9 Things You Should Never Pack in Your Checked Luggage

Airports are stressful. Scheduling an Uber, checking your luggage, getting through security, and finding your gate are a headache – even without delayed flights, screaming babies, or lost luggage. It helps to come prepared. We all know what items not to pack in our carry-on luggage: liquids over 3.4 ounces, sharp objects, hairspray, etc. However, to make your trip as efficient as possible, consider keeping these nine items out of your checked luggage as well.

All Your Clothes

If your luggage gets lost in transit, the last thing you want is to be stuck in the same pair of sweaty travel clothes. Remember to always pack at least one full change of clothes in your carry-on.

Medicine

You don’t want to end up stuck at your destination without your medication either. If your checked bag gets lost or if you have a medical emergency, it’s important to make sure your required medications are close at hand. Be sure to pack a couple of days’ supply of all medication in your carry-on bag. If possible, keep medicine out of your checked bag altogether.

Jewelry

It’s best to avoid packing any valuable items like expensive or sentimental jewelry in your checked luggage as well. If you can’t easily replace it, then don’t risk packing it in your checked bag. The safest bet with jewelry is to wear it on your flight or to stow it in your carry-on. Make sure all valuable items are covered by your insurance

Car and House Keys

The last thing you want is to land after a long stressful day of travel and be stuck at the airport without your keys. If your luggage gets lost, you want to be sure you can still drive home and get inside your house.

Camera Film

Film photography has seen a resurgence in recent years. If you’re just getting into shooting on film, you want to be very careful about putting it in your checked luggage. Running film through X-ray scanners repeatedly can ruin it. If you don’t want to lose all your vacation shots, then stash your film in your carry-on and ask the TSA agent to inspect it by hand.

Alcohol Over 140-Proof

Unopened alcohol is allowed in checked luggage, but only if it’s under 140 proof. Flammable liquids are dangerous to have aboard aircraft, and as the proof goes up, so does the flammability. While most alcohol will meet the 140-proof cutoff, it’s best to check before packing as some common grain alcohol and rum are higher proof.

E-Cigarettes and Vapes

E-cigarettes and vapes all contain flammable lithium batteries. If a fire were to start in the cargo hold of an airplane, it would be very difficult to control or extinguish. Vapes are allowed in carry-on luggage, but the quantity can be limited so check with the airline before bringing your vapes onboard.

Wrapped Presents

While it’s not prohibited to pack wrapped gifts in your checked luggage, it will make things difficult for the TSA scanner. Wrapped items look suspicious and are more likely to be chosen for additional inspection. If you’re traveling for the holidays, make sure to wrap your presents on arrival.

Camp Fuel

If you’re going on a camping trip that involves air travel, it’s best to buy your fuel once you arrive at your destination. Camp stove fuel canisters cannot be packed in your carry-on or checked luggage. They can be packed in your checked luggage once properly emptied and cleaned, so you can bring them home for recycling once the trip ends.

If you want to get through the airport quickly and avoid any unnecessary headaches, we strongly recommend keeping these nine items out of your checked luggage. It’s also a good idea to check the TSA requirements for carry-on and checked baggage, especially to get confirmation on any items you feel unsure about.

References: PackSafe - Alcoholic Beverages | Packing Basics: Never put these 14 Things in your Checked Bag | What Can I Bring? | 17 Things That Could Get Your Checked Luggage Flagged by the TSA