List of prohibited articles

European Union has adopted new security rules for passengers and their hand luggage. The new rules apply from Monday, 6th November 2006 at all airports in the European Union until further notice.

The new rules restrict the amount of liquids that you can take through security checkpoints. They apply to all passengers departing from airports in the EU whatever their destination.
 

  • Passengers are only allowed to take small quantities of liquids in their cabin luggage or on your person.
  • These liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 milliliters each.
  • These containers must be packed in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one liter capacity. The contents of the plastic bag shall fit comfortably and the bag shall be completely closed.

Liquids include gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurized containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, shaving foam, aerosols and other items of similar consistency. 

Exemptions may be granted if the liquid is:

  • to be used during the trip and is either required for medical purposes or a special dietary requirement, including baby food. When requested to do the passenger shall provide proof of authenticity of the exempted liquid;
  • or obtained airside beyond the point where boarding passes are controlled from outlets that are subject to approved security procedures as part of the airport security programme, on condition that the liquid is packed in a bag that is both tamper evident and displays satisfactory proof of purchase at that airport on that day; or
  • obtained in the security restricted area from outlets that are subject to approved security procedures as part of the airport security programme; or
  • obtained at another Community airport, on condition that the liquid is packed in a bag that is both tamper evident and displays satisfactory proof of purchase at airside at that airport on that day; or
  • obtained on board an aircraft of a Community air carrier, on condition that the liquid is packed in a bag that is both tamper evident and displays satisfactory proof of purchase on board that aircraft on that day.

Please see also the guidance material developed by the European Commission.

1. Prohibited articles in hand luggage:

  • Guns, Firearms & Weapons

    Any object capable, or appearing capable, of discharging a projectile or causing injury, including:

    • All firearms (Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles, Shotguns etc)
    • Replica and imitation firearms
    • Component parts of firearms (excluding telescopic sighting devices and sights)
    • Air pistols, rifles and pellet guns
    • Signal flare pistols
    • Starter pistols
    • Toy guns of all types
    • Ball Bearing Guns
    • Industrial Bolt and Nail Guns
    • Cross bows
    • Catapults
    • Harpoon & Spear Guns
    • Animal Humane Killers
    • Stun or shocking devices e.g. cattle prods, ballistic conducted energy weapons (taser) Lighters shaped like firearms
       
  • Pointed/edged Weapons & Sharp Objects

    • Pointed or bladed articles capable of causing injury, including:
    • Axes & hatchets
    • Arrows & darts
    • Crampons
    • Harpoons & spears
    • Ice axes & ice picks
    • Ice skates
    • Lockable or flick knives with blades of any length
    • Knives, including ceremonial knives, with blades of more than 6 cm, made of metal or any other material strong enough to be used as a potential weapon
    • Meat cleavers
    • Machetes
    • Open razors and blades (excluding safety razors with blades enclosed in cartridge)
    • Sabres, Swords & swordsticks
    • Scalpels
    • Scissors with blades of more than 6 cm in length
    • Ski and Walking/Hiking poles
    • Throwing stars
    • Tradesman’s tools that have the potential to be used as a pointed or edged weapon e.g. drills and drill bits, box cutters, utility knives, all saws, screwdrivers, crowbars, hammers, pliers, wrenches/spanners, blow torches
       
  • Blunt instruments

    • Any blunt instrument capable of causing injury, including:
    • Baseball and softball bats
    • Clubs or batons – rigid or flexible – e.g. Billy clubs, blackjacks, night sticks & batons
    • Cricket Bats
    • Golf Clubs
    • Hockey sticks
    • Lacrosse sticks
    • Kayak and Canoe paddles
    • Skateboards
    • Billiard, snooker and pool cues
    • Fishing rods
    • Martial arts equipment, e.g. knuckle dusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and num chucks, kubatons, kubasaunts
       
  • Explosives and flammable Substances:

    • Any explosive or highly combustible substances which poses a risk to the health of passengers and crew or the security / safety or aircraft or property, including:
    • Ammunition
    • Blasting caps
    • Detonators and fuses
    • Explosives and explosive devices
    • Replica or imitation explosive material or devices
    • Mines and other explosive military stores
    • Grenades of all types
    • Gas and gas containers e.g. butane, propane, acetylene, oxygen – in large volume
    • Fireworks, flares in any form and other pyrotechnics (including party poppers and toy caps) Non safety matches
    • Smoke generating canisters or cartridges
    • Flammable liquid fuel e.g. Petrol/gasoline, diesel, lighter fluid, alcohol, ethanol
    • Aerosol spray paint
    • Turpentine and paint thinner
    • Alcoholic beverages exceeding 70% by volume (140% proof)
       
  • Chemical and Toxic substances:

    • Any chemical or toxic substances which poses a risk to the health of passengers and crew or the security / safety of aircraft or property, including:
    • Acids and Alkalis e.g. spillable “wet” batteries
    • Corrosive or Bleaching Substances – e.g. mercury, chlorine
    • Disabling or incapacitating sprays including mace, pepper spray, tear gas
    • Radioactive material. – e.g. Medicinal or commercial isotopes
    • Poisons
    • Infectious or biological hazardous material. – e.g. infected blood, bacteria and viruses
    • Material capable of spontaneous ignition or combustion
    • Fire extinguishers

Articles listed above may only be taken aboard aircraft on the following conditions:
 

  • the passenger has no unsupervised access to such baggage from the point at which the baggage is checked in to the point where it is reclaimed at arrival and 
  • these items are not mentioned in the list of prohibited articles below.

2. Prohibited articles in hand luggage and hold luggage:

 

  • Explosives, including Detonators, fuses, grenades, mines and explosives;
  • Gases: Propane, butane;
  • Flammable liquids, including Gasoline, methanol;
  • Flammable solids and reactive substances, including Magnesium, firelighters, firework, flares 
  • Oxidizers and organic peroxides, including Bleach, car body repair kits;
  • Toxic or infectious substances, including Rat poison, infected blood;
  • Radioactive material, including Medicinal or commercial isotopes;
  • Corrosives, including Mercury, vehicle batteries
  • Vehicle fuel system components which have contained fuel.

Security staff may refuse access to a security restricted area and the cabin of an aircraft any passenger in possession of an article not contained in the list of prohibited items over which they have concern.