TSA Rules for International Travel

The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, is in place to protect transportation systems in the United States. Primarily in place to oversee air travel security, the TSA has put forth policies and procedures for travelers to follow for both domestic and international flights to ensure each flight operates without incident.

Liquids and Gels

Since a botched attempt to ignite an explosive aboard a British airliner in 2006, the TSA implanted new rules pertaining to liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage. It is best remembered by the slogan "3-1-1." Bottles should be 3.4 oz. or less in a 1- qt.-size bag, one per passenger. You may bring as many 3.4-oz. bottles of liquid or gel through security as you can fit into the quart bag. The bottle containing the substance must hold 3.4 oz. or less. You may not bring through a 5-oz. bottle, with less than 3.4 oz. in it. Once at the security checkpoint, you must place your quart bag into one of the security bins to be X-rayed. You may pack larger bottles of liquids and gels in your checked baggage.

Shoes and Outer Garments

In 2003, the TSA instituted a regulation that requires all shoes and outer garments to be removed before passing through the metal detector. This aids in prohibiting any items from being smuggled onto an aircraft inside your shoes sole or in a hidden coat pocket. Your shoes and coats should be placed in a security bin and sent through the X-ray machine.

Laptops

The TSA also screens larger electronic devices to ensure they have not been tampered with. Your laptop, specifically, needs to be removed from your luggage and placed into its own security bin to be run through X-ray machines for examination. In recent months, the TSA has allowed your laptop to remain in your luggage as long as your bag unzips to either a butterfly, tri-fold or sleeve style. This allows the X-ray machine to get a clear, flat view of your laptop.

Identification

All traveling passengers must present their airline-boarding pass and a valid form of identification to the TSA agent at the screening checkpoint. If you are a United States or Canadian citizen, you may use your driver's license, passport, permanent resident card, border crossing card or Native American tribal photo ID. If you are a citizen from another country, you must use your passport to enter the security checkpoint.

Prohibited Items

There are still a few items that are never allowed through security in a carry-on item. When packing for your trip, it is best to remember if an item is sharp, sporting equipment, anything related to a gun (ammunition, gun powder, etc.), tools longer than 7 inches (excluding hammers which are not permitted) or martial arts and defense equipment, then it should be packed into your checked luggage. Although these items are not permitted with you in the cabin, you are allowed to transport them in the cargo hold.

References

• Transportation Security Administration