Can You Bring a Razor on a Plane? TSA Rules for 5 Razor Styles

Are you planning a trip and wondering if you can bring a razor on a plane? Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, it’s important to know what items are allowed in your carry-on and checked luggage.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”), certain types of razors are permitted on board while others are not. This article will help you understand the various rules for different types of razors including electric razors, straight razors, safety razors, disposable razors, and razor blades.

Types of Razors you can take in your Carry-On Bag

Let’s first start with the easy ones. Here are the type of razors that you can bring with you in your carry-on as well as in your checked baggage.

Disposable Razors

Disposable razors come in two types. The type that is completely disposable (handle and all) and the type where you replace the cartridges, but keep the handle. Both types are permissible in carry-on luggage with the blade and replacement cartridges. You can bring disposable razors with you without any issue, as do not pose a safety risk.

Electric Razor

Electric razors are allowed to be brought with you in both checked and carry-on bags. This is because they are not designed to cause harm, they are not sharp objects and there is no risk of them being set on fire.

Beard Trimmers and Hair Clippers

Beard Trimmers and hair clippers with cords and cordless trimmers, are allowed in both your carry-on and checked bags. Beard trimmers and hair clippers are very similar to electric razors and are treated the same by the TSA.

They can also go in your carry-on or your checked baggage.

Types of Razors that are not allowed in your carry-on bag

Now let’s get into the razor types that the TSA considers dangerous and will not allow you to bring in your carry-on bag.

Safety Razors

You are not allowed to bring a safety razor in your carry-on luggage. This is because razor blades are easy to remove, are very sharp like knives, and could potentially be used as a weapon.

While safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade intact, you can bring them in your carry-on bag if the blade is removed and the blades are stored in your checked bag.

Straight Razors

A straight razor is very similar to a safety razor and is considered a sharp, dangerous object that is prohibited in your carry-on baggage.

You can pack your straight razor in your checked baggage. Again, the exception is if you remove the blade. Then you can pack it with your carry-on and the blades must be stored in your checked baggage.

Razor Blades

Razor blades cannot be in your carry-on bag. If you have a razor blade, it must go in your checked bag.

Can you bring Shaving Cream, Gel, or Foam on a Plane?

Shaving cream, Shaving gel, and Shaving foams are classified as a liquid by the TSA, so the TSA Liquids rule will apply.

According to the TSA, you are allowed to bring a travel-sized container of shaving cream in your carry-on luggage. However, the container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller and placed in a clear, quart-sized, plastic, zip-top bag along with your other liquids, gels, and aerosols.

If you have a larger container of shaving cream or gel, you will need to pack it in with your checked bag.

What about Shaving Soap?

The TSA guidelines do not specifically call out shaving soap. However, based on their liquid parameters it is safe to say that if it is a bar of soap, then yes, you can bring it in on the plane with you.

However, if it is a paste or a cream that is spreadable, then it qualifies as a liquid and must be less than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear plastic bag.

The Difference Between Bringing Razors in Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage

Your carry-on is a bag that you can take onto the actual plane and keep with you. You can place your carry-on/hand luggage in the overhead compartment on the plane, or you can place them underneath the seat in front of you for easier access.

Hold luggage is your luggage that must be checked in by the TSA staff, and it goes into the hold compartment of the plane. You have to drop off your hold luggage at the airport, and pick it up when you arrive at your destination.

As stated earlier, the rules are very different for what can be packed in a carry-on vs. a checked bag.

Other items that cannot go in your carry-on

There are a few things you cannot take in your carry-on, and you will be asked to remove them.

• Aerosols
• Alcohol with more than 70% alcohol content
• Ammunition
• Sharp weapons such as knives, darts, and axes
• Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosols
• Fuels
• Weapons such as firearms or hand grenades
• Mercury medical thermometers

Carry-on luggage is designated for essential items and items that cannot go into the hold of the plane.

Items that cannot go in your checked luggage

There are also things that you cannot bring in your hold luggage, and you will be made to remove these items.

• Lighters
• Butane gas
• Camp stoves
• Car parts
• Chlorine
• Air guns
• Cooking spray
• Dry ice
• Fire extinguishers
• Firearms – there may be exceptions
• Fireworks
• Laptop batteries

If you bring anything flammable or that may catch fire, you will have issues.

FAQs about bringing razors on a plane

Final Thoughts about Bringing a Razor on a Plane

Airlines typically have a lot of rules, and it can be confusing to know what you are allowed to bring, and what bags you are allowed to carry.

Electric razors and disposable are allowed in checked luggage as well as carry-on luggage. The rules for Straight Razors and Safety Razors are much more stringent. We hope you’ve learned about what you can and cannot bring in your luggage.

Related Content: