Unsafe and Restricted Items

Unsafe and restricted articles

While packing your bags, ensure that you only carry what is considered safe for air travel. Be it in your carry-on or checked-in baggage, such hazardous items may pose a threat to you, other passengers and crew onboard. To make it easier for you, here is a quick guide to the list of items that are unsafe for flight travel. If you are carrying any of these items, do inform the security-check personnel and discard them as per the instructions given to you.

Alcoholic beverages

Carry on: No

Check In: Yes

A person can carry a total net quantity of 5 l / 169 oz of alcohol.
Please note that the bottle should be in original retail packaging, and the receptacle should not exceed 5 l/ 169 oz. Additionally, the alcohol content by volume should be between 24% and 70%.

Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels (LAGs) purchased from duty-free shops are permitted in cabin baggage when purchased from the Airport Security Hold Area and only accepted when carried in security tamper-evident bags (STEBs) of a maximum capacity not exceeding 1 litre, with the proof of purchase.

ⓘ 

Permitted as per LAG policy for international transfer passengers. The quantity of duty-free alcohol that can be purchased and carried depends on the duty-free regulations at the airport.

Spillable batteries

Prohibited

Spare batteries

Carry On: Yes

Check In: No

i. Batteries or fuel cells, including lithium batteries, non-spillable batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and dry batteries, not exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh.

No more than two spare batteries per person may be carried.

Batteries up to 100 Wh

ii. Lithium metal batteries: The lithium metal content must not exceed 2 g.

Lithium-ion batteries: The Watt-hour rating must not exceed 100 Wh.

iii. Passengers can carry batteries emptied from their electronic equipment. In addition, each person can carry a maximum of two spare batteries.

Batteries exceeding 100 Wh

iv. For batteries exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh: The lithium content must not be more than 8 g, including Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs), Portable Medical Electronic Devices (PMEDs). Only two are allowed.

Baggage with installed lithium batteries and non-removable batteries exceeding 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh

Prohibited

E-cigarettes, including e-cigars, e-pipes, other personal vaporizers, all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS), Heat Not Burn Products, e-hookah and the like devices.

Prohibited

Drones/ UAVs/ RPAS (weighing up to 2 kg/ 4.4 lb, in switched-off condition and packed appropriately)

Allowed on both

Drones, weighing more than 2 kg/ 4.4 lb

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

For more details, scroll to the end of the page.

Laptops or computers (containing Lithium batteries, Lithium metal content must not exceed 2 g and the Watt-hour rating, not exceeding 100 Wh) (Ref IATA table 2.3.A and 2.3.5.8.4 for details)

Carry On: Yes

Check In: Yes

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To carry your laptop as check-in baggage, you are requested to remove the battery from it. The battery will have to be carried in your cabin baggage. This is applicable for all flights departing India.

Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with lithium-ion batteries where the design of the mobility aid does not provide adequate protection for the battery(ies).

Carry On: Yes

Check In: No

Maximum one spare battery not exceeding 300 Wh or two spare batteries not exceeding 160 Wh is allowed.

Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with non-spillable wet batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries (dry batteries).

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

One spare battery can be carried.

Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with spillable batteries or lithium-ion batteries.

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

One spare battery can be carried.

Hoverboard/Segway

Prohibited

Chlorine for pools and spas

Prohibited

Liquid bleach

Prohibited

Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)

Allowed on both

A quantity not exceeding 2.5 kg/5.5 lb per person is allowed when used to pack perishables which are not subject to DG Regulations in checked-in or carry-on baggage, provided the baggage (package) permits the release of carbon dioxide gas.

For medical purposes, the recommended quantities are subject to written approval from the aircraft operator.

Note: Checked-in baggage must be marked "dry ice" or "carbon dioxide, solid" and with the net weight of dry ice or an indication that there is 2.5 kg/5.5 lb or less dry ice. It should also have insulated packaging containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen.

Wax, except sealing wax

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Hair curlers containing hydrocarbon gas

Prohibited

Avalanche rescue backpack

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Only one such backpack containing cartridges of compressed gas in Div. 2.2 can be carried per person. It can also be equipped with a pyrotechnic trigger mechanism containing no more than 200 mg net of Div. 1.4 S.

Note: The backpack must be packed in such a manner that it cannot be accidentally activated. The airbags within the backpacks must be fitted with pressure relief valves.

Gas cartridges, small, non-flammable containing carbon dioxide or other suitable gas in Division 2.2

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

There should be at most two (2) devices per passenger, up to two (2) spare small cartridges per device and at most four (4) cartridges with up to 50 ml/1.7 oz water capacity for other devices.

