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Travel and transport
Dangerous and restricted items: what you cannot take on board a flight
The UK has strict security measures in place to keep dangerous items from being taken on board a flight. Find out what you can and can't take in your hand baggage (bags you carry on to the aircraft) and checked-in (or hold) baggage.
Know what you can take on your flight
The rules for what you're allowed to carry on board your flight are strict, particularly on hand luggage. Contact your airline if you have questions about how much hand luggage you can take or its size and shape.
Check the rules on liquids in your hand luggage
You're allowed to take liquids in your hold luggage, but there are strict rules in place about carrying liquids in your hand luggage. 'Liquids' includes gels, sprays (aerosols) and pastes. For full details of the rules on liquids, see 'Air travel hand baggage rules'.
Contact your airline or departure airport if you have any questions
Airport security staff may confiscate anything they consider dangerous - even if the lists below say the item is allowed in your luggage
Dangerous or restricted items
You can't take any objects in your hand baggage that could cause injury to yourself and other passengers. You may be able to take some of these items in your hold baggage (the luggage you check in) instead.
If an item is not allowed in your hand baggage, you can't take it, at any time, into:
- the shopping areas of the airport (called 'airside')
- the cabin of the plane
Use the tables below for guidance on what you can and can't take aboard when you fly. Other restrictions may be in place, so contact your airline or departure airport directly if you have any questions about what you can take.
Personal items
| Items | Allowed in hand baggage? | Allowed in hold baggage? |
|---|---|---|
| Corkscrew | no | yes |
| Spoon |
yes |
yes |
| Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or a blade longer than 6cm) | no | yes |
| Small scissors (with blades no longer than 6cm) | yes | yes |
| Large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm) | no | yes |
| Round-ended/blunt scissors (of any length) | yes | yes |
| Fixed-cartridge razor blade (disposable razor) | yes | yes |
| Nail clippers/nail file | yes | yes |
| Tweezers | yes | yes |
| Knitting needles | yes | yes |
| Sewing needle | yes | yes |
| Umbrella | yes | yes |
| Walking stick/cane, walking aid | yes | yes |
| Pushchair | yes | yes |
| Wheelchair | yes | yes |
| Safety matches | yes | no |
| 'Strike anywhere' matches (non-safety matches) | no | no |
| Fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics, including party poppers and toy caps | no | no |
| Cigarette lighter |
no (but you may carry a single lighter on your person) |
no |
| Contact lens solution |
yes (but no more than 100ml) |
yes |
For detailed information on what you can carry in your hand baggage, see 'Air travel hand baggage rules'.
Electronic items and electrical goods
Note that you can't use electronic devices at certain times during a flight. The flight crew will advise you or you can find more information on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website – follow the link below this table.
| Item | Allowed in hand baggage? | Allowed in hold baggage? |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile phone |
yes (but you must not use your mobile once the aircraft doors have closed) |
yes |
| Laptop | yes | yes |
| MP3/CD/tape player | yes | yes |
| Camcorder | yes | yes |
| Pager | yes | yes |
| PDA/Blackberry | yes | yes |
| Hairdryer or hair straighteners | yes | yes |
| Camera and camera equipment | yes | yes |
| Travel iron | yes | yes |
| Electric razor/shaver | yes | yes |
Sporting equipment
| Item | Allowed in hand baggage? | Allowed in hold baggage? |
|---|---|---|
| Sports parachute | yes | yes |
| Bat, racquet or sports stick | no | yes |
| Snooker, pool or billiard cue | no | yes |
| Golf clubs | no | yes |
| Darts | no | yes |
| Walking/hiking poles | no | yes |
| Fishing rod | no | yes |
| Catapult | no | yes |
| Firearms (including replica firearms) | no | check with airline before you travel |
| Harpoon or spear gun | no | yes |
| Crossbow | no | yes |
| Martial arts equipment, including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and nunchuks | no | yes |
| Diving equipment (note that oxygen cylinders for diving are not allowed either in hand baggage or hold baggage) | yes | yes |
Work tools
| Item | Allowed in hand baggage? | Allowed in hold baggage? |
|---|---|---|
| Tool with a blade or shaft longer than 6cm (screwdriver, chisel etc.) | no | yes |
| Drill and drill bits | no | yes |
| Stanley knife | no | yes |
| Saw (includes portable power saw) | no | yes |
| Screwdriver | no | yes |
| Hammer | no | yes |
| Pliers | no | yes |
| Wrench or spanner | no | yes |
| Bolt gun or nail gun | no | yes |
| Crowbar | no | yes |
| Blowtorch | no | yes |
Medication and medical equipment
You may be asked to prove that any medication or medical equipment is necessary for the duration of your trip. You can do this by showing a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor. Only take in your hand baggage what you need for the trip.
