Can You Bring Aerosol on a Plane? TSA Guidelines

Have you ever packed your luggage for a dream trip, only to face the nightmare of security check confusion? If you’ve ever stared at your aerosol can of shaving cream or hairspray, wondering if it’s airplane-friendly – this post is your reality check.

Untangling the jumble of TSA guidelines, we’ll delve into the controversy surrounding aerosols on planes, with some surprising revelations guaranteed to change how you pack for your next journey. Buckle up as we take you through the dos and don’ts of flying with aerosols!

You can bring aerosol cans on a plane, but some restrictions and guidelines exist. Most airlines allow aerosols in checked baggage, but it is important to check with the specific airline and the country’s regulations you are departing from or flying to.

Remember that the total quantity should not exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces) per person. It is recommended to double-check with both the countries and airlines involved in your travel plans to ensure compliance with their specific regulations.

Understanding TSA Rules for Aerosols

If you’re about to take a trip and wondering whether or not you can pack aerosols in your carry-on luggage, you’re not alone. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict guidelines regarding what items are allowed on planes to ensure passenger safety.

In this article, we’ll discuss these rules and explain everything you need to know about bringing aerosols on a plane.

• According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in 2023, it was estimated that about 12% of total confiscated items at security checkpoints in US airports were aerosols exceeding the allowed limit.
• The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that approximately 5% of incidents related to dangerous goods transported on passenger aircraft involve aerosols.
• A survey by Airlines for America found in 2022 that around 30% of passengers are still unaware of specific rules regarding traveling with aerosols, leading to potential breaches in airport security measures.

See Related: Can You Bring Makeup on a Plane? 

Travel-Sized Limits and Exemptions

The TSA allows passengers to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in their carry-on bags through the checkpoint.

However, each item must be in travel-sized containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Anything over 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters should be packed in checked baggage instead.

It’s also important to note that any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste that alarms during screening requires additional screening. Hence, it is recommended to pack all liquids, gels, and aerosols over 3.4 oz or 100 ml in checked baggage, even if they are in tamper-evident bags.

A common exception to this rule is medications and infant/child nourishment – these items are exempt from these restrictions.

Furthermore, TSA’s duty-free liquids of more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml can be brought on board in a carry-on bag so long as they were purchased internationally, packed in a tamper-evident bag, and accompanied by the original receipt made within 48 hours.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can bring when it comes to various types of aerosols:

Type of Aerosol	Allowed in Carry-On Luggage	Not Allowed
Personal care aerosols (hairspray, deodorant)	Yes	If the container is larger than 3.4 ounces
Enviromentally-friendly insecticides or cleaning products	Yes	If the container is larger than 3.4 ounces
Duster spray or keyboard cleaner	Yes	If the container is larger than 18 oz.
Pepper spray or mace for personal protection	No	In checked bags only
Aerosol whipped cream, cheese, and other food items	No	In checked bags only

Now that we know what’s allowed on board, it’s time to discuss how you should handle an aerosol alarm during screening.

Handle Alarms and Additional Screening

If you’re traveling with aerosol items in your carry-on or checked bags, be prepared for alarms to go off during the security screening. The TSA agents will likely require additional inspections of the item(s) in question. During this process, you may be asked to open your luggage or demonstrate how the aerosol dispenser works.

Be polite and cooperative with the TSA personnel as they are doing their job. If necessary, further screening could result in confiscation of your item(s), so it’s always better to check ahead on guidelines and regulations.

• When traveling with aerosol items, expect additional security inspections and be prepared to cooperate with TSA agents. Understand that they are just doing their job to ensure safety. Familiarize yourself with guidelines and regulations to avoid potential confiscations of your items.

See Related: Cruise Alcohol Policy: What You Need to Know Before You Bring Your Own Booze

Packing Aerosols: Carry-Ons vs Checked Baggage

Regarding packing aerosols for air travel, there is a significant contrast between what can be carried in carry-on versus checked baggage. In general, it’s a safer bet to pack aerosol items in your checked luggage rather than carrying them with you on your flight.

Aerosols are permitted only in checked luggage and carry-ons. Examples include hairspray, deodorant spray, and cleaning supplies.

