11 Prohibited And Restricted Items You Cannot Bring Onto Airplanes

The last thing you’d want before setting off on your holiday is to have your belongings confiscated at the airport. We’ve listed out some seemingly harmless items that are not allowed on airplanes*.

*For the most accurate information, please check with your airline before you fly, or you cna also refer to the Singapore Airlines website for more details on baggage restrictions.

Calling all Apple users! If you own a 15-inch MacBook Pro purchased from September 2015 to February 2017 and has the Macbook model: ‘MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)’, your Macbook may risk battery overheat and thus, poses a fire safety risk.

To find out if your laptop is one of the affected models, key in your Macbook’s serial number at this link to find out. You can make an appointment and replace the banned batteries for free at the Apple Retail Store if it falls within the category.

Power Banks exceeding 160Wh and Lithium content exceeding 8g will not be allowed on board for fear of fire risks. If you’re having trouble converting Voltage to Watt-hours, here’s a cheat sheet to refer to:

On a side note, rechargeable batteries packs are prohibited in checked-in baggage and must be carried in your cabin luggage only.

We get it, most daughters will suffer the brunt of the Asian Mum Narrative which pretty much goes like this:

“The world is a dangerous place and unless you protect yourself, you’re not getting on that plane!”. Before you can react, a small bottle of pepper spray is shoved into your hands.

Unfortunately (or not), disabling devices such as pepper sprays are banned on aircraft.

All small lithium battery-powered personal transportation devices (e.g. mini-Segway, hoverboard, solowheel, airwheel, balance wheel, etc.) are prohibited as checked-in and hand-carry baggage. This is regardless of whether the battery can be removed from the device.

Although having your own personal transportation may ease your travelling woes, we suggest not taking the risk. Instead, hop onto the city’s local public transportation or rent a car to explore your destination like a local.

Whether your toy gun looks more like a defunct second-hand steal or you’re having trouble pacifying a crying toddler who refuses to part with his favourite toy, the rules are clear. Guns, fake or not, are strictly prohibited in the airplanes.

Forget about Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs). No vacation is complete without tasting a country’s local cuisine!

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, personal vaporisers or electronic nicotine delivery systems are only allowed in carry-on baggage or on the person, where permitted by the applicable local laws. However, the use of e-cigarettes in the cabin is prohibited at all times. A lithium battery-powered e-cigarette is considered as a portable electronic device (PED) and is subject to the restrictions for carriage of PEDs. Each e-cigarette must not exceed 100 Wh or 2g lithium content.

Up to a maximum of 15 pieces of PEDs are allowed in carry-on baggage and/or on the person. This includes the number of PEDs carried in checked baggage. Do note that it is illegal to buy, use and possess imitation tobacco products (such as e-cigarettes) in Singapore.

While having a manicure set by your side is a life-saver in the case of chipped fingernails, any sharp/bladed objects are not allowed in your carry-on bags. Other sharp objects labelled as restricted items, not limited to, are knives, pocket knives, etc.

If you’re planning to take home a piece of your new-found favorite destination as a souvenir for yourself or a gift for a friend, snow globes actually contain liquids that easily exceed 100ml. So make sure to pack it in your check-in luggage instead of your carry-on baggage.

The same argument over liquids limits can be applied to honey. But more pressingly, honey has long been a cause for serious allergies for affected flight passengers. The last thing we need is a delay in takeoff as the paramedics rush in for emergency aid. Wrap it properly and pack it in your luggage instead!

Meat products containing pork, duck and chicken, can only be brought back to Singapore not exceeding a 5 kg limit. The same weight restrictions can be applied to seafood as well!

Now that you’re ready to jet off, build your own holiday and personalise your itineraries with over 350 cities and 100,000 activities available for you!