What you can't bring in your carry-on

Blades and tools: prohibited in the cabin, allowed in checked baggage

Knives of any length, scissors with blades longer than 6 cm, straight razors and work tools such as screwdrivers or wrenches cannot be in the cabin, but travel without problems in checked baggage. The same applies to sports equipment such as golf clubs, trekking poles or cleats with metal spikes, often with a specific declaration at check-in if bulky.

Liquids exceeding 100 ml and lighters: two different rules

A bottle of wine or perfume purchased during the trip almost always exceeds the 100 ml per container limit valid in the cabin, but in checked baggage there are no volume restrictions. Lighters follow the opposite logic: a maximum of one per passenger is permitted, carried on you in the cabin, because many airlines prohibit them altogether in checked baggage due to ignition risk.

Items that remain prohibited even in checked baggage

Some items, such as pepper spray, remain prohibited even in checked baggage in many countries due to their classification as a dangerous substance. Some non-European destinations also apply stricter customs restrictions on collectible knives or weapon replicas, regardless of how they are transported: it's worth checking before buying them as souvenirs.

If you're unsure about a specific item, the complete list is in our guide on prohibited items: if it's not clearly allowed in the cabin, move it to checked baggage before closing check-in.