4 items the TSA absolutely discourages you from bringing on a plane

Nothing ruins your journey like a lengthy security line at the airport. While tools like TSA PreCheck and Clear can help minimize your wait, your experience also hinges on the pace of fellow travelers. Those in front of you might be delayed if they forget to remove their keys or if they're unfamiliar with TSA PreCheck and don't know they can keep their shoes on.

However, a persistent issue that slows down airport security lines is travelers trying to carry prohibited items onto planes. These items not only get flagged at security but can also lead to police involvement and searches of your belongings. Travelers caught with such items might even face arrest and fines, complicating matters further.

Recently, TPG chatted with a TSA agent at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) about some of the most frequently confiscated items the TSA collects from travelers attempting to bring them through airport security.

Agents commonly encounter travelers attempting to bring large liquid containers and knives, both of which are not allowed.

If you're planning to travel with any of the items listed below, make sure to check them first.

Firearms

This should be obvious, yet many individuals tend to overlook it. TSA Northeast spokesperson Lisa Farbstein often shares instances of confiscated firearms at airports on X, formerly known as Twitter.

While unloaded firearms aren't prohibited on planes, a significant number of the illegal finds shared on the TSA's X account involve guns that shouldn't be there.

During the first quarter of 2023, TSA officers seized 1,508 firearms at airport security checkpoints, averaging 16.8 firearms per day, according to TSA data. Over 93% of these were loaded.

"When passengers attempt to bring firearms to the TSA security checkpoint, their TSA PreCheck® eligibility will be suspended for five years, including those who are currently members. The TSA may also conduct further screenings for these passengers to check for additional threats," the TSA stated in a press release on April 20. "Recently, the TSA raised the maximum civil penalty for firearms violations to $14,950. Passengers found with firearms in carry-on bags at TSA checkpoints may also be subject to local laws, which could lead to citations or arrests."

Please remember that firearms must be unloaded and stored in a locked, hard-sided container, and they must be declared to the airline during check-in. Similarly, ammunition (ranging from individual bullets to full boxes), gun magazines (whether loaded or empty), pepper spray, tasers/stun guns, sparklers, fireworks, and any other flammable items are not allowed in carry-on luggage.

These items can be included in your checked luggage if they are properly packed. Ammunition needs to be securely stored in fiber, wood, or metal boxes, or in packaging designed for carrying small amounts of ammunition.

While toy guns are typically allowed, the TSA advises that they be packed in checked baggage. Items resembling real firearms, such as Nerf guns, are not permitted.

Full-size hygiene items

According to the TSA, liquids over 3.4 ounces are the most frequently confiscated items from carry-on bags.

Remember, liquids, gels, aerosols, and spreadable items larger than 3.4 ounces are prohibited in carry-on luggage per TSA's 3-1-1 liquid rule.

"In essence, if it can be spilled, sprayed, spread, pumped, or poured and exceeds 3.4 ounces, it should not be included in a carry-on bag," Farbstein stated.

This rule allows you to bring liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-sized containers onto the plane, provided they do not exceed 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and can fit into a single 1-quart, resealable bag.

"Food items that are liquid or spreadable, such as apple sauce, jams/jellies/preserves, canned vegetables with liquid, Nutella, and peanut butter, are similar to toiletries," Farbstein mentioned. These items must also comply with the 3-1-1 liquid rule. This regulation also applies to frozen and steamed foods, which are classified as liquids.

Common examples of liquids that are not allowed include drinks (like water bottles, energy drinks, juice, soda, and alcohol), hair gel, aftershave, cologne, perfume, shampoo, conditioner, Vaseline, toothpaste, and sunscreen.

Keep in mind that the TSA allows exceptions for medically necessary liquids, medications, and creams over 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag.

The rule permitting hand sanitizer over 3.4 ounces due to the pandemic has been lifted, so it must now be travel-sized.

Alcohol

You may be surprised to learn that you can actually bring your own alcohol on a flight, albeit with certain restrictions. According to the TSA, beverages containing more than 24% but not exceeding 70% alcohol can be packed in checked luggage; each passenger is limited to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) of alcohol, and it must remain unopened in its original retail packaging. You can also carry miniature bottles of alcohol in your carry-on, but they must fit comfortably in a single quart-size bag.

However, federal regulations prohibit passengers from consuming their own alcohol while onboard — a flight attendant must serve it.

In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration fined several passengers over $1 million for bringing their own alcohol onboard, becoming intoxicated, and disregarding flight attendants' instructions.

Fertilizer

If you're a gardening enthusiast, it's unfortunate to inform you that fertilizer is not permitted in either carry-on or checked luggage due to its flammable nature. However, you can bring plants (and planting seeds) as long as they fit in the overhead bin or under your seat.

Miscellaneous items

Another category of prohibited items includes tools longer than 7 inches, as they could be classified as bludgeoning weapons. Examples are hammers, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, saws, and drills.

Moreover, no knives or blades of any length are permitted, including but not limited to butter knives, hunting knives, credit card knives, keychain knives, Swiss Army knives, tactical knives, and cake knives. This restriction also applies to mini blenders, which cannot pass through security due to their blades.

If you're traveling with a razor, the blade must be removed, except for plastic handle razors, which can be carried as they are. Single-edged blades must be checked and removed from the bag when it goes through security, according to TSA regulations.

Other items, such as torch lighters and pepper spray, are also prohibited from being carried on.

What happens to these confiscated items?

You might be curious about what the TSA does with items after they are confiscated.

For instance, water is discarded, while most other items are collected on a monthly basis in coordination with the airport's state authorities.

Firearms are handed over to the police, and travelers face fines and legal actions in accordance with local laws.

Although many passengers choose to simply leave their confiscated items behind, the TSA does provide an option to ship your items back to you, subject to the U.S. Postal Service and specific shipper requirements of the location.

Most airports have a mailing station located near the metal detectors where you can pay to have your items shipped back to you, so be sure to ask TSA if your items are valuable.

Bottom line

If you're uncertain whether an item is allowed in your carry-on or checked luggage, download the MyTSA app and utilize its "What can I bring?" feature to verify your item.

Travelers can also send inquiries by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872). For a comprehensive list of items permitted by TSA, visit this page.