Do you have to take electronics out of carry-on luggage?

Remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening. (E.g. laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles.) Remember to check the bins and collect all belongings after going through screening.



In 2026, the requirement to remove electronics from your bag depends entirely on the type of scanner the airport is using. If you are at a modern checkpoint equipped with 3D CT Scanners (now common in major hubs like LHR, AMS, and many US airports), you can leave your laptop, tablet, and power banks inside your bag. These advanced AI-powered machines provide a 360-degree view that allows agents to see through the clutter. However, if you are at an older checkpoint with traditional 2D X-ray machines, you must still remove any device larger than a cell phone and place it in a separate bin. For 2026 travelers, it is a "pro-tip" to look for the "scanners with the big circular tunnels"—if you see those, keep your gear packed; if you see the flat conveyor belts, be ready to unzip.

People Also Ask

Laptops and tablets will typically be screened outside your bag and placed in a separate tray. Forgetting to take your electronics out of your hand luggage could result in security needing to carry out additional security checks, which can cause delays.

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Checked Bags: Yes Please remove the laptops from your bag and place it in a separate bin for X-ray screening.

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Taking liquids through security
  • all drinks, including water.
  • liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups.
  • cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss.
  • sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants.
  • pastes, including toothpaste.


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Place laptops and large electrical items separately in a tray. Put coins, keys, mobile phones and other small items in your coat or hand baggage. Place your hand baggage and coat into a tray. Place any liquid items (important: see 'Liquids - 100ml rule' above), correctly bagged, into the tray.

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Yes, you should plan to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and put them in a separate bin with nothing placed on or under them for security screening. (This does not apply to TSA PreCheck™ passengers.)

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This covers typical dry cell batteries and lithium metal and lithium ion batteries for consumer electronics (AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, camera batteries, laptop batteries, etc.) Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal and lithium ion batteries are always prohibited in checked baggage and must be placed in carry-on.

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Most electronic devices containing batteries are allowed both in carry-on and checked baggage. Customers can bring cell phones, smartphones, electronic games, tablets, computers, cameras, calculators, etc. General airline regulations suggest that all portable electronic devices are put in your carry-on baggage.

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Yes you can wear an underwire bra. Depending on TSA standards in scanning, a metal detector may be sensitive enough to pick-up the bra. This may lead to you being wand. No problem, but could be embarrassing if you are a male.

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You can take all plug-in phone chargers with you in your carry-on or checked bags with ease as they do not contain any form of battery and, therefore, do not present any danger.

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You are not required to remove any jewelry when going through airport security unless it triggers an alarm from the metal detector.

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Pack large electronics on top layer of carry-on for screening accessibility.

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London City Airport has scrapped the 100ml liquid limit by using high-tech scanners which also allow electronics to be kept in hand luggage at security.

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While you can pack expensive, fragile electronics items in checked or carry-on bags, we recommend packing them in your carry-on.

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Most consumer personal electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, including but not limited to cell phones, smart phones, data loggers, PDAs, electronic games, tablets, laptop computers, cameras, camcorders, watches, calculators, etc.

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You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.

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You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.

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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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You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

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If you want to take perfume on a plane, you need to keep in mind that perfume is considered a liquid and is subject to TSA regulations. The perfume must be in a container that holds no more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres), and it should be placed in a clear, plastic, quart-sized bag for screening.

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Safety Razors: Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade. They're fine to pack in your carry-on without the blade. The blades must be stored in your checked luggage. The same applies for straight razors.

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Wallet and purse As long as your wallet doesn't hold something metallic, you're fine to leave your wallet in your pocket and won't have to remove it at airport security. As purses tend to be larger than wallets, they'll need to be removed and screened separately.

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In Standard Screening Lane Remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening.

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