Items you should not pack on an airplane
Quick Packing Check:
Prohibited items on airplanes fall into three categories:
- Items banned from all baggage (explosives, pepper spray, corrosive substances)
- Items banned from carry-on only (knives, firearms, sporting equipment)
- Items banned from checked baggage only (power banks, spare lithium batteries, e-cigarettes).
From 15 April 2026, passengers departing Singapore are limited to a maximum of 2 power banks per person in carry-on baggage. Liquids in carry-on must be in containers of 100ml or less, all fitting in one transparent 1-litre resealable bag.
Packed and ready to fly, only to have something pulled from your bag at the security checkpoint? It's a frustrating (and sometimes costly) experience that's entirely avoidable. Before you zip up your luggage, here's exactly what's prohibited on flights departing Singapore, including the new 2026 power bank rules that every traveller needs to know.
*For the most accurate information, please check with your airline before you fly, or you can also refer to the Singapore Airlines website for more details on baggage restrictions.
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What Are Prohibited Items on an Airplane?
Prohibited items on airplanes are goods that are banned for safety reasons: they can cause fires, leaks, or injuries in a pressurised aircraft cabin. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) classifies these as "dangerous goods," and they apply to all flights departing Singapore.
The key distinction is where something is banned. Some items are prohibited everywhere: carry-on and checked baggage. Others are banned only from the cabin but can travel in the cargo hold. And some can only go in your carry-on, never your checked bag.
Quick Reference: Prohibited Items on Planes
Item | Carry-On | Checked Baggage |
|---|---|---|
Explosives, fireworks, flares | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed |
Pepper spray / mace | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed |
Corrosive substances (acid, drain cleaner) | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed |
Firearms (real) | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ With police & airline approval |
Toy guns / replica firearms | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Allowed |
Knives, scissors >6cm blade | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Allowed |
Power banks (≤100Wh / ≈27,000mAh) | ✅ Max 2 per person | ❌ Not allowed |
Power banks (100–160Wh) | ✅ With airline approval | ❌ Not allowed |
Power banks (>160Wh) | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed |
E-cigarettes / vapes | ✅ Carry-on only | ❌ Not allowed |
Spare lithium batteries | ✅ Carry-on only | ❌ Not allowed |
Hoverboards / personal transport | ✅ Carry-on only | ❌ Not allowed |
Liquids >100ml per container | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Allowed |
Liquids ≤100ml (in 1L clear bag) | ✅ Allowed | ✅ Allowed |
Alcohol >70% ABV | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed |
Sources: CAAS (updated May 2026), Changi Airport Security & Baggage Restrictions (updated April 2026)
Items That Are Completely Prohibited on All Flights
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These items are banned from both your carry-on and checked baggage. There are no exceptions.
Explosives, Flammables & Gases
Fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics, gunpowder, and lighter fluid are prohibited in all baggage. This includes sparklers and novelty party poppers, even if they seem harmless, as they are classified as explosive devices.
Pressurised gas cylinders (e.g. propane, butane, scuba tanks) are also completely banned. The exception is small lighters: one single lighter on your person is permitted, provided it contains only absorbed liquid or liquefied gas fuel. Refills are not allowed in any baggage.
Pepper Spray, Mace & Disabling Devices
Disabling devices containing irritants (including pepper spray, mace, and tear gas) are prohibited on all flights, in both carry-on and checked baggage. This is a blanket ban under CAAS regulations. There is no workaround.
Corrosive & Toxic Substances
Acids, alkalis, drain cleaners, strong toilet cleaners, and wet-cell batteries fall under this category. Toxic household products (pesticides, disinfectants) and infectious substances (blood, biological tissue, pathogen cultures) are also banned. Mercury thermometers are a partial exception: one per passenger is allowed in checked baggage in a protective case.
Radioactive Materials
Radioactive materials, including those used in certain medical treatments, are prohibited. Passengers with implanted cardiac pacemakers or medical implants are exempt and can carry these on their person.
Items Banned from Carry-On (But Allowed in Checked Baggage)
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These items cannot travel in the cabin but can go in the cargo hold, with the right precautions.
Firearms & Weapons
Real firearms, ammunition, and martial arts weapons must be checked in, but only with prior approval from the Singapore Police Force (Airport Police Division) and your airline. This applies to both departing and arriving passengers.
Replica and toy guns are banned from carry-on but are generally permitted in checked baggage. If your child's toy looks remotely like a real firearm, pack it in your checked bag.
Sharp Objects
The following must go in checked baggage:
- Knives, including jack knives and pocket knives
- Scissors with blades longer than 6cm (measured from the fulcrum)
- Multi-tools, including credit-card-sized ones
- Letter openers and wine openers
- Nail clippers (rules vary by airline, so check with your carrier)
A full manicure set should go in your checked bag.
Sporting Equipment & Blunt Objects
Baseball bats, hockey sticks, billiard cues, golf clubs, and skateboards must be checked in. These are classified as potential blunt weapons and are not permitted in the cabin.
Items That Must Travel in Carry-On Only
These are the items you cannot put in your checked bag. They must stay with you in the cabin so crew can respond quickly if there's an incident.
