Dangerous goods in luggage: what you cannot pack
The short answer
Some items are never allowed, others only in the cabin, and a few only with airline approval. This table summarises what the FAA, EASA, TSA and the UK CAA say for the common ones, with a link to the full answer.
| Item | The rule in short |
|---|---|
| Spare lithium batteries and power banks | Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh each; 101-160 Wh needs airline approval, max two; over 160 Wh forbidden (FAA). EASA: max two spare batteries per person in total. |
| E-cigarettes and vapes | Carry-on only (FAA and EASA). |
| Lighters | One per person; torch lighters forbidden. |
| Matches | One book of safety matches; strike-anywhere forbidden (FAA). |
| Aerosols | Flammable ones forbidden; non-flammable within 0.5 kg or 500 ml each and 2 kg or 2 L in total. |
| Camping stoves and fuel | Stove only if empty and vapour-free; fuel forbidden. |
| Fireworks and flares | Forbidden in all bags. |
| Self-inflating life jackets | Max two devices, with airline approval. |
| Dry ice | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) per package and per passenger, with airline approval. |
| Magnets | Field no more than 0.00525 gauss at 4.5 m (15 ft). |
| Hammers and multi-tools | Hammer: checked only. Multi-tool with a knife: checked only. |
| Hoverboards | TSA: check with airline. EASA: not allowed in cabin or hold. |
| Smart luggage with a battery | EASA: battery limit of 0.3 g lithium or 2.7 Wh, otherwise cabin or remove it. FAA: carry-on unless the battery can be removed. |
| Firearms and ammunition | See our firearms page. |
| Knives and scissors | See our knives and scissors pages. |
Sources: FAA PackSafe, EASA: dangerous goods when flying, UK CAA: safety advice on what to pack, TSA: what can I bring. Read 7 November 2026. We have not yet read official pages for compressed gas cylinders and CO2 cartridges, pepper spray, oxygen, fire extinguishers, mercury and bleach, so we do not state rules for those. If an item is not listed, ask your airline.
Frequently asked questions
Which dangerous goods can I never bring?
Fireworks and flares are forbidden in all bags, as is camp stove fuel and other flammable fuel. Spare lithium batteries over 160 Wh are forbidden.
Where do spare batteries go?
The FAA says spare lithium batteries and power banks go in carry-on baggage only. EASA says the same and limits you to two spare batteries per person in total.
Do I need airline approval for anything?
Yes for spare batteries of 101-160 Wh, self-inflating life jackets and dry ice, according to the FAA.