Category 1 — Liquids, gels, aerosols
| Item | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Water / soft drinks | Max 100 ml in zip-lock | No limit |
| Shampoo, lotion, sunscreen | Max 100 ml in zip-lock | No limit |
| Aerosol deodorant / hair spray | Max 100 ml in zip-lock | Max 500 ml/container, 2 L total |
| Perfume / cologne | Max 100 ml in zip-lock; or duty-free STEB | No limit |
| Alcohol > 70% ABV | Banned | Banned |
| Alcohol 24-70% ABV | Duty-free STEB only | Max 5 L per passenger |
| Coconut/mustard oil | Max 100 ml in zip-lock | No limit; leak-proof |
| Baby food / formula / breast milk | ✓ Exempt | No limit |
| Prescription medicines | ✓ Exempt — carry prescription | No limit |
Category 2 — Sharp objects and tools
| Item | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Knife / pocket knife | Blade ≤6 cm OK | ✓ Allowed |
| Kitchen knives | Banned | ✓ Allowed |
| Scissors | Blade ≤6 cm | ✓ Allowed |
| Tools >18 cm (screwdriver, hammer) | Banned | ✓ Allowed |
| Knitting/sewing needles | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
| Nail clippers, tweezers | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
| Razor blade (loose) | Banned | ✓ Allowed |
| Safety/disposable/electric razor | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
Category 3 — Lithium and electronics
| Item | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Power bank ≤100 Wh | ✓ Cabin only (max 2) | ✗ Banned |
| Power bank 100-160 Wh | Cabin with airline approval | ✗ Banned |
| Power bank >160 Wh | ✗ Banned | ✗ Banned |
| Laptop / tablet / phone | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed (off) |
| Spare lithium batteries | ✓ Cabin only | ✗ Banned |
| E-cigarette / vape | ✗ BANNED IN INDIA | ✗ BANNED IN INDIA |
| Hoverboard / e-scooter | ✗ Banned | ✗ Banned (most airlines) |
Category 4 — Flammables and weapons
| Item | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Butane lighter / matchstick book | 1 unit on person | ✗ Banned |
| Torch / arc lighter / Zippo with fuel | ✗ Banned | ✗ Banned |
| Petrol / kerosene / lighter fluid | ✗ Banned | ✗ Banned |
| Fireworks / sparklers | ✗ Banned | ✗ Banned |
| Gas cylinder (LPG, butane) | ✗ Banned | ✗ Banned |
| Pepper spray / mace | Cabin allowed up to 118 ml | ✓ Allowed |
| Firearms | ✗ Banned | With arms licence + approval |
| Replica / toy guns | ✗ Banned | ✓ Allowed |
Category 5 — Indian-specific items
| Item | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Sindoor (vermilion) | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
| Turmeric, spices | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
| Agarbatti (incense) | ✓ Allowed (unburnt) | ✓ Allowed |
| Coconut (whole, fresh) | Allowed; intl biosecurity | ✓ Allowed |
| Coconut oil ≤100 ml | In LAG bag | No limit |
| Mehendi cone | LAG rule applies | ✓ Allowed |
| Idol / murti (small) | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
| Conch shell (shankh) | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
| Kirpan (Sikh ceremonial) | ✗ Banned on Indian flights | Allowed |
Category 6 — Food
| Item | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Khakhra, thepla, dry farsan | ✓ Allowed (sealed) | ✓ Allowed |
| Sandwiches, parathas, rotis | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
| Wet curries, gravy, dal | Max 100 ml in LAG bag | If leak-proof |
| Pickles, achaar | Max 100 ml in LAG bag | ✓ Allowed |
| Sweets / mithai (boxed) | ✓ Allowed | ✓ Allowed |
| Fresh fruits, whole vegetables | ✓ Allowed domestic; intl declare | Intl biosecurity |
Completely banned in India (cabin AND checked)
- E-cigarettes / vapes / e-hookahs (PECA Act 2019) — criminal offence including for transit foreigners
- Fireworks of any kind
- Explosives and detonators
- Radioactive materials (except medical isotopes declared)
- Toxic and infectious substances
- Hoverboards / lithium-powered scooters (most carriers)
- Cash > ₹50,000 (must be declared)
- Foreign currency > USD 5,000 equivalent (RBI declaration)
- Gold > 1 kg per passenger (Customs declaration)
If you accidentally pack a banned item
- Declare proactively at security — most cabin-banned items can be moved to checked
- If discovered: cooperate. Some items confiscated; others can be checked-in
- Inadvertent customs items: surrender. No fine for accidental.
- Deliberate violations (e-cig, firearm without permit): you can face arrest. Be honest.
Frequently asked questions
What items are not allowed in flight cabin baggage in India?
BCAS prohibits these in cabin: liquids over 100 ml (except baby food/medicine/duty-free STEB), sharp objects (knife, scissors blade >6cm, razor blade loose), tools (screwdriver, hammer >18cm), firearms/replicas, flammable liquids/gels, gas cylinders, fireworks, e-cigarettes (banned entirely in India). Most allowed in checked with caveats.
Can I carry a lighter in flight India cabin or checked?
Standard butane lighters and matchsticks may be carried in CABIN baggage (on person), NOT in checked baggage per DGCA. IATA limit: 1 lighter per passenger. Torch lighters, refillable Zippos with extra fuel, arc lighters are banned in both.
Can I carry deodorant in flight India?
Yes — aerosol deodorant ≤100 ml is allowed in cabin (LAG rule). In checked, aerosol up to 500 ml per container and 2 litres total per passenger. Roll-on and stick deodorants have no 100 ml limit.
Are scissors allowed in cabin baggage India?
Small blunt-ended scissors with blades ≤6 cm (manicure scissors) allowed in cabin. Larger scissors must be in checked.
Can I carry knitting needles in flight India?
Yes — knitting needles, crochet hooks, sewing needles permitted in cabin. Not on BCAS prohibited list.
Are nail clippers allowed in cabin baggage India?
Yes — nail clippers, files, tweezers, and small grooming kits permitted in cabin. Aerosol nail polish remover NOT allowed in cabin.
Can I carry sindoor / coconut / agarbatti in flight India?
Yes — sindoor, turmeric, dried coconut, agarbatti, small puja items allowed in both cabin and checked. Loose whole coconuts allowed but may attract security scrutiny on intl. Coconut oil follows the 100 ml LAG rule.
Are e-cigarettes / vapes allowed on Indian flights?
E-cigarettes and vapes are BANNED entirely in India under the PECA Act 2019. Cannot be carried in cabin, checked, or used at any Indian airport. Violation is a criminal offence.
Sources
- BCAS Aviation Security Manual — Prohibited Items List (Annex A)
- DGCA CAR Section 8 Series M — Carriage of Dangerous Goods
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
- Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019
- RBI Master Circular on Cash Carriage
- CBIC Customs Duty Rules
Related: Power bank rules · Liquid 100 ml rule · BCAS one-bag rule · Valid ID for domestic flight