Are carry-on bags searched at the airport?

TSA screens approximately 3.3 million carry-on bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Here's what to expect when taking your carry-on bag through security screening next time you fly.



In 2026, carry-on bags are subjected to comprehensive screening at every commercial airport, though the methods have become more advanced. All bags pass through X-ray or CT (Computed Tomography) scanners to detect prohibited items like weapons, explosives, and excessive liquids. If the scanner identifies a suspicious shape, a dense organic material, or an unidentifiable electronic device (like a large power bank or "smart" luggage with non-removable batteries), a security officer will perform a manual physical search. During this "bag dump," the officer will inspect the contents, often using a swab for explosive trace detection. With the stricter enforcement of carry-on dimensions and weight in 2026, gate agents may also "search" or measure your bag to ensure it meets the airline's size limits, potentially forcing a gate-check if it is overstuffed or exceeds the standard 56x40x23 cm allowance.

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Most regular airlines won't check the size, unless it's obviously way larger or heavier than your allowance, but you may need to consider where is that extra inch, if it's too wide/thick, it may not fit in the baggage overhead compartment and a flight attendant may check it in for you…

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However, it may happen that security personnel ask you to open individual pieces of baggage for a thorough check. The hand luggage is then searched manually by the staff. As a rule, however, critical objects are easily identified by personnel on the screens.

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You can travel to just about anywhere in the world and don't have to deal with the typical hassle you find in a commercial airport. But do private planes go through customs? The short answer is: Yes. Private jet customs follow a similar process compared to commercial flights.

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Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

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All carry on bags are scanned through x-ray when you go through the scanner or metal detector, they can also hand search any bag checked or carry on if they see the need to do so. As to what they look for— anything that puts the plane and its passengers at risk. Like knives, explosives, guns, other weapons.

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That depends if you have several kg overweight and are asking for the price per kg or if you really just only have one single kg extra. For a singe kg above the limit you most probably will not get charged, especially not on a full service airline. There is usually a tolerance in the range of 2–3kg, sometimes up to 5.

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If your carry-on is too big, you will either have to pay penalty fees or check your luggage. Checking your luggage means that your carry-on won't be traveling with you but will instead be sent to the airplane cargo, and you will be able to claim it once the plane lands.

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Carry-on bags are limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including wheels and handles. All three measurements shouldn't add up to more than 45 inches.

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Other things that accidentally set off body scanners are body piercings and wire supports in undergarments. External tumors might also trigger the machine, but growths inside—such as fibroids—will not. “Perspiration is probably the weirdest thing that can set off the scanners,” Malvini Redden says.

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Passenger Scanners It allows TSA to scan underneath your clothes and check for any potentially suspicious items. These machines work by passing beams of very low energy X-rays through you that reflect off the other sides of the machine and back through you.

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Carry-on baggage is screened by passing your baggage through the X-ray equipment at the screening checkpoint. If your item is too big to go through the X-ray, it must be checked. Similarly, if an item is not permitted past the checkpoint, you may have the option to place it in your checked baggage.

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TSA officers swab your hands with a cotton cloth to collect explosives residue for testing in an Ion-Mobility Spectrometer (IMS), the machine they put the cloth in that determines if you go to your gate or to a private security screening for a pat down and metal detector.

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Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.

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Toothpaste is considered a liquid by the TSA (Transport Security Agency), even though it's technically a paste. In fact, all pastes, gels, waxes, and lotions are also classified as liquids. And even today, these substances are still restricted by the 3-1-1 rule in hand luggage due to safety threats.

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Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

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They don't put their entire trust in people's good character, of course; customs performs a thorough search of some percentage of all travelers. Some customs agencies decide which travellers to search based on random chance. You are asked to press a button on a machine that activates a random number generator.

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Officials will review your required passenger travel documents (passport, visa, green card, disembarkation card (provided by a flight attendant during flight), immunization documentation, letters of confirmation or support, etc.)

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Everyone arriving at a port of entry to the U.S. is subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers for compliance with immigration, customs and agriculture regulations.

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