Can You Bring Scissors On A Plane? Avoid Stress At Security!

Grey Globetrotters Travel Blog contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclaimer for more information.

Are you wondering, “Can you take scissors on a plane?” We’ve got you covered!

Flying can be tedious, and plenty of people (like me) like to spend some of the time with small craft or stitching projects. And that begs the question, “Can you bring scissors on a plane?”. Is it allowed? And, will you run into problems going through airport security if you try to take scissors in your hand luggage?

The simple answer is “Yes”, you can take scissors in hand luggage, but there are rules about how you pack them and the size and shape of the blades.

So, let’s take a look at how to carry scissors on a plane in one of your personal items. After all, you don’t want the stress of explaining to a security officer why you are carrying a prohibited item in your carry-on luggage!

By the end of this post, you’ll have all the information you need about travelling with scissors to answer your question, “Can I Bring Scissors in My Carry On Bag?”

Important Information: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific rules about what you can pack in your hand luggage, including sharp objects. These state that you can bring scissors in your carry-on item, where the blades are 4 inches or less from the pivot point to the blade’s tip. You’ll need to pack any longer scissors in your checked baggage (or leave them at home).

Planning Your Trip? Use Our Favourite Resources!

Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Tours: We recommend Viator and Get Your Guide
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Skyscanner
Travel Insurance: We recommend Travel Insurance Master

The TSA rules for scissors are covered under the general TSA sharp object rules, which govern carrying any sharp object that could be used as a weapon. These rules are strict, so I will go through them below to ensure you fully understand them and don’t get your type of scissors confiscated.

The TSA also has clear liquid rules. These include a list of items, such as toiletries, food items and baby food. The TSA liquid rules also specify the amount of liquids permitted to be carried in carry-on bags.

Can you bring scissors through TSA?

You can only take scissors in hand luggage through airport security if the blades are 4 inches (6cm) long (or less) from the pivot point to the blade’s tip.

Good to know: If you accidentally put larger scissors in your hand luggage, they will show up on the x-ray machine and will be confiscated.

Can you bring scissors on a plane — Remember to empty your pockets before going through airport security!

If you have a pair of scissors in your pocket and forget to remove them, they will set off the metal detector as you walk through it. A TSA agent will pull you aside for a pat-down search or scan with a metal-detecting wand. When the scissors are discovered, they will be confiscated if they are too large, and you may be taken to be screened in a full-body scanner.

The TSA website has clear rules about sharp items, which are strictly enforced. It’s worth noting that the final decision rests with the TSA officer – and some will confiscate scissors of any size with a sharp point.

📌 The TSA rules require any scissors packed in your carry-on to be securely wrapped to prevent injury to any TSA agents who manually search your bag. The best place to store them is in your travel toiletries bag.

Similarly, if you carry knives in your checked bags, they should be sheathed and securely wrapped so that they cannot stick out of your bag and injure a baggage handler.

>>> Check the rules you must follow on the TSA or UK Gov websites for up-to-the-minute information.

Can you use scissors on a plane?

Yes, you can use scissors that meet the TSA rules on a flight. So, you can keep busy whether you enjoy crafting, sewing, or quilting!

You can also use cuticle scissors for a relaxing manicure during the flight but don’t even think about applying nail polish or using nail varnish remover.

Can you bring scissors on a plane in a carry-on bag?

Yes, you can take small scissors through the security checkpoint in hand luggage, provided the blades are 4 inches or less from the pivot point to the tip.

📌 Once you’ve passed through the TSA checkpoint, you may be able to buy a pair of scissors in one of the airport stores. They won’t sell scissors with long blades, but you may be able to find a small pair of folding safety scissors in a pharmacy or child safety scissors/craft scissors in a newsagent or bookstore.

Can you bring scissors on a plane in checked luggage?

Yes, you can carry scissors of any size in your checked baggage. You must wrap them securely to prevent injury to baggage handlers.

Can I take scissors on international flights?

Yes, the TSA rules are the same for international and domestic flights.

What sharp objects can you bring in a carry-on?

You can take the following sharp things through airport security in your hand luggage:

nail clippers, manicure scissors, cuticle cutters and other nail care tools
brow tweezers
knitting needles, crochet hooks, sewing needles
disposable razors

Bizarrely, you can also carry a bottle opener or a corkscrew in your hand luggage – but you can’t use them!

📌 Can you bring razors on a plane? Can you bring knives on a plane? Knives (including swiss army knives), straight razors, safety razors, or spare blades are not allowed in your carry-on bag, but they can be packed in a checked bag.

Why are scissors not permitted on planes?

As scissors have sharp blades, there is a risk that they could be used as a weapon. As a result, only scissors with blades at most 4 inches are allowed in a carry-on bag on a plane. Larger ones can only be carried in checked baggage.

FAQs: Can you bring scissors on a plane?

Still wondering, “Can I take scissors on a plane?” Here a some of the questions other people often ask:

Can you bring embroidery scissors on a plane?

Embroidery scissors with blades smaller than 4 inches from the pivot point are allowed in carry-on or checked bags. If longer than 4 inches, they must be packed in checked bags.

Are nail scissors allowed on planes?

Nail scissors tend to be very small. Pack these in your hand luggage, provided the blades are less than 4 inches from the pivot point.

Can you bring hair cutting scissors on a plane?

As hairdressers’ scissors also tend to be quite small, you can carry these in your cabin bag if the blade length meets the TSA rules.

Can you fly with trauma shears?

You can take trauma shears (medical scissors used by medical staff) on a plane in carry-on bags if the blades are less than 4 inches long. If longer than that, they must be packed in a checked bag.

Are small scissors allowed on planes?

Yes. You can carry small scissors in your cabin bag if the blades are less than 4 inches long.

Can you take scissors in your suitcase?

Yes. In a cabin-sized suitcase, the scissors should meet the TSA rules; however, you can take scissors on a flight regardless of size if you pack them in your checked baggage.

What scissors can I take on a plane?

You can take any scissors on a plane in your checked baggage. In your cabin baggage, the scissors must meet the TSA rules, with a blade less than 4 inches, including small nail scissors and embroidery scissors.

Can you bring kid scissors on a plane?

If your kid’s craft scissors have a small blade (less than 4 inches), you should be able to carry these in your hand luggage.

Can you bring manicure scissors on a plane?

As manicure scissors are typically small, you should be able to pack these in your hand luggage (provided the blade is less than 4 inches long).

Can you take scissors on a domestic flight?

The TSA rules on carrying sharp objects on flights are for both domestic and international flights. You can carry all types of scissors in your checked luggage on a domestic flight and scissors in hand luggage with a blade of less than 4 inches.

Wrap-Up: Can you bring scissors on a plane?

Still wondering about packing scissors in hand luggage? You can pack scissors in carry-on baggage, provided the size of the scissors does not exceed 4 inches from the pivot point to the tip of the blade.

So you can pack confidently and carry craft or nail scissors on a plane in your hand luggage.

Anything larger than this must be packed in your checked bags.

Related Packing Posts