Most travellers are well-versed in the list of items banned from carry-on luggage, but fewer are aware of the constantly evolving blacklist impacting their checked baggage. Due to recent global Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) updates, specific everyday items – many of which seem harmless – are now strictly prohibited or severely limited in the aircraft’s hold. Assuming that if an item can’t go in your hand luggage, it must be safe for the hold, is a costly mistake that risks delays, luggage searches and the permanent removal of your possessions.
The chief culprit in these updates is the risk of fire. Common aerosol products, such as large cans of hairspray or shaving foam, can now be banned entirely or restricted to minuscule amounts. Crucially, the rules concerning lithium-ion batteries are intensely strict: large power banks and certain batteries inside devices must be in the cabin, not the hold, where a spontaneous fire cannot be attended to. To ensure a smooth journey, always check your airline’s current HAZMAT list before packing, and when in doubt about an item, the safest bet is often to leave it behind.
