What happens with confiscated items from TSA?

If TSA decides to take possession of your item at a security checkpoint, they could hand the item over to the state who could then decide to donate the item, throw it away, or sell it on an online surplus auction or physical retail store.



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Lost and found items retained by TSA for a minimum of thirty (30) days, and if not claimed, are either destroyed, turned over to a state agency for surplus property, or sold by TSA as excess property. The state may dispose of the items through sales, destruction, donations or charities.

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It's important to keep in mind when a TSA agent removes an item, it doesn't mean you can't get it back. You always have the option of returning to the main check-in counter to place items with your checked luggage if you have enough time to do so before your flight.

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Your intentions are pure when leaving for the airport, only to find the pocket knife you recently bought in your carry-on bag instead of your checked luggage. Once the TSA agent discovers that knife, frying pan, brass knuckle, or whatever prohibited item, expect them to confiscate it.

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So any items taken by the TSA become government property. The TSA makes no profit off of items that travelers surrender at checkpoints. Each state sells the TSA confiscated items at auction. The state decides which auction service to use and the state keeps the profit.

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Fortunately, the airport has a dedicated lost-and-found page on its website. There are different processes depending on where the item was lost, and fortunately I was confident I had left mine at a TSA checkpoint. That meant a phone number and e-mail with a tsa.dhs.gov address.

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Inquire at the luggage services desk At most airports, airlines have their own luggage services desk near the baggage claim area. This usually facilitates lost baggage, but you can also ask about lost property at the desk.

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They MAY NOT ask you to lift clothing, or touch any sensitive areas. A second TSA officer MUST ALWAYS be present for such a pat-down. If you have a religious head covering, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE IT. If you set off the detector, the TSA agent may scan you down with a hand wand.

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As for the why, they're usually checking for traces of explosives. These could include: NG (nitroglycerin) ANFO (ammonium nitrate/fuel oil)

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* Bleach is considered to be either a corrosive or oxidizing substance, and is therefore not permitted to be checked in or carried on board.

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While checked luggage is not routinely searched for drugs, there are still measures in place to identify suspicious or prohibited items, and if illegal items are found, there could be serious consequences.

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Removing laptops allows security staff to ensure that passengers are following airport rules and no dangerous items will be smuggled onto the plane. Michael continued: If I notice a laptop in a bag I'll either ask the owner to remove it or take the bag around again and turn it over to see from the other side.

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TSA makes every effort to reunite passengers with items left behind at the airport checkpoint. Lost and found items retained by TSA for a minimum of thirty (30) days, and if not claimed, are either destroyed, turned over to a state agency for surplus property, or sold by TSA as excess property.

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When taking your laptop through airport security, you must either have it in a so-called checkpoint-friendly bag, or you'll need to remove it from your luggage entirely. If you need to remove it, place it in a scanning bin by itself to go through the X-ray machine.

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For example, TSA guidance is very clear: If prohibited items are found during security checks, they won't be returned to their owners. That may vary in other countries, but the general rule is that confiscations are permanent.

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Items that are not allowed in checked luggage
  • Aerosols (in most cases) ...
  • Any device containing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries. ...
  • Bug spray. ...
  • Christmas crackers. ...
  • Compressed gases. ...
  • Corrosive or oxidizing chemicals. ...
  • Cremated remains. ...
  • Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons.


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Do customs open every package to verify information? No, customs officers will not open up your package or packages without good reason. Every package is put through a scanner machine, or an x-ray machine, to verify that the items you are shipping match your customs forms.

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