TSA Regulations for Carry-On Luggage

Newark Airport parking

First of all, carry-on luggage is the luggage that you bring on the plane with you and store either under your seat or in an overhead compartment. The accepted size varies by airline, but the average is usually 45 inches (height, length, and width combined).

At our Newark Airport parking facility, we know that one of the hardest parts of taking a vacation is knowing what to pack – and it gets especially difficult when there are items you can and can’t bring in your carry-on luggage. Here are the rules from the Transportation Security Administration:

Allowed in Carry-On Luggage

Common items like clothing, towels, toiletries (like a hairbrush, toothbrush, etc.) shoes, and accessories (like jewelry or hair clips).

Medications, as long as you have your prescription with you. You should also try to keep the medication in its original packaging.

Liquids, but only if each is in a 3-ounce (or smaller) container. All containers must be placed in a large zip-loc plastic bag and kept separate from the other things in your carry-on luggage. This is so the TSA can easily check them.

Baby food such as solid food, breast milk, or formula, can be brought in quantities larger than 3 ounces as long as the quantity is considered “reasonable” and you let security know that you’re traveling with them.

Not Allowed in Carry-On Luggage

Tools, such as hammers, wrenches, crow bars, nails, axes, hatchets, screws, saws, screwdrivers, drills, etc.

Sharp objects, such as knives, box cutters, razors (both disposable razors and razor tools), scissors, ice picks, swords, etc.

Martial arts items, such as night sticks, brass knuckles, throwing stars, nunchucks, billy clubs, kamas, etc.

Sporting goods, such as lacrosse sticks, baseball bats, pool cues, ski poles, hockey sticks, ice skates (check with your airline), golf clubs, bows, etc.

Guns or firearms, including BB guns, ammunition, pellet guns, compressed air guns, gun powder, flares, replicas, and flare guns.

Not Allowed in Any Luggage

There are some items that you’re not allowed to travel with at all. These include flammable items and chemicals, so avoid bringing fuels, lighter fluid, gasoline, paint thinner, flammable paints, liquid bleach, batteries, tear gas, chlorine, spray paint, etc.