Can you take gifts on a plane?

The simple answer is yes. TSA rules don’t prohibit flying with gifts. If you’re flying for the holidays, a wedding, a birthday, or any other occasion, you can bring your gifts with you.

But… there are some essential rules for flying with gifts. Here’s what you need to know.

When flying with gifts, leave them unwrapped.

The TSA recommends using gift bags or gift boxes that can be opened, so TSA officers can inspect gifts if needed.¹

The TSA may open wrapped gifts even if they’re in checked luggage. If a package looks suspicious, or if the scanner can’t tell what’s inside, a TSA agent is permitted to unwrap the gift for additional inspection.²

Long story short: Don’t wrap your gifts, unless you want to run the risk of wrapping them again at your destination. Pack gift bags or wrapping material separately.

Know which gifts are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage.

Should you pack your gifts in your carry-on or checked bag? Choose wisely!

Gifts to pack in your carry-on

• Anything with a lithium battery, such as laptops, cameras, tablets, etc. (these are prohibited in checked baggage)
• Jewelry and other valuable items
• Irreplaceable items with sentimental value, such as old photographs, scrapbooks, or heirlooms

Gifts to pack in checked luggage

• Snowglobes, Magic 8 balls, or anything that contains liquid (smaller snowglobes can be packed in your carry-on bag if the entire snowglobe, including the base, can fit into a quart-sized, resealable plastic bag.)
• Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging.
• Sports equipment, such as bats or golf clubs (pickleball paddles and tennis rackets are fine in carry-on)
• Toy weapons, or toys resembling a weapon — even a foam sword or a water gun
• Multi-tools, pocketknives, or other tools
• Canned goods
• Any liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz./100 ml
• Cologne or perfume larger than 3.4 oz./100 ml

Gifts you can’t take on a plane

• Christmas crackers or party poppers (they contain small amounts of gunpowder)
• Sparklers
• Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol (over 140 proof)
• Fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and other prohibited food products (if flying internationally)

Read more: 20 Things You Should Never Pack in Checked Luggage

Not sure if you can fly with a specific gift? Check the TSA’s full “What Can I Bring?” list here.

Pack liquid gifts with multiple layers of protection.

The risk of traveling with a bottle of expensive wine—or perfume, or Scotch—is that it will shatter or leak, soaking your belongings. To keep liquid gifts safe in checked bags, leave nothing to chance.

• Wrap the top in tape to prevent it from leaking or coming off
• Seal the bottle in a zip-lock bag, or an inflatable wine bag.
• Pad breakable items with bubble wrap or clothing.

Use extra care when packing a fragile gift.

A hand-blown glass octopus. An antique vase. A porcelain figurine. If you’re traveling with something fragile, your best bet is to cushion it carefully, pack it in a hard case, and take it as your carry-on. It’s wise to attach some “fragile” stickers as well.

Still worried about flying with your fragile gift? Think about shipping it instead. If you often travel with breakable items, such as camera equipment or specialized electronic gear, you may want to invest in a high-quality travel case, such as a Pelican case.

Be aware that baggage insurance excludes fragile or brittle items from coverage.

Check your airline’s policy for flying with bulky or awkward items.

A bicycle. A life-size plush lion. A Christmas tree. If you’re trying to fly with a gift that’s oversize or oddly shaped, it’s best to check with your airline about how best to do it.

Delta, for instance, has some helpful advice on flying with oversized items. One option is buying an extra seat for your item (as long as it’s less than 165 pounds). For some items, you may need to sign a release that limits the airline’s liability.

Consider the cost of flying with presents (and adjust your gift giving accordingly).

You want to be the fun aunt who shows up with a suitcase packed with presents. But is that worth the cost of paying to check an extra bag? Also: Will your recipients have to travel home with their gifts? Don’t make their life harder!

It might make more sense to:

• Give gift cards or other presents that take up minimal space
• Purchase gifts at your destination
• Buy all your gifts online and have them shipped
• Give experiences, subscriptions, or memberships rather than tangible items

And if you’re flying to a destination wedding, ship the gifts later (unless the newlyweds live in the same town as the wedding.)

Always purchase baggage insurance.

Any time you’re flying, get travel insurance that includes solid baggage benefits. This part of your plan can protect you against loss, theft, damage, or delay of your baggage and personal items when you’re traveling. Just make sure you read you read the details in your plan, so you know the maximum limit for reimbursement, what’s covered and what’s excluded, etc. Get a quote now!

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