Gas cylinders, non-flammable, non-toxic, worn for the operation of mechanical limbs/prosthetic of passenger with reduced mobility.

Allowed on both

Compressed gas cylinders (including fire extinguishers)

Prohibited

Air mattress with built-in pump

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Disabling devices such as mace, pepper spray, and others containing an irritant or incapacitating substance

Prohibited

Electroshock weapons (e.g. tasers) containing dangerous goods such as explosives, compressed gases

Prohibited

Tear gas

Prohibited

Stun guns/ shocking device

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Aerosol (except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities)

Prohibited

Camphor

Prohibited

Gun lighters

Prohibited

Gas torch

Prohibited

Lighters

Prohibited

Lighter fluid

Prohibited

Turpentine and paint thinner

Prohibited

Printer cartridge

Carry On: No

Check In: No

Cattle products

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Heat producing articles such as underwater torches (diving lamps) and soldering irons

Carry On: No

Checked In: Yes

Copra (dried coconut)

Prohibited

Coconut crushed (dry coconut)

Prohibited

"All spices in powder/physical form including chilly"

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Coconut

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Coconut crushed (green tissue)

Allowed on both

Ghee (clarified butter)/cooking oil

Allowed on both

Note: Allowed in cabin baggage as per LAG restrictions. As checked-in baggage, the quantity is limited to 5 kg/l per passenger.

Pickle

Allowed on both

Note: Chilly pickle is only allowed in checked-in baggage.

Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel)

Prohibited

Gasoline

Prohibited

Camping stoves and fuel containers that can contain flammable liquid fuel, with empty fuel tank/fuel container

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Internal combustion or fuel cell engines

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Radio isotopic cardiac pacemakers or other devices, including those powered by lithium batteries, implanted into a person or fitted externally.

Carry On: Yes

Check In: No

Specimens, non-infectious packed with small quantities of flammable liquid (must meet A 180)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Thermometer or barometer, mercury filled in a leakproof container and carried by an authorised representative of IMD (with a specific authorisation letter) not more than the dimension of carry-on baggage as permitted in the cabin.

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Thermometer, medical or clinical, which contains mercury, one (1) per person for personal use, when in its protective case.

Carry On: Yes

Check In: No

Diabetes-related supplies/equipment

Allowed on both

This includes insulin and insulin-loaded dispensing products, vials or boxes of individual vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers, preloaded syringes, an unlimited number of unused syringes (when accompanied by insulin), lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, insulin pumps, and insulin pump supplies.

Note: These can be carried only after inspection to ensure prohibited items are not concealed.

Medication and special needs devices: Braille notetaker, slate and stylus, augmentation devices (allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed).

Allowed on both

Nitroglycerine pills or spray for medical use (if properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label).

Allowed on both

Oxygen or air, gaseous cylinders are required only for medical needs. The cylinder must not exceed 5 kg/11 lb gross weight (consent of aircraft operator required).

Allowed on both

Artificial skeleton bones (for research by the medical fraternity with an authorisation letter).

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Ropes/luggage chain

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Cello tape/measuring /masking tape

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Camera equipment/undeveloped film

Allowed on both

Cremation urns

Allowed on both

Cuticle cutters (nail cutters without knife), bottle openers

Allowed on both

Eyelash curlers (manual only)

Allowed on both

Nail clippers without knife

Allowed on both

Nail files

Allowed on both

Personal care or toiletries with aerosols in limited quantities (such as hairsprays and deodorants)

Allowed on both

Steel/metallic cutlery without a sharp edge

Allowed on both

Umbrellas-Foldable (allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed)

Allowed on both

Umbrellas with sharp edges

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Walking canes (allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed)

Allowed on both

Wooden staff by religious heads

Allowed on both

Security-type attache cases, cash boxes, cash bags, and others, containing dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries and pyrotechnic materials

Prohibited

Camcorders

Allowed on both

Mobile phones

Allowed on both

Pagers

Allowed on both

Talcum powder

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Satellite phones & GPS devices without authorisation from BSNL, MHA or DoT.

Prohibited

Satellite handsets provided by INMARSAT in switched-off condition (ISAT phone - with authorisations from BSNL only. Carriage of multiple handsets requires multiple authorisations).

Allowed on both

Other than BSNL-authorised Satellite handsets and GPS devices – Carriage in India is permitted with specific authorisation from DoT or MHA only (in switched-off condition).

