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Transport Canada > Civil Aviation > Commercial & Business Aviation > Dangerous Goods Standards > Regulatory Overview > Passenger's Luggage

As a general rule passengers are not permitted to transport dangerous goods on board an aircraft in their carry-on or checked baggage. Lists of common items that may be prohibited due to the presence of dangerous goods can be found via the links below:

There are many items, however, that passengers can carry in their carry-on or checked luggage. They are as follows:

Alcoholic beverages:  Passenger may bring alcoholic beverages, in retail packaging, containing more than 24 per cent but not more than 70 per cent alcohol by volume, in receptacles not exceeding 5 L, with a total net quantity per person of 5 L.

Note - Alcoholic beverages containing 24 per cent alcohol or less are not subject to any restrictions.

Boxed cartridges:  With the approval of the operator(s), passengers may bring securely boxed cartridges (UN0012 or UN0014 only) as checked baggage only, in Division 1.4S, in quantities not exceeding 5 kg gross mass per person for that person's own use. Ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles is prohibited. Allowances for more than one per person must not be combined into one or more packages.

Cardiac pacemakers:  Passengers may bring radio-isotopic cardiac pacemakers or other devices, including those powered by lithium batteries, when implanted in their bodies, or radio-pharmaceuticals contained within their bodies as the result of medical treatment.

Consumer electronic devices:  Passengers may bring consumer electronic devices (watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, laptop computers, camcorders, etc.) containing lithium or lithium ion cells or batteries when carried for personal use. Spare batteries must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each spare battery must not exceed the following quantities:

  • for lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams; or
  • for lithium ion batteries, an aggregate equivalent lithium content of not more than 8 grams.

Lithium ion batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of more than 8 grams but not more than 25 grams may be carried in carry-on baggage if they are individually protected so as to prevent short circuits and are limited to two spare batteries per person.

Dry ice:  Passengers may bring dry ice in quantities not exceeding 2 kg per person, when used to pack perishables that are themselves not dangerous goods or substances, provided the package permits the release of carbon dioxide gas. The packages may be in carry-on baggage; or with the approval of the operator(s), in checked baggage.

Gaseous oxygen cylinder:  With the approval of the operator(s) passengers may bring small gaseous oxygen or air cylinders required for medical use.

Hair curlers:  Passengers may bring hair curlers containing hydrocarbon gas, no more than one per person, provided that the safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element. Gas refills for such curlers are prohibited.

Heat producing articles:  With the approval of the air operator(s), passenger may bring heat-producing articles (e.g. battery-operated equipment such as underwater torches and soldering equipment, which if accidentally activated, will generate extreme heat and can cause fire) in carry-on baggage only. The heat producing component, or the energy source, must be removed so as to prevent unintentional functioning during transport.

Medicinal or toilet articles:  Passengers may bring non-radioactive medicinal or toilet articles (including aerosols), such as hair sprays, perfumes, colognes, insect repellents or medicines containing alcohol. They may also bring aerosols that are for sporting or home use and that carry no flammable or toxic risk, in checked baggage only. The total quantity of all such articles carried by each person must not exceed 2 kg or 2 L and each single article must not exceed 0.5 kg or 0.5 L. Release valves on aerosols must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents.

Mercurial barometer and thermometers:  With the approval of the operator(s), a representative of a government weather bureau or similar official agency may bring a mercurial barometer or mercurial thermometer, as carry-on baggage only. The barometer or thermometer must be packed in a strong outer packaging, having a sealed inner liner or a bag of strong leak-proof, puncture-resistant material impervious to mercury, which will prevent the escape of mercury from the package irrespective of its position. The pilot-in-command must be informed of the barometer or thermometer.

Medical or clinical thermometers:  Passengers may bring one small medical or clinical thermometer, which contains mercury, for personal use, when in its protective case.

Safety matches or lighters:  Passengers may bring safety matches or a lighter intended for use by an individual when carried on the person. However, lighters containing unabsorbed liquid fuel (other than liquefied gas), lighter fuel and lighter refills are not permitted on one's person or in checked or carry-on baggage.

Note - Strike anywhere matches are forbidden for air transport.

Self-inflating life-jackets:  With the approval of the operator(s), passengers may bring up to two small carbon dioxide cylinders of carbon dioxide or other suitable gas in Division 2.2, per person, fitted into a self-inflating life-jacket for inflation purposes, plus up to two spare cartridges;

Small cylinders of a gas of Division 2.2:  Passengers may bring small gas cylinders of Division 2.2 (e.g. carbon dioxide, nitrogen, compressed air. etc.) worn for the operation of mechanical limbs, as well as spare cylinders of a similar size to ensure an adequate supply for the duration of the journey.

Wheelchairs or other battery-powered mobility aids with non-spillable batteries:  With the approval of the operator(s), passengers may bring wheelchairs or other battery-powered mobility aids with non-spillable batteries (see Packing Instruction 806 and Special Provision A67), as checked baggage provided the battery terminals are protected from short circuits and the battery is securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid;

Wheelchairs or other battery-powered mobility aids with spillable batteries:  With approval of the operator(s), passengers may bring wheelchairs or other battery-powered mobility aids with spillable batteries as checked baggage, provided that the wheelchair or mobility aid can always be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded in an upright position. The battery must be disconnected, the battery terminals protected from short circuits and the battery is securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid. If the wheelchair or mobility aid cannot be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded always in an upright position, the battery must be removed and the wheelchair or mobility aid may then be carried as checked baggage without restriction. The removed battery must be carried in strong, rigid packaging as follows.

  1. the packaging must be leak-tight, impervious to battery fluid and be protected against upset by securing it to a pallet or in a cargo compartment appropriately secured (other than by bracing with freight or baggage) such as by use of restraining straps, brackets or holders;

  2. batteries must be protected against short circuits, secured upright in the packaging and surrounded by compatible absorbent material sufficient to absorb their total liquid contents; and

  3. the packaging must be marked 'Battery, wet, with wheelchair' or 'Battery, wet with mobility aid' and labelled with a 'Corrosive' label and with a package orientation label.

The pilot-in-command must be informed of the location of a wheelchair or mobility aid with and installed battery or the location of a packed battery.

It is recommended that passengers make advance arrangements with each operator. As well, spillable batteries should be fitted, where feasible, with spill-resistant vent caps.

For more information on Passenger Language contact your airline operator or one of our Regional Offices.


Last updated: 2006-10-17 Top of Page Important Notices