Do you need to lock checked luggage?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now suggests you lock your checked baggage with TSA-Approved and recognized locks. Travel Sentry® Approved locks are approved and recognized by the TSA. Look for the Travel Sentry® symbol when shopping for these TSA-Approved products.



While it is not a legal requirement, it is a strongly recommended peer-to-peer best practice to lock your checked luggage in 2026. Locking your bag serves as a deterrent against opportunistic theft by baggage handlers or other transit staff and prevents your bag from accidentally bursting open during the rigors of automated sorting systems. However, you must use a TSA-recognized lock (often identified by a red diamond logo). These locks can be opened by security officers using a universal master key if they need to inspect the contents of your bag. If you use a non-TSA lock, security personnel are authorized to "forcibly remove" it—often by cutting the lock or the zipper pulls—if your bag triggers a manual search. Furthermore, in the era of high-tech travel, many suitcases now come with integrated biometric or digital locks that are also TSA-compliant. While a lock won't stop a determined professional, it provides peace of mind and ensures that your belongings remain contained and private throughout their journey through the airport's underbelly.

People Also Ask

If you're not packing any valuable items in your checked bag, you don't necessarily need a lock. All bags will go through security screening, and you'll know if your bag has been physically opened if you find a notice inside your bag or if your non-TSA-approved lock is missing.

MORE DETAILS

Locking your luggage is a great deterrent to would-be thieves, but if you're travelling to the USA or Canada, you'll need to use a special type of lock to secure your bag – otherwise the TSA or CATSA can and will cut it off or even break open your checked baggage if it needs to be examined.

MORE DETAILS

No, you are not required to have a TSA approved luggage lock on your bag to fly. You can use any luggage lock you want but if your lock is not TSA approved, then if the TSA does search your luggage, they have the right to cut off your non-approved TSA lock because they do not have a key to open it.

MORE DETAILS

The Benefits of Locking Your Luggage Using a suitcase lock makes it more difficult for baggage handlers or strangers to riffle through your goods at the airport. Not to mention, luggage locks are a great way to ensure your personal belongings won't fall out because the zippers are held together.

MORE DETAILS

Countries with TSA Lock Requirements Hence, several countries (USA, Canada, Japan, Israel, Finland, Austria and South Korea) require travellers to have their suitcases locked with a specific brand of locks that can be unlocked by aviation security.

MORE DETAILS

Lock your gun case before you and the counter agent take it to be checked by TSA. Stay in the immediate area. If TSA needs the case opened for some reason or has questions, you must be present. At most airports you can stand in an area that provides you with a visual of the space where TSA checks special baggage.

MORE DETAILS

If you don't have any luggage locks, cable ties will serve the same purpose in a pinch. If your luggage has lockable zips (two zip pulls, with small loops at the base of each), just thread the largest cable tie that fits through the loops, and pull tight.

MORE DETAILS

The TSA lock is a global security system which allows passengers to secure their luggage, while permitting security authorities to inspect them without damage.

MORE DETAILS

A TSA lock is one to which only TSA officials have a key. You set the combination yourself and, if a TSA agent has to look inside your bag because they see something suspicious on the scanner, it can be easily opened with their master key.

MORE DETAILS

In the United States, most major airports have a computer tomography (CT) scanner. A CT scanner is a hollow tube that surrounds your bag. The X-ray mechanism revolves slowly around it, bombarding it with X-rays and recording the resulting data.

MORE DETAILS

The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. Inspection Notices: TSA may inspect your checked baggage during the screening process.

MORE DETAILS

If you don't want to use a lock, it's a good idea to have a fastener (such as zip ties or tape tags) on your bag that alerts you to tampering. This way, you'll know to check your bag for missing items. When it comes down to it, a lock is better than no lock when your goal is to keep luggage safe and untouched.

MORE DETAILS

Simply look for the 'Red Diamond'. Every lock that carries the Travel Sentry® Approved mark is accepted by the TSA and other security agencies.

MORE DETAILS

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), yes, you can zip-tie your luggage shut so no one would be able to simply unzip your luggage and go through it. You are allowed to zip-tie it because the TSA can snip it open if they need/want/desire to go through it for some reason.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS