When it comes to traveling by international aviation, packing your suitcase properly is crucial, especially when considering the long list of items that are prohibited from being carried on board. Here is a detailed rundown of what you must not put in your suitcase to ensure a smooth and safe journey.
I. Dangerous Goods
1.Explosives:
Imagine the chaos that could ensue if explosives were to be in your suitcase during a flight. Items like TNT, detonators, as well as common fireworks and firecrackers, are all strictly prohibited. While it might seem obvious that large amounts of industrial explosives would never be packed casually, people sometimes forget that even those small firecrackers from a holiday celebration can pose a significant threat. In the confined and pressurized environment of an aircraft cabin, any explosion from these items could shatter the structural integrity of the plane and endanger the lives of every passenger and crew member. So, before zipping up your suitcase, double-check that there are no remnants of any explosive items left from a previous event or purchase.
2.Flammables:
Liquids: Gasoline, kerosene, diesel, alcohol with a high concentration (exceeding 70%), paint, and turpentine are among the flammable liquids that have no place in your travel suitcase. These substances can easily leak, especially if the suitcase is jostled during handling or transportation. Once leaked, the fumes can mix with the air in the plane, and a single spark from an electrical source or even static electricity could set off a dangerous fire or a full-blown explosion. Always make sure your toiletry bottles or any other liquid containers in your suitcase do not contain such prohibited flammable substances.
Solids: Self-igniting solids like red phosphorus and white phosphorus are extremely dangerous. Additionally, common items like matches and lighters (including butane lighters and lighter fuel containers) are also off-limits. You might be used to carrying a lighter in your pocket daily, but when it comes to air travel, it must stay at home. Matches can ignite accidentally due to friction, and lighters can malfunction or be accidentally activated, creating a potential fire hazard inside the plane’s cabin or cargo hold where your suitcase is stored.
3.Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides:
Substances such as hydrogen peroxide solution (peroxide), potassium permanganate, and various organic peroxides like methyl ethyl ketone peroxide are not allowed in your suitcase. These chemicals can react violently when combined with other substances or exposed to certain conditions. In the airtight environment of an aircraft, such reactions could quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation, potentially causing fires or explosions that would be extremely difficult to control.
II. Weapons
1.Firearms and Ammunition:
Whether it’s a handgun, rifle, submachine gun, or machine gun, firearms of any kind, along with their corresponding ammunitions like bullets, shells, and grenades, are absolutely prohibited from being packed in your suitcase. It doesn’t matter if it’s a real firearm for professional use or a collectible imitation; the presence of such items on a plane is a major security threat. Airlines and airport security take this very seriously as the potential for a hijacking or violent incident is far too great if these weapons were to find their way on board. When packing your suitcase for a trip, ensure that there are no firearms or ammunition hidden away in any compartments, even if they were left there from a previous activity like hunting or target shooting.
2.Controlled Knives:
Daggers, triangular knives, spring knives with self-locking devices, and ordinary knives with blades longer than 6 centimeters (such as kitchen knives or fruit knives) are not permitted in your suitcase either. These knives can be used as weapons and pose a direct threat to the safety of passengers and crew. Even if you might have used a kitchen knife during a picnic and thoughtlessly tossed it into your luggage, it could lead to serious issues at the airport security checkpoint. So, carefully review the contents of your suitcase and remove any such sharp and potentially dangerous items before heading to the airport.
3.Other Weapons:
Items like police batons, stun guns (including tasers), tear gas, crossbows, and bows and arrows also fall under the category of prohibited weapons. These may seem like useful self-defense or recreational items in other situations, but on an airplane, they can disrupt the order and safety of the flight. They could be used maliciously or accidentally cause harm in the close quarters of the aircraft cabin. Make sure your suitcase is free of these items to avoid any complications during the security screening process.
III. Other Prohibited Items
1.Toxic Substances:
Highly toxic chemicals such as cyanide and arsenic, as well as toxic gases like chlorine gas and ammonia gas, must never be packed in your suitcase. If these substances were to leak or somehow be released inside the plane, the consequences would be disastrous. Passengers and crew could be poisoned, and the spread of these toxins in the enclosed space of the aircraft would be difficult to contain. When packing medications or any chemical products, check the labels carefully to ensure they do not contain any prohibited toxic substances.
2.Radioactive Substances:
Radioactive elements like uranium, radium, and their related products are strictly forbidden. The harmful radiation emitted by these substances can cause serious health problems for those exposed to it, including an increased risk of cancer. Moreover, the radiation can interfere with the normal operation of the aircraft’s electronic equipment, which is vital for a safe flight. Even small items containing trace amounts of radioactive materials, such as some old watches with radioactive dials, should be left at home when traveling by air.
3.Strongly Corrosive Substances:
Concentrated sulfuric acid, concentrated hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and other strong acids and alkalis are highly corrosive and can damage the structure of the aircraft. If your suitcase were to have a spill of one of these substances, it could eat through the materials of the plane’s cargo hold or cabin flooring, potentially weakening the plane’s integrity and causing mechanical failures. When packing household cleaning products or any chemical substances in your suitcase, verify that they are not corrosive chemicals on the prohibited list.
4.Magnetic Substances:
Large, undemagnetized magnets or electromagnets can disrupt the aircraft’s navigation system, communication equipment, and other essential instruments. These magnetic fields can interfere with the precise operation of the plane’s electronics, which rely on accurate readings and signals for a safe journey. So, items like powerful magnets used for industrial purposes or even some novelty magnetic toys should not be placed in your suitcase when traveling by international aviation.
5.Live Animals (Partially Restricted):
While many people love traveling with their pets, certain animals pose a risk and are prohibited from being carried in a suitcase or even in the cabin in most cases. Venomous snakes, scorpions, large raptors, and other aggressive or disease-carrying animals are not allowed. However, if you have a pet cat or dog, you can usually arrange for proper pet consignment following the airline’s specific procedures and requirements. But remember, they cannot be simply stuffed into your regular suitcase. They need to be in an appropriate pet carrier and go through the correct pet travel process.
6.Lithium Batteries and Power Banks Beyond the Regulations:
With the prevalence of electronic devices nowadays, it’s important to pay attention to the rules regarding lithium batteries and power banks. A single lithium battery with a rated energy exceeding 160Wh, or multiple lithium batteries with a total rated energy exceeding 160Wh, cannot be placed in your suitcase, whether it’s in the checked baggage or carry-on. Spare lithium batteries can only be carried in hand luggage and are subject to quantity restrictions. For power banks with a rated energy between 100Wh and 160Wh, you can carry up to two with the airline’s approval, but they must not be checked. Improper handling of these batteries can lead to overheating, fires, or explosions during the flight, so always check the specifications of your batteries and power banks before packing them in your suitcase.
Post time: Dec-18-2024