Indian Airports: 8 Items Should Never Carry In Your Hand Luggage

A lot of people end up wasting precious time and sometimes even losing pricey items just because they don’t know the hand luggage rules.

Indian airports, like other global airports, have strict cabin regulations.

Some of these are pretty obvious, while others might catch you off guard. To help make your next journey easier, here are 8 items you should definitely avoid packing in your hand luggage.

Meaning Of Hand Luggage

It’s good to first understand what cabin baggage or hand luggage actually is.

Hand luggage, also known as a carry-on, is the bag you can bring with you onto the plane.

It keeps your essentials handy, saves you from hanging around at baggage claim, and makes sure your journey kicks off on a more convenient note.

1)Sharp Objects

Sharp objects like knives, scissors, razor blades, and nail clippers are not allowed in cabin baggage.

Airport security considers anything that could potentially harm someone as a weapon, even if you intended to use it just for grooming.

If you have a personal grooming kit, double check that it doesn’t contain any sharp items.

It’s best to pack these in your checked luggage instead.

2)Liquids Over 100ml

When you’re packing liquids in your carry on, Indian airports stick to international rules.

Any bottle or container over 100ml, whether it’s water, shampoo, sauce, pickle, or perfume, will get flagged by security.

If you insist it’s sealed or unopened, they won’t let it through. The best bet is to use travel sized bottles that are under the 100ml limit and keep them in a clear pouch.

3)Sprays

Pressurized containers like big deodorant cans, hair sprays, or insect sprays aren’t permitted in hand luggage.

They’re considered hazardous because of the pressure inside the cabin.

You might be able to bring small travel size sprays of 100 ml, but anything larger will be taken away at security.

To prevent losing your toiletries, be sure to pack them, just like other liquid items, in your checked luggage.

4)Athletic and Fitness Equipment

Things like cricket bats, hockey sticks, tennis rackets, dumbbells, or even skipping ropes can raise eyebrows at security.

They might look like innocent sports or fitness gear, but they’re seen as possible safety hazards on flights.

If you’re heading out for a game or a workout trip, be sure to stash this gear in your main luggage.

5)Lighters And Matchboxes

Just a single lighter or matchbox in your bag can get you stopped at security.

They see these as fire risks and don’t allow them in your carry on for both domestic and international flights.

Smokers often make this mistake by just throwing a lighter in their pocket or carry on.

It’s best to leave them at home or pick one up after you arrive.

6)Electronic Cigarettes And Vapes

E-cigarettes and vapes are not allowed at Indian airports, whether in your carry-on or checked luggage.

The authorities classify them as restricted items according to the law, and they will be taken away at the security checkpoint.

In certain situations, having them could even result in fines.

If you use a vape, it’s a good idea to leave it at home when heading to the airport.

7)Power Banks Over 160Wh

You can only bring power banks in your cabin bags, not in checked luggage.

There’s a catch – any battery that exceeds 160 watt-hours is a no-go.

Indian airlines are pretty strict about this, and if your power bank is too big, you might have to leave it behind at the gate.

Before you pack, take a look at the label on your device to ensure it meets the airline’s rules.

8)Tools

Tools like hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, and small wrenches can’t go in your carry on.

Airport security sees them as weapons, so they’re not allowed.

If you packed them for a good reason, the security team won’t let them through.

If you really need them, just toss them in your checked luggage.