Allowed on both

Chemical Agent Monitoring Equipment, when carried by staff members of the organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons on official travel

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Permeation devices

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Axes and hatchets

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Box cutters

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Cigar cutters

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Knives (any length and type except round-bladed, butter, and plastic cutlery having no sharp edge)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Meat cleaver

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Razor-type blades such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors.

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Scissors

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Sword and throwing stars

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

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Kirpan

Allowed on both

The total length of the blade and handle should not exceed 22 cm/9 in. The blade alone must not be longer than 15 cm/6 in, and the handle should be no more than 7 cm/3 in.

Note: Allowed only on domestic routes of Indian aircraft within India and not allowed on Hub-Spoke flights

Safety razors (including disposable razors)

Allowed on both

Sabers

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Tweezers

Allowed on both

Fishing rods

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Sporting goods like baseball bats, bows and arrows, cricket bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles, spear guns

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Sports (inflatable balls) like footballs, basket balls (only in deflated state)

Allowed on both

Sports (soft balls) like tennis balls, table tennis balls

Allowed on both

Sports rackets/racquets like badminton, tennis, squash (properly packed)

Allowed on both

Corkscrews

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Hammers

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Ice axes/ice picks

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Knitting and crochet needles

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Saws (including cordless portable power saws)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Screwdrivers (except those in eyeglass repair kits)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Tools (including but not limited to wrenches and pliers)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Wrenches and pliers

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Eyeglass repair tools (including screw drivers small)

Allowed on both

Prosthetic device tools and appliances, including Allen key/wrench, pull sleeves used to put on or remove prosthetic devices if carried by the individual with the prosthetic device or his or her companion.

Allowed on both

Allen keys with equipment

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Crowbars

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Drills (including cordless portables power drills)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Glue gun

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Realistic replicas of explosives and incendiaries

Prohibited

Realistic replicas of firearms

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Realistic replicas of reptiles and insects (like snakes, scorpions, lizards, frogs, spiders, and so on).

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Toy weapons (if not realistic replicas)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Toy gun and spray guns of different colour and shape

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Realistic replicas of explosives and incendiaries, guns, revolvers, knives for security test purpose carried under specific authorisations from RD, BCAS – Ref AC 05/2020 – fresh addition

Allowed on both

Toy transformer robots

Allowed on both

Blasting caps

Prohibited

Dynamite

Prohibited

Firearms artfully concealed

Prohibited

Fireworks/fire crackers/party poppers/bang snaps

Prohibited

Flare guns

Prohibited

Flare (in any form)

Prohibited

Hand grenades

Prohibited

Plastic explosives

Prohibited

Blasting caps

Prohibited

Dynamite

Prohibited

Black jacks

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Fireworks/fire crackers/party poppers/bang snaps

Prohibited

Compressed air guns/air guns

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Compressed air guns/air guns

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Firearms (*in checked-in baggage - Bonafide passenger with licence, sports persons with licence and DGCA permission, defence, CAPF and police with ID card and movement order/authority slip)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Kubatons

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Blasting caps

Prohibited

Dynamite

Prohibited

Black jacks

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Parts of guns and firearms

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Pellet guns

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Knuckles (made of any material)

Carry On: No

Check In: Yes

Carriage of drones

Domestic flights

  • Carriage of drones on domestic flights is governed by the regulations set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Drone Rules 2021.
  • Nano, micro and small drones weighing up to 2kg/4.4 lb can be carried as carry-on baggage and checked-in baggage unless the partner airline policy specifies otherwise.
  • Drones with battery capacity up to 160 Wh are allowed as checked-in baggage. Only two spare batteries are permitted for large drones with a battery capacity between 100 Wh and 160 Wh. 
  • All drones must be in switched-off condition and packed appropriately. 
  • Batteries, including spare ones, must be packed as carry-on baggage. If the drone is carried as checked-in baggage, the batteries must be removed and carried as carry-on baggage. Nano drones with Li batteries can only be accepted as carry-on baggage.
  • Drones with a battery capacity of over 160 Wh cannot be taken as either cabin or checked-in baggage. They are allowed only as cargo shipments subject to obtaining prior approval.

International flights

The carriage of drones on international flights is subject to the drone carriage policy of the country concerned.

Apple Inc.’s official advisory on carrying MacBook Pro laptops

Old generation 15 in MacBook Pro laptops sold between Sep 2015 and Feb 2017 cannot be carried onboard due to an overheating issue of the battery while in use. Check Apple’s support website using your laptop’s serial number to know whether your MacBook Pro falls under this category. You can also visit the DGCA website for more information.