Air Travel

From ShaveWiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 United States Transportation Safety Administration Guidelines 3 UK Department for Transport 4 Canadian Air Transport Security Authority 5 Liquids and Gels 6 Suggestions for Travelers

Introduction

Please note that this information could change at any time. Please consult the relevant webpages before your trip to see if any information has changed since this page was created. Note also that some information in here is based on the interpretation of the page author(s) and should not be considered authoritative.

Bluntly: It is not legal in much of the world to carry double-edged or single-edged razor blades, or straight razors, in your carry-on luggage. Attempting to bring these dangerous objects on board will potentially result in delays, arrest and prosecution.

United States Transportation Safety Administration Guidelines

From the TSA webpage[1]: prohibited items include "Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors." In other words, no loose razor blades except those contained in multi-blade cartridges and disposables, but razors with no blades in them are okay. More broadly: if the objective of the TSA is to prevent access to weapons that could be used to disrupt air travel or harm individuals, then any access to disposable SE or DE razor blades is a priority, whether those blades are contained in a razor, an unopened pack (tuck) of blades, or in any way accessible during a flight.

If you have further questions or want a clarification, call the TSA Contact Center directly at 1-866-289-9673.

Regarding the "safety razors" exception, there is some interpretation required of the term "safety razor", and this interpretation has led some individuals to assume that a DE or SE razor is allowed as a carry on item, even with the blade installed in the razor.

• "Safety razor" meaning cartridge razors or cartridge-shaped disposable razors (Mach 3, Bic Sensitive, and the like) are allowed in carry on luggage. Such razors (with very narrow blades held in a cartridge or head that prevents any deep cut) would be nearly impossible to use as a weapon.
• "Safety razor" meaning DE or SE (with no blade installed) are apparently allowed since there is no way to cut or harm someone with such an item.
• "Safety razor" meaning DE or SE (with blade in) are prohibited: in a safety sense, the removable or loose disposable blades are no different than a box cutter. The blade could be removed and then used to harm someone.

In all cases, travelers should consult the above telephone number for clarification and not rely on hearsay or personal interpretations of the TSA regulations.

UK Department for Transport

From the DFT webpage[2], prohibited items include "Open razors and blades (excluding safety or disposable razors with blades enclosed in cartridge)". If there were any doubt, they exclude items "that have the potential to be used as a pointed or edged weapons."

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

From the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority webpage:[3] safety razors -- including disposable razors, and razor blade cartridges are allowed on board; straight razors are not allowed on board, and neither are razor blades (that are not enclosed in a cartridge). All of these items may be checked.

Liquids and Gels

Per the TSA webpage[4]: Travelers may not bring liquids or gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml/100 grams), and all liquids and gels must fit in a standard one-quart ziploc bag, the length + width dimensions of which are < 40 cm. Note that shaving creams count as a gel, and balms are either a gel or a liquid. Therefore shaving balms, creams, after shaves, colognes, pre/post oils, etc. must adhere to the TSA standards for liquids in carry-on luggage. Also note the container's maximum volume must be 100 ml or less--not just the actual amount of product left. For instance, if you have a half-full 200 ml tube of shaving cream, it will not be allowed in your carry on luggage.

Suggestions for Travelers

Common suggestions for travelers carrying their shave equipment in carry-on luggage include:

• Mail razor blades ahead of time

• Purchase razor blades at the destination

• Pack razor blades and/or straight razors in checked luggage

• Substitute your usual DE or straight blade with a cartridge or disposable razor during your trip

• Carry a printout of the TSA webpage stating that safety razors are allowed as carry-on items, provided you are not carrying loose double-edged or single-edged blades.

• Use a shave stick or soap when you travel to avoid packing and/or declaring a shave cream, since shave cream is considered a gel.

• If you do not use shave sticks or hard soaps, consider taking a shave cream you don't mind losing, such as a mostly-used tube of an inexpensive brand

• use sample-sized containers of shaving products or obtain small jars/bottles from travel or camping stores