-on and put photocopies in checked luggage)
Cash and credit cards
Laptops and electronics (these are fragile, expensive, and prone to breaking)
Medications
Fragile items
Batteries (keep these in your carry-on)

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Megan B

Megan is a journalist from South Africa, where she cut her teeth in the world of print and magazines. When she's not planning her next escape from reality, she's in search of the next big surf spot.