ATTENTION GUN OWNERS & FUTURE GUN OWNERS: GET CONCEALED CARRY CERTIFIED BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

When packing for a trip, it’s essential to include everything you’ll need while away. With limited space in your suitcase, you may be wondering what’s the best way to pack your everyday carry (EDC) gear?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has some stringent guidelines for what you can or cannot bring with you through their Security Checkpoints at the airport. As a general rule, you should leave anything at home that could be considered dangerous to other passengers. The basic “no-fly” rules are as follows: no knives, no tools (over seven inches), no liquids in excess of a couple of ounces, etc.

The Everyday Carry Packing List (Airline and Travel Safe)

To make your next trip easier to pack for, here are 20 TSA compliant EDC essentials that meet the requirements for airplane safe items:

  1. Wallet
  2. Keys
  3. Phone
  4. Headphones
  5. Sunglasses
  6. Sunscreen (travel size)
  7. Hat
  8. Umbrella
  9. Jacket
  10. Toothbrush
  11. Toothpaste (travel size)
  12. Deodorant
  13. Shampoo (travel size)
  14. Soap
  15. Towel
  16. Lip balm
  17. Chapstick
  18. Nail clippers
  19. Tweezers
  20. Razor (disposable)
Woman goes through airport security with her approved bag of EDC toiletries.
When packing any kind of liquids or gels, it is important to ensure that they are 3oz or less to remain TSA-compliant.

Although these items are approved for travel, before packing your bags, arriving at the airport, and going through the security checkpoint, we suggest making sure you get clarity on what can fly and what is prohibited. Prior to any flight, the best practice is to check the “What Can I Bring?” page on the TSA website to ensure you meet the requirements.

You don’t want to unintentionally bring questionable items and have them confiscated. Review the following common questions and guidelines from the TSA website to avoid any issues.

Can I travel with knives?

  • Carry on bags: No
  • Checked bags: Yes

Plastic or round-bladed butter knives are not allowed. Be mindful of how you pack these items. Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

Can I bring my multi-tool?

  • Carry on bags: Yes (special instructions)
  • Checked bags: Yes

In general, you are prohibited from traveling with sharp objects in your carry-on bags. Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with knives of any length are not permitted. Please pack these items in your checked bags. Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with scissors that are less than 4 inches may be placed in carry-on bags.

Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

Some types of EDC knives are acceptable to carry in checked bags, others are not.
When it comes to knives and multi-tools, most items will need to go in your checked bag. Rounded butter knives and plastic knives are prohibited.

Can I fly with my pocket knife?

  • Carry on bags: No
  • Checked bags: Yes

In general, you are prohibited from traveling with sharp objects in your carry-on baggage; pack these items carefully in your checked baggage.

Can I bring my Swiss Army knife?

  • Carry on bags: No
  • Checked bags: Yes

Except for plastic or round-bladed butter knives. All sharp objects that are packed in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

Can I pack pepper spray?

  • Carry on bags: No
  • Checked bags: Yes

One 4 fl. oz. (118ml) container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage, provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. Self-defense sprays containing more than 2 percent mass of tear gas (CS or CN) are prohibited in checked baggage.

For more information, visit faa.gov.

Additionally, we recommend checking with your airline as some airlines may not allow this item in checked bags.

Woman carries her EDC pepper spray on a keychain.
Pepper spray and other self-defense sprays ARE allowed in checked bags, but not in carry ons.

Can I travel with self-defense spray?

  • Carry on bags: No
  • Checked bags: Yes

One 4 fl. oz. (118ml) container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage, provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. Self-defense sprays containing more than 2 percent mass of tear gas (CS or CN) are prohibited fin checked baggage.

For more information, visit faa.gov.

Additionally, we recommend checking with your airline as some airlines may not allow this item in checked bags.

Can I bring brass knuckles?

  • Carry on bags: No
  • Checked bags: Yes
Brass knuckles and stun guns may be part of EDC, but they must be stored properly.
Brass knuckles and stun guns ARE allowed, but only in checked bags with special provisions taken.

Can I travel with stun guns/shocking devices?

  • Carry on bags: No
  • Checked bags: Yes (special instructions)

Tasers, Stun Guns, and Electro-Shock Weapons (Conducted Electrical Weapons) must be transported in a manner that renders the device inoperable from accidental discharge. Some of these devices are manufactured with lithium batteries which also have special instructions for travel. For more information, see the FAA regulations on batteries.

Be on the Safe Side: Always Double-Check Guidelines Prior to Traveling!

A person goes through the security screening with their bag of approved EDC.
It is always best practice to check with TSA guidelines prior to packing your bag, especially if it contains EDC items you are unsure about.

It is possible to prepare your EDC kit in a way that is TSA compliant. However, regulations are not static and change often. You may have heard the saying “know before you go;” this is an appropriate time to apply it. As a best practice, it’s always wise to check out the TSA guidelines at least a week before traveling.

TSA agents have the authority to confiscate items at their discretion. If you are questioning your ability to clear something through a security screening, it’s best to ask for clarity.

If you still have questions or concerns, you can find more information regarding TSA travel regulations regarding specific EDC items on the TSA’s website. The FAQ section should answer most of your questions.

If you find something is not covered there, the TSA also has a very robust Customer Support communications department. You can contact them via phone, email, Twitter, Facebook Messenger, or Apple Messages. To make it easy to get your questions answered, they even have live chat available via the channels previously mentioned. The TSA takes pride in its quick response time, so if you have questions, go ahead and reach out to ensure that you are in compliance.

To learn more about everyday carry, as well as the rules and regulations surrounding it, find a Concealed Coalition class near you. In the meantime, safe travels!

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