Revealed: The 37 items you can’t bring in your hand luggage

Get familiar with what can’t come in the cabin this summer

May 23, 2023 - 21:01

0 6

Revealed: The 37 items you can’t bring in your hand luggage

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get Simon Calder’s Travel email

Regular travellers are well-seasoned in the art of cramming what they can into a carry-on. While the size allowance of the bags you can take into the cabin is varies between airlines, the tips and tricks found on social media to utilise space in your hand luggage have helped make a three- to five-day stay (almost) stress-free.

As summer nears and the price of flights soar, no one is looking to splash any extra cash on checked baggage, but stricter rules apply to hand luggage contents – and it’s easy to get caught out.

Liquids, including drinks, cosmetics and toiletries, have been the most flagged carry-on contraband for years, with hold luggage a must to transport large shower gels, toothpaste and aerosols on holiday. To have liquids to hand on board, they must be in containers of no more than 100ml, and all of the containers must then be together in one clear and resealable plastic bag.

Exemptions to the 100ml rule include essential medicines, dietary requirements, baby milk and sealed liquids bought in duty-free. Passengers using mobility aids should inform airlines before travelling of the type of batteries fitted, and how the device can be protected against inadvertent operation while on board to avoid lithium battery restrictions.

In 2019 Boris Johnson vowed the rules would be eased at major UK airports by 1 December 2022, allowing larger quantities and eliminating the need to have liquids separately scanned. Rishi Sunak’s government extended that deadline to June 2024. But some airports have now deployed the necessary technology and are offering passengers light-touch security.

For the smoothest sailing through security, read this list to see what won’t fly when boarding with hand luggage.

Read more on UK travel:

Here are all the restricted items banned from hand luggage on departures out of the UK:

Acids and alkalis (for example, spillable ‘wet’ batteries)AerosolsBiological hazards (for example, infected blood, bacteria, viruses)Camping stoves with gas or flammable liquid attachedCatapultsCorkscrewsCorrosives or bleaching agents (including chlorine)CrossbowsDartsEnginesExplosives including detonators and fusesFire extinguishersFireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics Flammable paintsGolf clubsGuns and firearms including replicasHarpoons or spear gunsHeavy bats and sticks including baseball, softball and cricket batsLarge scissorsLighter fuel (passengers are allowed to carry one disposable lighter on board in a clear plastic bag)Liquids over 100ml (exemptions apply)Liquid oxygenMartial arts equipment (including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and nunchuks)Materials that could spontaneously combust Mercury filled items including thermometersNon-safety matchesOxidisers and organic peroxides, including bleach and car body repair kitsParty poppersPoisons or toxic substances (for example, rat poison)Print and toner cartridges over 500gRadioactive materials (including medicinal or commercial isotopes)Self defence or disabling sprays (for example, mace or pepper spray)Sharp objects including knives“Smart luggage”, where lithium power batteries cannot be removedVehicle batteries and fuel systemsWalking or hiking polesWork tools , such as Stanley knives, hammers and nail guns

Read more on our best hotels in Europe