Batteries and power banks – the most common source of trouble
This is the area where it's easiest to slip up, because many people assume that, since the suitcase travels in the hold, you can pack “electronics and accessories” into it without any real rules. In fact, batteries (especially lithium ones) are treated as a potential safety hazard, which is why regulations and airlines approach them very cautiously.
What can't you keep in checked baggage?
The most important rule: power banks and spare batteries (e.g. for a camera) should not go in checked baggage – they belong in your carry-on. These are exactly the items that most often end up on the list when you check what is prohibited in checked baggage.
Flammable, explosive and “pressurised” items – what not to carry in checked baggage?
In this group, one thing matters most: the baggage hold is no place for items that can ignite, explode or uncontrollably release their contents. That is precisely why some products we keep at home or in the garage every day end up on the list of items prohibited in checked baggage. The simplest way to think about it is this: if something is flammable, pyrotechnic or pressurised, it's worth checking the rules before you pack it in your suitcase.
What is usually banned or heavily restricted:
- Pyrotechnic materials (e.g. fireworks, flares, signal flares) are treated as explosive products and, as a rule, should not go into checked baggage.
-
Flammable liquids and substances (e.g. solvents, certain fuels and technical preparations) are also problematic, because their vapours can pose a hazard in air transport.
-
Aerosols and pressurised containers are sometimes allowed, but often only in limited quantities and on condition that they are “toiletry/medical” products or specific aerosols that are safer to transport. In practice, what matters are the limits and the way they are secured (e.g. a valve cap).
Chemicals and corrosive/toxic substances – leave these at home
Checked baggage is governed by rules on so-called “dangerous goods”. In practice, this means that many household and technical chemicals should not end up in a suitcase handed over to the hold. If you're wondering what you can't carry in checked baggage, this category is one of the most “risky”, because some products are banned without exception, while others have restrictions that depend on their composition and packaging.
The items that most often land on the list of things prohibited in checked baggage are:
- strong cleaning agents and bleaches,
- drain cleaners,
- acids and bases (various technical “concentrates”),
- paints, varnishes, glues and other chemicals with flammable or irritant properties.
If something has a strong smell, warnings such as “flammable”, “corrosive” or “toxic” on the label, or is typically a “workshop” product — it's better to assume it's an example of what you can't carry in checked baggage until you've checked the rules.
Things that aren't “banned” but shouldn't go in checked baggage
Here an important distinction comes up: there are items prohibited in checked baggage (which we cover in the other sections), but there are also things the regulations don't expressly forbid. Even so, it's better not to put them in a suitcase handed over to the hold — for very practical reasons.
Why does this matter?
Checked baggage travels in the hold, which means that once it's handed over you have no access to it until landing. On top of that, a suitcase can be delayed or end up on a different belt than you. That's exactly why it's worth making a conscious decision about what to pack in checked baggage and what is safer to keep with you in your carry-on.
What is better kept in your carry-on (even if “technically allowed”):
- Documents and travel essentials: ID/passport, driving licence, tickets, booking confirmations.
- Money and small valuables: cash, cards, jewellery, a watch.
- Electronics you can't easily do without: phone, laptop, camera (especially if you need them right after landing).
- Medication you may need along the way: especially anything taken regularly or “on demand” (e.g. for allergies or motion sickness).
Checked baggage with no surprises – a quick check before you leave
Checked baggage has its limitations, so before you leave it's worth taking a moment for a quick check of what you can't carry in checked baggage and what might be flagged at check-in. The most common problems involve power sources and items that could pose a hazard in the hold, so it's good to know what you can pack in checked baggage and what should go in your carry-on.
