Can I Bring These On A Plane? Scissors, Razor, Tweezers, Makeup & Food

Are you wondering if you can bring these item on a plane? Just like scissors, razor, needle, food, makeup and wet wipes? While some seem to be fine with me, my personal experience with airport security has made me check and recheck the items which I will be placing in my Carry on and Checked baggage.

The quick answer is YES, you can bring these small items on a plane. While all of these will be safe and secured inside your Checked baggage, sometimes they are so essential that they need to be at arm’s length. I have made another article about carry on travel packing list, I encourage that you read it.

Keep in mind, though, that there are certain requirements for some items in order for them to be allowed on your carry on suitcase. At the end of the day, even if your research tells you that you can bring the item on a plane, airport security has the final say in the event that it gets inspected.

Airlines, too, can impose their own regulations when it comes to bringing certain items on a plane. Stay informed and don’t be afraid to ask them directly for sure answers. I’ve got the basic answers to your questions about where to place and how to pack these pointy items including the most notorious of them all: liquids!

Can you bring scissors on a plane?

Yes, you can bring scissors on a plane. The real question is this: Does it go to Carry on or Checked baggage? Let’s dig further into that. There’s a misconception that scissors are a no-no when travelling, but truthfully speaking, having scissors when you travel proves to be handy, especially when opening packages and dealing with tags.

I can’t blame the authorities for being strict about scissors. It can be obviously used as a weapon and inflict harm. 

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s answer to this question is the best guide to follow: For carry-on baggage, scissors that measure less than 4 inches from the pivot point are allowed. If the scissors are 4 inches and above, they must be in Checked baggage.

So yes, you can bring…

• Regular cutting scissors
• Kitchen scissors
• Craft scissors
• Kid-friendly scissors
• Folding scissors
• Hair scissors
• Electric scissors
• Emergency shears

…provided they meet the requirements stated above.

When I bring scissors on a plane, I make sure to place them in a scissors bag or toolkit that ensures safety and protection. You can simply wrap it with a cloth for an extra shield. The last thing you would like to happen is the officer (or you) getting poked by this sharp object upon inspection.

Can you bring a razor on a plane?

Razors are essential both to men and women when travelling. It is one of those grooming tools which sometimes are not part of the amenities provided for by your accommodation. I for one bring my choice of razor whenever I travel!

The rule about bringing razors on an airplane is pretty straightforward. Here is a more detailed list of the restrictions when it comes to this item:

• Safety razors – Yes, you can place safety razors on your Carry on, but the blades have to go to your Checked baggage. Make sure to disassemble the blades prior to your flight.
• Straight razors – Yes, you can bring straight razors on a plane provided that you put it in your Checked baggage. You cannot place straight razors on your Carry on.
• Disposable razors – Yes, you can place disposable razors on your Carry on. This goes for both types – the completely disposable one and the type where the cartridge can be replaced. Feel free to place the extra cartridges on your Carry on, too.
• Electric razors – Yes, you can bring electric razors. It is allowed both in your Carry on and Checked baggage. 

Can I bring sewing needles on a plane?

Sewing needles are not just for tailors, you know! I never know when I’ll have a clothing emergency while travelling, so a sewing kit is essential for me to bring.  While threads are obviously harmless, needles are another thing. It can truly harm an individual, intended or not. 

There is no strict rule when it comes to bringing sewing needles on a plane. You can place them inside your Carry on or choose to leave them inside your Checked baggage.

However, I would recommend that you keep sewing needles on your Checked baggage. At the end of the day, when your Carry on is being checked, it will still be the prerogative of the officer if he or she would let any needlepoint tools stay. 

This recommendation goes for sewing, knitting, crocheting and felting needles. Medical needles are another thing. 

When bringing sewing needles on a plane, it is best to place them in a needle case so they remain intact. If you still have its original case, that would be great. A small solid container works, too. 

Can you take tweezers on a plane?

Tweezers – you’ll find them in grooming kits of men and women alike. I personally use it to maintain brows and groom unwanted hair away, among many others. Tweezers are not generally sharp, but it still is pointy and can be used to poke, pick and scratch. 

Can you bring them on a plane? The answer is yes. You can place your tweezers in your Carry on or Checked baggage – both are fine. 

