First Aid Kit
Basic first aid kits are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, but a few individual contents have their own size or liquid rules.
Carry-on
Allowed with conditions
Checked
Allowed
Carry-on details
Allowed with conditions. Bandages, gauze, tape, and most over-the-counter ointments and pills in a first aid kit pass through security without issue. Two common contents have their own rules: scissors must have blades under 4 inches (10 cm) from the pivot point to stay in carry-on, and liquid or gel items (antiseptic, ointment) over 3.4 oz (100 ml) must follow the standard 3-1-1 rule unless they qualify as a medically necessary liquid, in which case declare them to the officer at the checkpoint.
Checked-bag details
Allowed. Checked baggage has no liquid-volume limit and no blade-length limit for a first aid kit, though sharp items should be sheathed or wrapped so baggage handlers aren't at risk.
Special instructions
Check each item in your kit against its own rule — small scissors, tweezers, and OTC pills are unrestricted, while larger scissors or bulk liquids belong in checked baggage.
Related rules
FAQ
- Can I bring scissors in a first aid kit through security?
- Yes, as long as the blade is under 4 inches (10 cm) from the pivot point. Longer scissors need to go in checked baggage.
- Do the liquids in my first aid kit need to fit in a quart bag?
- Regular-size liquid or gel items, like a small antiseptic tube, follow the standard 3.4 oz per container / quart-bag rule. Larger, medically necessary quantities can be declared separately at the checkpoint.
Related items
Source: TSA — What Can I Bring? · Last verified: 2026-07-30
Final decision rests with the security officer at the checkpoint.