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TSA Requirements for Traveling with Special Items

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has specific guidelines to follow when traveling with special items. These items requiring special handling include:

Alcohol
Batteries
Camping, hunting, and fishing equipment
Deceased remains
Money, precious metals or valuable jewelry
Firearms
Food
Knitting, needlepoint and sewing needles
Lighters and matches
Medicine
Musical instruments
Pets and service animals
Photographic equipment and film
Scuba equipment
Sports equipment

It’s also noted that your airline and destination country may have additional requirements. Especially large items may also have additional restrictions, as well. It’s always best to determine what the rules are for special items before you head to the airport. Check with the TSA, your airline, and your destination country if you’re traveling internationally, before you leave.

Know How to Handle Prohibitted Items When Flying

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has a handy page on its site that looks at all of the items that it prohibits in some way, and details whether they can be packed in your carry-on or checked luggage. Its explanation includes sharp items, sporting goods, guns, tools, flammable materials, and many other types of items.

It’s definitely a good idea to make sure that you have any questionable items where they’re supposed to be before you try to go through security. Who wants to deal with getting in trouble because of something in their carry-on, when you could have just packed it in your checked bag, had you known? A mistake in what you pack where could lead to embarrassment and a missed flight, or real trouble in the worst case. Better to be informed.