| Item | Allowed in hand baggage? | Allowed in hold baggage? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling gel packs |
yes (but you will need approval from the airline or airport) |
yes |
| Medical equipment (CPAP and TENS machines, etc.) | yes | yes |
| Tablets and capsules |
yes (there is no restriction on the number of tablets or capsules you can carry) |
yes |
| Essential liquid medicines |
yes (but you will need approval from the airline or airport to carry over 100ml) |
yes |
| Hypodermic syringes | yes | yes |
| Inhalers | yes | yes |
| Oxygen cylinders |
yes (but always check with your airline first) |
|
|
no |
For detailed information on what you can carry in your hand baggage, see 'Air travel hand baggage rules'.
Baby food and baby milk
You are allowed to take enough baby food or milk for the journey in your cabin baggage. In some cases this may be over 100ml. The adult carrying the baby food or milk may be asked to taste it.
| Item | Allowed in hand baggage? | Allowed in hold baggage? |
|---|---|---|
| Breast milk, formula milk or cow's milk |
yes (but only if baby is travelling with the parent) |
yes |
| Powdered milk |
yes (with no restriction on the amount that can be carried) |
yes |
| Sterilised water |
yes (but must be in a baby's bottle) |
yes |
| Soya milk for babies | yes | yes |
| Baby food of various consistencies | yes | yes |
For detailed information on what you can carry in your hand baggage, see 'Air travel hand baggage rules'.
Chemicals and toxic substances
| Item | Allowed in hand baggage? | Allowed in hold baggage? |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidisers and organic peroxides, including bleach and car body repair kits | no | no |
| Acids and alkalis (spillable 'wet' batteries etc.) | no | no |
| Corrosives or bleaching agents, including mercury and chlorine | no | no |
| Vehicle batteries and vehicle fuel systems | no | no |
| Defensive/disabling sprays including mace, pepper spray and tear gas | no | no |
| Radioactive materials, including medicinal or commercial isotopes | no | no |
| Poisons and toxic substances, including rat poison | no | no |
| Infectious substances or biological hazards (infected blood, bacteria, viruses etc.) | no | no |
| Material that could spontaneously ignite or combust (burst into flames) | no | no |
| Fire extinguishers | no | no |
Ammunition
| Item | Allowed in hand baggage? | Allowed in hold baggage? |
|---|---|---|
| Guns or firearms of any kind (includes air rifles, starting pistols etc.) | no | check with airline before you travel |
| Blasting caps | no | no |
| Detonators and fuses | no | no |
| Replica or imitation explosive devices, including replica and model guns | no | no |
| Mines, grenades and other explosive military stores | no | no |
| Fireworks and other pyrotechnics | no | no |
| Smoke canisters | no | no |
| Smoke cartridges | no | no |
| Dynamite | no | no |
| Gunpowder | no | no |
| Plastic explosive, including black powder and percussion caps | no | no |
| Flares in any form | no | no |
| Hand grenades | no | no |
| Gun cigarette lighters | no | no |
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