If you are after handiness and you’d want it together with your travel essentials, then go ahead and place it in your Carry on. Just remember that upon inspection, depending on its material the tweezers can still be detected as something an officer should take a closer look at.

If you think you will not need it until you arrive at your destination and unpack your luggage, it might be better to just place it in your Checked baggage. When bringing tweezers on a plane, keep them in the pouch where it was originally housed, or place them in a small solid container for safety purposes. 

Can I bring an umbrella on a plane?

Umbrellas prove to be handy on both rainy and sunny days. When I travel, an umbrella is one of those travel essentials that I would want to have in my Carry on baggage. Is it allowed, though?

Generally, yes. An umbrella is allowed to be in your Carry on, however, the officer will have the final say whether it passes the check or not. An umbrella has pointy parts that might just not pass the screening.

If you are bringing an umbrella, just place it in your Checked baggage. I myself have experienced having to say goodbye to my favourite small umbrella because I placed it in my Carry on and the officer found some of its points to be sharp.

It must be noted that I am talking about foldable umbrellas. Cane umbrellas are another thing; airlines have different restrictions regarding this type.

Can I bring liquids on a plane?

If the umbrella is longer than 21 to 24 inches, many airlines require it to be declared as separate Checked baggage at an additional charge. Just be wise and skip the long umbrella while travelling. 

Liquids – this is probably the trickiest item to discern whether allowed or not. I cannot count just how many times my Carry on was double-checked because something was seen on the scanner. Lo and behold a liquid item!

The definition of a liquid item when it comes to travelling goes far beyond what a dictionary tells us about liquids. Anything you can spill, spray, pour, pump or spread is treated as a liquid by airport security.

Here’s a list of some of our travel items which we might not be aware are considered liquid:

• Makeup in gel form
• Mascara
• Toiletries in gel form
• Jams and spreads
• Thawed frozen product
• Glow sticks

The general rule when travelling with liquids is this: 3-1-1 (placing the liquid in a 3.4 oz or less-sized liquid container, all of them in 1 quart-size bag, with only 1 bag per passenger.) 

As a guide for you and me, I have come up with a simple table that can act as a guide when it comes to travelling with liquids in tow:

TYPE OF LIQUID	CARRY ON BAGGAGE	CHECKED BAGGAGE	REMINDER
Alcoholic Beverage	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	Double check with your airline for specific policies
Wet Wipes	Yes	Yes
Bottled Water	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Chocolate	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	It will help to organize food items inside Carry on baggage
Coffee drink	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	It will help to organize food items inside Carry on baggage
Cologne	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Conditioner	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Contact Lens Solution	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	Larger amount may be allowed if medically needed
Cream	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Deodorant	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Detergent	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
E-liquids	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	E-cigarettes are only allowed in Carry on with restrictions
Flammable Liquid	No	No
Glow Sticks	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	Place in a single, quart-size bag together with other liquids
Honey	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	It will help to organize food items inside Carry on baggage
Ice Cream	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	It will help to organize food items inside Carry on baggage
Infant / Child Nourishment	Yes – exempted	Yes – exempted
Liquid Bleach	No	No
Makeup in liquid form	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Medication	Yes – exempted	Yes – exempted
Nail polish	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Oils	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Perfume	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	Protect from accidental release
Sauces	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes	It will help to organize food items inside Carry on baggage
Shampoo	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes
Soap	Yes – less than or equal to 3.4 oz / 100 ml	Yes

The TSA has active social media accounts (and an app to boot!) and it won’t hurt to ask prior to your flight date. Snap a photo of the liquid item in question if you are having doubts and go straight to the best authority to answer your query.

Can I bring nail clippers on a plane?

Nail clippers in your grooming kit are allowed inside your Carry on baggage. The same goes for your other nail tools such as nail files, nail trimming scissors and cuticle cutters. 

Nail clippers and the likes are safer inside your Checked baggage if you ask me. When I bring them during trips, I make sure to secure them with an extra layer of protective cloth. In the event that I or the security will have to inspect my bags, there will be no (if less) chance that an accident will happen.

When can they not allow your nail clipper to be brought on a plane in your Carry on? If the blades are over six centimetres in length (measured at the pivot point), they will have to ask you to place them inside your Checked baggage. 

Most of our nail clippers are small in size, so I am quite sure this will not be an issue.

I hope these helped you to plan and know what to bring on your next adventure.