Can you bring a razor on a plane? | TSA rules for Disposables, Safety Razors, and Electric
You've just booked your flight and thinking about packing your suitcase and dopp kit with all of the things you will need for your trip.
- Toothbrush, Check
- Toothpaste, Check
- Deodorant, Check
- Shampoo, Check
- Razor, Ummmm
Can you bring a razor on a plane?
It all depends on the shaving razor. Here is an image from TSA depicting the different types of razors and the TSA rules for each.
As of December 2021 the following is the official guidelines of the TSA
Disposable Razor in Checked Bags: Yes
Disposable Razor in Carry On Bags: Yes
Electric Razor in Checked Bags: Yes
Electric Razor in Carry On Bags: Yes
Razor type blades in Checked Bags: Yes
Razor type blades in Carry On Bags: No
Safety Razor in Checked Bags: Yes
Safety Razor without Blades in Carry On Bags: Yes
Can you bring a safety razor on a plane?
Yes, According to TSA you can have a Safety razor double edge or single edge in your checked luggage or carry-on luggage on the plane without blades.
Double Edge or Single Edge Razor Blades?
TSA does not allow for you to carry any type of razor blades in your carry on luggage. They may be placed in your checked luggage. Just make sure you put them in a safe place that is well protected in order to not harm you or others while going through your luggage.
Razor blades in your Carry on Bags is strictly prohibited and not allowed on any flights.
Can you bring straight razors on a plane?
According to TSA guidelines straight razors must be in checked luggage and strictly prohibited in carry on bags.
Disposable Razors TSA
TSA classified disposable razors in two categories. One with a single piece razor with handle and head that is not interchangeable. The other being a cartridge type razor where you can replace the head and keep the handle.
Both types of razors are considered disposable by TSA and are permitted in both carry on luggage and checked luggage
Can you bring dry shampoo on a plane?
Checked luggage is approved.
Carry on approved if it is less than 3.4 ounces/100ml per TSA guidelines
Can you bring Shaving Soap on a plane?
This one is a bit more tricky since there are no official guidelines for Shaving Soap that I came across from TSA. Here is my story instead.
I have spent plenty of time in airports flying domestically and internationally. I recently took a few trips and can report back about my experiences with TSA and going through security with my shaving soap, shaving brush, Safety razor, and DE razor blades.
Here is my experience with four different flights both domestic and international from very small to very large airports.
Flight number One
This trip was a domestic flight that departed from a very small local airport and flying to a large city within the U.S.
Due to it being such a short trip, I squeezed everything in my carry on luggage including my dopp kit with all my toiletries and shaving gear.
My Dopp Kit contained a double edge safety razor, cartridge razor just in case my safety razor was confiscated, 4oz container of shaving soap, a shaving brush, and a small bottle of aftershave ~1 ounce.
I went through security without any problems. The entire kit remained in my luggage as it went through the scanner and nobody mentioned anything, so I picked it up on the other side and caught my flight. Everything in my kit was according to the TSA guidelines I guess it's not such a surprise.
Flight number Two
This was another domestic flight and planned to head back home from my first trip. In other words I was departing from a large airport flying back to the small one that I had originated the trip on.
Nothing changed in my luggage, it was a carry on bag with a Dopp kit that included Shaving Soap, Safety Razor, Cartridge Razor, Shaving Brush, and a small bottle of aftershave. During my trip I didn't get to use my Safety Razor since I didn't have any blades and couldn't find them easily in the city that I was in.
When going through security this time the TSA agent noticed something and asked me to take a look inside my bag. He opened up the dopp kit and glanced at the shaving soap and aftershave, and then picked up the razor. He was inspecting the head looking for the blade. I explained that I had removed the blade and he said cool and then packed it up.
Flight number Three
This was going to be an international flight and departing from a large airport in the U.S. to another large airport in another country.
I decided to check my bags this time and since I wanted to travel with safety razor blades, I thought it was probably best to place the razor blades in my checked luggage. All of the other items I kept in my carry on just to confirm there was no issues traveling with shaving soap, aftershave, safety razor, or cartridge razor.
While going through security, the agent saw the safety razor, removed it, inspected, and then placed it back in the dopp. No mention of the shaving soap or aftershave this time either.
Flight number Four
This was my return international flight from a large airport back to a large airport. My dopp kit contained all of the same contents as flight number three and the safety razor blades were in my checked luggage again.
The TSA agent found the razor again, inspected and put it back in, no concerns about shaving soap or aftershave, or cartridge razor in the carry on luggage.
Summary
My flights and experiences with TSA while traveling were at multiple airports and different combinations of razors and blades in my carry on and checked bags. Many agents are nice and polite while others are rude and have a superiority complex.
I'm sure someone has examples where their shaving soap or razor has been taken, but I really think the biggest concerns are the blades and liquid (aftershave, and shaving oils) greater than 3.4 ounces. Here are the official guidelines from TSA for liquids, gels, and creams
If you are traveling soon I’m sure you will be fine with your cartridge or double edge razor, shaving soap, small bottle of aftershave, but I would either check your double edge blades or find a place to buy them when you arrive at your destination. You might not find your favorite blades, but target, cvs, and Walgreens usually have a small pack that will get you by for a short time.
The best option is to obviously place all of your shaving gear in your checked luggage so you don't need to worry about it at all, however this is not always an option for short trips.
Carry On allowed - safety razor (without blades), shaving soap, aftershave <= 3.4oz, shaving oil <= 3.4oz
Checked luggage allowed - safety razor, safety razor blades, straight razor, shaving soap, aftershave > 3.4oz, shaving oil > 3.4 oz
Not allowed on carry on - shaving oil > 3.4oz, aftershave > 3.4oz, razor blades
Here are the official TSA razor guidelines that I found out about after my above trips. Make sure you follow them so you get where you're going safely and you aren’t forced to hand over any of your gear.
Safe Travels and let me know if you have a different experience or feedback that you would like to share.