June 21, 2017

Traveling to another country can be an amazing experience, but there may be some things that could easily turn the trip of your dreams into your worst nightmare, and one of those are airports. From immigration, to security and boarding, a lot is in the way of you boarding that plane – not to mention the new electronics ban. *Sigh*

To help reduce the hurdle, read on for a guide on whether you’re packing the right (non-illegal) things:

Absolutely banned

1. Explosives and Flammable Items

   This one is kind of a no-brainer. Explosives – like gunpowder, fireworks, flares, etc – and flammable items that could set the plane on fire or explode mid air are completely banned from being brought aboard an airplane. Although fireworks are nice to see, it’s better to see them light up the sky from afar than right beside you when you fly, right?

2. Poisons

   Arsenic, cyanide, weed killers, pesticides, insecticides and rodent poisons are all no-nos too. But you knew that already.

3. Infectious and Radioactive Materials

   Infectious materials – like medical laboratory specimens, viral organisms, or bacterial cultures – and radioactive ones that could endanger the health and safety of others are absolutely prohibited. There are, however, some radioactive materials that are exempted from this rule. So as long as they follow the regulations and are absolutely imperative for your health, you should be good.

4. Magnetic Materials

   Strong magnets such as (some) loudspeakers and laboratory equipment can interfere with the aircraft’s magnetic compass. So you’re better-off avoiding getting your pilots and their compasses confused, unless you don’t mind landing in an uninhabited island!

5. Marijuana (Cannabis)

   Though marijuana is considered a medicinal plant by some countries or states, it is an illegal drug elsewhere. Yes, make sure you don’t forget this the next time you’re going home from Amsterdam!

   

Restricted to checked-in luggage

1. Stick or club type sporting goods

   If you’re the sporty type and like to bring your equipment along on flights, worry not for these can be carried together with your luggage.

2. Firearms (including firearm replicas and firearm parts) and ammunition

   Though firearms are not allowed in the cabin, you can still check them inside your baggage, so long as you follow the basic rules. Failure to do so may result in a fine or even in you getting arrested.

3. Knives, cutting tools, and power tools

   Like clubs, any item that can be used as a weapon or cause any harm (this includes sharp objects like knives and cutters), is only allowed if packed inside the baggage and not brought in the cabin.

   

Allowed in carry-ons

Aside from your valuables – like cash and jewelry – and documents (passport, ticket, visa, etc) here are some of the things that are safe and sound in your carry-on

1. Non-rechargeable batteries

2. Spare rechargeable batteries (there are additional restrictions based on the capacity of the battery)

3. Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices (unpowered)

4. Small hand tools (less than seven inches or 18 cm in length) that don’t have sharp cutting edges

5. Matches (other than strike anywhere matches) and common cigarette lighters

6. Scissors with a cutting edge less than four inches (10 cm)

Packing may seem like a hassle, but getting stuck with security and missing your flight is a bigger pain in the you-know-where. And then now, with the new electronics ban, some are even afraid to keep their laptops in their luggage. If you’re one of those, or if you’re simply the kind that packs extremely cleverly, at least you can carry along an item or two and turn that extra space into cash with AirWayBill! Download the app now and earn some extra money on your next trip!

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