In the previous article, Syfa discussed the list of prohibited and restricted items on airplane cabin baggage. Most of the items can be put in the checked baggage, the registered baggage that passengers hand over to the officers when checking in at the airport.
However, there are some strictly prohibited items to take on checked baggage with no special instructions at all. So, to avoid unnecessary inconvenience before and after the flight, I will also share what items are strictly forbidden to take on the checked baggage. Remember that bringing these items might result in civil or criminal penalties for passengers.
A power bank is one of the essentials that some travelers often carry for travel. However, the carriage of a power bank is subject to local or even cross-country regulations. When taking an airplane, you can't put the power bank into checked baggage. One is only allowed to bring it to the cabin.
There's a limit to a power bank's capacity if you plan to take it with you. It should be below 160 Wh. If it's over 160 Wh, then it's not permitted. Most of the power banks I always find sometimes show a capacity of mAh, so you should bring a power bank below 30,000 mAh because it won't exceed 160 Wh.
The rules regarding whether or not passengers can take lighters and matches into the aircraft cabin vary by some airlines. But for checked baggage, almost all of them are the same. All airlines prohibit passengers from bringing lighters, matches, or any heating element to checked baggage.
So passengers can only bring those items into the aircraft cabin if the security officers allow them to. However, to avoid any inconvenience, I suggest you not take them.
The next thing that shouldn't be put in the checked baggage is Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices. Electronic smoking devices are allowed only in carry-on baggage with special instructions. But you can't use it on the plane, of course.
Hazardous materials (a.k.a. "hazmat" and "dangerous goods"), such as fabric softener and disinfectant for cleaning floors, are used every day at home or work. They might seem harmless; however, when transported by air they can be very dangerous.
Vibration, static electricity, and changes in temperature and pressure can cause objects to leak, produce toxic fumes, cause fires and even explode.
These materials include, but are not limited to, laundry bleaching liquid and powder, pesticides, arsenic, cyanide, chlorine, pepper spray, tear gas, formalin, mercury, butane, propane, and others.
Alcoholic beverages are allowed in checked baggage, as long as the alcohol content is below 70%. Any alcohol with an ABV over 70% (or 140 proof) is not allowed on board, either into the cabin or checked baggage.
Apart from being prohibited from entering the aircraft cabin, flammable items are also not allowed in checked baggage. The items include, but are not limited to, fireworks, firecrackers, gunpowder, paint, paint thinner, charcoal, coal, ethanol, and others.
Ready-to-eat meals (MREs) or meals with a Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) are also strictly prohibited. These foods come in the form of self-heating food packaging. So, the meals can heat themselves without the need for fire, electricity, or hot water.
Butane gas canisters used for portable stoves are also not allowed in checked baggage or aircraft cabins. So it's better to buy the portable gas at your destination.
If you are a plant lover, you might have to leave your plants behind if you travel by plane. Passengers are banned from bringing living flowers or plants, either into the cabin or checked baggage.
For domestic flights, it's usually no problem to bring food or drinks. However, for international flights, there are some foods and beverages not permitted to take, depending on the regulations of the country passengers will visit.
They include processed foods derived from animals, such as meat, milk, yogurt, and others. Strong-smelling foods such as durian and jackfruit are also usually banned from entering the aircraft.
So that's the list of items that are usually not allowed to be brought into the aircraft. Make sure to always read the regulations of the airport, airline, and your destination country as each has different rules and policies.
Never bring prohibited items into checked baggage as the officers will not hesitate to dispose them. This is to keep us and all other passengers safe.
Hopefully this article is useful, especially if you are about to board a plane for the first time. Please read the tutorial on boarding a plane for first timers so that you don't get confused when preparing yourself until you arrive at the airport.