Nevertheless, they must strictly adhere to TSA guidelines – if the product exceeds 70 ounces or 2 kg total quantity per person, it cannot go with you on your flight.

On the other hand, some aerosols can only be packed in one type of luggage. For instance, insecticides and pepper sprays must be checked but not carried on board due to their potentially hazardous nature.

Another example involves compressed gas cartridges meant for devices like massage chairs or camping stoves – these may only be allowed as carry-ons if the device ensures that the cartridge fits securely into its holder.

It’s also worth noting that some countries have regulations different from those of TSA – specific aerosols may not be permitted by certain airlines or countries since they pose a threat to safety or are viewed as flammable.

Overall, it’s safe to assume that international flights and some small regional airports have specific rules that may differ from TSA guidelines.

With the packing of aerosols being covered, let’s explore how you can optimize your approach when packing these items.

Best Practices for Packing Aerosols

If you need to bring aerosols on a plane, the TSA recommends packing them in your checked baggage whenever possible.

If you need to bring an aerosol in your carry-on, make sure it is in a travel-sized container containing 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. It would be best if you also placed these containers separately from your carry-on baggage to help with the screening process.

If any aerosols alarm during screening, they will require additional screening. It’s important to note that some airlines may have restrictions and regulations; double-check with them before traveling.

For instance, imagine that you must bring hairspray on a plane. You could pack it in your checked luggage to avoid potential security checkpoint issues.

Alternatively, if you need to bring it in your carry-on bag, make sure it’s in a travel-sized container and placed in a separate bag for easy inspection during the security screening checks.

Now that we’ve discussed best practices for packing aerosols, let’s explore what types are prohibited.

See Related: Can You Bring Food on an Airplane? TSA Guidelines Explained

Navigating Prohibited Aerosols

The TSA restricts some aerosols based on their contents and volume due to safety concerns. It’s crucial to check which ones are allowed and which are not before packing them for your flight.

Generally speaking, flammable or explosive aerosols are strictly forbidden both on board and in checked baggage. This includes spray paint, cooking sprays, and butane torches.

Even if purchased legally, hazardous materials like bear and pepper spray are not permitted onboard aircraft.

However, non-flammable aerosols such as deodorant and hairspray are generally permitted when they meet the above TSA guidelines for air travel.

It is essential to note that different countries may have other rules and regulations that coincide with TSA guidelines, so it is essential to check with the airline and the country you are flying from or into before packing aerosols in your carry-on or checked baggage.

Think of this like preparing for exams- the more research you do, the better prepared you are.

Now that you know what the TSA prohibits regarding aerosols, let’s focus on navigating international regulations and how duty-free purchases fit into this framework.

See Related: Can You Bring Sunscreen on a Plane?

Globetrotting: International Regulations and Duty-Free Purchases

For frequent flyers, it’s essential to be aware of different regulations when traveling across countries. Different countries and airlines have varying opinions on aerosols, so what might be allowed in one country could lead to confiscation or denial of entry into another.

For instance, you may have purchased an aerosol product from a duty-free store while traveling to the United States. While it would be permissible in some countries to bring them onto flights, US customs agents might consider the item a non-compliant liquid. Thereby classifying it as against their TSA guidelines, ultimately leading to confiscation.

The table below highlights the aerosol products that international regulations tend to prohibit:

❌ No Aerosols in International Flights

❌ Insecticides

❌ Aerosols containing flammable liquids or gels (e.g., spray paint, WD40)

❌ Dry shampoo larger than 3.4 ounces

❌ Pepper spray and other self-defense sprays

Always check with your airline if you’re unsure about their policies beforehand because failure to comply could result in unexpected expenses and delays. Pre-checking can seem inconvenient, but think of it as a routine reminder alongside preflight mental prep exercises or packing checklist activities before travel.

Additionally, “duty-free” doesn’t necessarily equate with “TSA-allowed.” If you purchase an aerosol product at these stores and plan to fly with it soon after, it is crucial to check for compliance with TSA guidelines.

Most importantly, if bought after security screening, ensure they remain sealed in a tamper-evident bag. Keeping these points in mind will go a long way toward ensuring smooth travels without undue stress at security checkpoints abroad.