TSA LOCK^® is a global security system which allows passengers to lock their luggage, while permitting security authorities to inspect them without damage. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was the first security agency to use the system.

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) does not typically "put" a new lock on your bag; rather, if your bag was inspected, they utilize the TSA-approved lock you already had to relock it after their search. In 2026, if you use a lock with the "Travel Sentry" red diamond logo, TSA agents can use a universal master key to open it without damaging your suitcase. If your bag was flagged for a manual search (often due to dense electronics, organic powders, or "unidentified" items on the X-ray), the officer will perform the inspection and is required by protocol to relock the bag before it is sent to the aircraft. You will usually find a "Notice of Baggage Inspection" slip inside your luggage if this occurred. If you used a non-TSA-approved lock, the TSA is legally authorized to cut it off to perform the search, often leaving your bag unsecured for the rest of the journey. In 2026, using an approved lock is considered essential to ensure your bag remains protected from casual theft by baggage handlers while still being accessible to federal security screeners.