Baggage acceptance policy for international airports

Baggage Acceptance Policy for International Airports

Are you travelling to the Middle East? International airports in Bahrain, Oman, and UAE are specific about their baggage acceptance policy. If you are flying to any of these countries, here is a list of guidelines from packing to understanding Out of Gauge (OOG) and Super Out of Gauge (SOOG) baggage, associated charges, and more.

Bahrain International Airport recommends using of regular travel bags or bags with at least one flat surface to ensure swift movement. You can also use suitable boxes with at least one flat surface to send your belongings.

Criteria for rejection of baggage

Officials at the Bahrain International Airport may not accept your baggage if they are found to be:

  • Round or irregularly shaped
  • Irregularly shaped and tied with a rope
  • Having long or loose straps that restrict the movement of luggage handling systems

Exceptions

Out-of-gauge and odd-shaped items for everyday use, like baby strollers, wheelchairs, bicycles, and golf bags, are permitted.

The Dubai International Airport requests travellers to stick to their baggage guidelines policy to avoid issues during screening or excess charges for carrying OOG baggage. Here is a list of guidelines that will help you decide how to pack your bags before a trip to Dubai:

Tips to avoid Out of Gauge baggage

  • Your baggage should comply with the minimum dimensions of 30 cm x 30 cm x 7.5 cm or 12 in x 12 in x 3 in
  • The total combined dimensions (length x breadth x height) of your baggage should not exceed 158 cm/62 in or 75 cm/30 in 
  • Apart from meeting the dimensional requirements, your baggage should weigh at least 2 kg/ 4 lb or more
  • If you are carrying baggage classified as fragile, make sure that it has at least one flat surface
  • If you are carrying golf bags, remember that they are considered as OOGs
  • When bringing TVs and flat panel displays as baggage, note that the maximum size permitted is 43 in

If your baggage is found to be OOG, you will be charged USD 12 per piece

Non-conveyable items and their packaging 

If your baggage is irregular in shape or does not have at least one flat surface, it can damage or slow down the baggage handling system and will be deemed as non-conveyable baggage. Here is a list of items that are classified as non-conveyable:

  • Bags, backpacks, and sport bags that have loose straps or handles that cannot be removed, secured, or stowed
  • Garment bags used to carry suits, dresses, etc.
  • Car seats for children
  • Items that are already damaged
  • Items secured by rope
  • Golf bags
  • Electronic such as TV
  • Items in plastic bags

If you are carrying such non-conveyable items, make sure they are packed in boxes before check-in. If  you need help with packaging such items, boxing services are available in the terminal check-in area.

Carry-on luggage

It is best to go through the hand baggage requirements for airports in the UAE before packing your carry-ons. As a rule, hand baggage is weighed at the boarding gate at all airports in the UAE.

Baggage screening

Always be sure about avoiding unsafe items while travelling, as you will be asked to discard them during the screening process that happens at the airport. If the Dubai Airport Police finds any item considered unsafe for travel during screening, it will be removed, and you will be intimated with a note inside your bag. 

The Oman International Airport considers all baggage inconsistent in shape and size as Out of Gauge (OOG) or Super Out of Gauge (SOOG). Your baggage will be considered OOG, SOOG or non-standard if:

  • It does not meet minimum dimensions of 28 cm x 8 cm x 7.5 cm or 11 in x 3 in x 2.9 in
  • Its dimensions exceed 100 cm x 75 cm x 60 cm/39.3 in x 29.5 in x 23.6 in and weigh less than 7 kg or 15.4 lb
  • It consists of TVs and a flat panel display with a screen size over 43 inches. If you depart from Muscat, you can carry flat TVs with screen sizes up to 55 inches using the extra baggage allowance service
  • If your baggage has no flat surface, is tied with a rope or wrapped in a blanket
  • You will be charged a fee for carrying such baggage. At the Muscat International Airport, a fee of OMR 4 will be charged for non-standard baggage

The revised baggage policy of Sharjah International Airport recommends that you follow its baggage guidelines strictly to avoid hassles during check-in. Here is a list of things to keep in mind before you pack your bags for travel:

  • Ensure your baggage has at least one flat surface.  
  • Exclude irregularly shaped or round baggage.
  • Avoid taping two items of baggage together.
  • Do not use loose ropes or strings, as they can affect movement through the baggage handling system. Try using strong tape instead.
  • Avoid luggage with long straps.

If your baggage is not compliant with the above-mentioned guidelines of the Sharjah Aviation Services (SAS), it will not be allowed through check-in.