Power Banks: Important 2026 Rule Change
From 15 April 2026, new rules apply to all flights departing Singapore. Here's what changed:
- Maximum of 2 power banks per person, regardless of capacity, with no exceptions including brand-new, boxed units purchased at the airport
- Power banks cannot be charged on board the aircraft
- Passengers are advised not to use power banks to charge their devices during the flight
- Power banks are strictly prohibited in checked baggage
The capacity limits remain:
Capacity | Allowed? |
|---|---|
≤100Wh (approximately ≤27,000mAh) | ✅ Yes — max 2 per person |
100Wh–160Wh (approximately 27,000–43,000mAh) | ✅ Yes, with airline approval — max 2 per person |
>160Wh | ❌ Not allowed |
To check your power bank's Wh rating: Watt-hours (Wh) = Amp-hours (Ah) × Voltage (V). Most 10,000mAh power banks are well under 100Wh.
All power banks must be individually protected to prevent short circuits when not in use: keep them in the original packaging, place them in a separate plastic bag, or tape over the terminals.
If you're travelling with family, note that the 2-power-bank limit applies per person. You cannot pool allowances.
E-Cigarettes & Vaping Devices
E-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, and all vaping devices containing lithium batteries must be in your carry-on only. They cannot be packed in checked baggage. Battery limits apply (up to 2g lithium content / 100Wh).
You cannot recharge an e-cigarette on board. This is strictly prohibited.
Important note for Singapore-based travellers: it is illegal to buy, sell, use, or possess e-cigarettes in Singapore. You may use them in countries where vaping is permitted, but you cannot bring them back into Singapore for sale or distribution.
Spare Lithium Batteries
Any battery removed from a device becomes a "spare lithium battery" and must be hand-carried. The rules mirror those for power banks above: up to 100Wh freely, 100–160Wh with airline approval, over 160Wh not allowed.
Personal Transportation Devices
Hoverboards, mini-Segways, self-balancing wheels, and motorised suitcases must be carried as hand luggage only. The device's lithium battery must not exceed 160Wh. Many airlines impose additional restrictions on these devices, so check with your airline before you pack one.
Restricted Items with Special Rules
Liquids, Aerosols & Gels (LAGs) in Carry-On Baggage
The LAGs rule applies to all flights departing Singapore. Here's exactly what's allowed in your carry-on:
- Each container must hold 100ml (100g) or less
- All containers must fit into one transparent, resealable 1-litre plastic bag, fully closed
- Only one such bag per passenger
- The bag must be presented separately at the security screening point
This rule catches more travellers than any other restriction. Snow globes, jars of honey, peanut butter, sauces, and soups all count as LAGs. Containers over 100ml are not allowed in carry-on even if they're not full.
Exemptions apply for: baby food and breast milk (if travelling with an infant), and prescription medications (accompanied by a doctor's letter).
Duty-free liquids purchased within Changi Airport's departure transit area (after security) are permitted, provided they remain sealed in the security tamper-evident bag with the receipt visible. Check restrictions if you're transiting through another airport before your final destination.
Alcohol
Alcohol with an ABV (alcohol by volume) above 70% is prohibited in all baggage. For beverages between 24%–70% ABV, up to 5 litres per person is allowed in checked baggage. Alcohol below 24% ABV has no specific quantity restriction beyond your airline's checked baggage weight allowance.
Powder-Like Substances on US-Bound Flights
If you're flying non-stop to the United States on a US carrier, an additional rule applies: powder-like substances in a single container exceeding 350g are prohibited in carry-on baggage. Pack larger quantities in your checked bag. Exceptions include duty-free purchases in a sealed STEB bag, human remains, baby formula, and medication with a doctor's letter.
Singapore-Specific Tips: Flying Out of Changi Airport
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A few things to know specifically when departing from Changi Airport:
If you're flying to an EU airport (including Switzerland), LAGs purchased within Changi's transit areas must be in sealed Security Tamper Evident Bags (STEB) bearing the SGP state code to be allowed on board. Regular plastic bags do not qualify.
For flights to Australia or the US, there are earlier cut-off times for purchasing LAGs at Changi: you must buy at least 90 minutes before departure.
From 15 April 2026: All departing passengers are limited to 2 power banks per person. Excess power banks will be confiscated before boarding. This applies to all airlines and all passengers, with no exceptions.
If you're unsure about a specific item, the CAAS "Pack for Your Flight" guide at caas.gov.sg is updated regularly and is the authoritative source for Singapore departures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a power bank on a plane from Singapore?
Yes, but with restrictions. From 15 April 2026, you can carry a maximum of 2 power banks per person in your carry-on baggage. Power banks cannot be placed in checked baggage. The maximum capacity allowed is 100Wh (≈27,000mAh) without airline approval, or up to 160Wh with airline approval. Power banks exceeding 160Wh are not permitted.
Can I bring pepper spray in my checked luggage?
No. Pepper spray and other disabling devices are completely prohibited on all flights departing Singapore, in both carry-on and checked baggage. This is a blanket ban under CAAS regulations.
How many liquids can I carry on a plane?
In your carry-on, each liquid, aerosol or gel container must be 100ml or less. All containers must fit in one transparent, resealable 1-litre bag (one bag per person). Larger liquids must go in your checked baggage.
Are e-cigarettes allowed on flights from Singapore?
Yes, E-cigarettes may be carried in your carry-on baggage only, not in checked baggage. You cannot recharge or use them on board. Note that importing e-cigarettes into Singapore is illegal, so declare accordingly on return.
What happens if I have more than 2 power banks at Changi Airport?
From 15 April 2026, passengers with more than 2 power banks will be required to dispose of the excess at the checkpoint before boarding. There are no exceptions: this applies to all passengers regardless of the power banks' watt-hour rating.
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