Can I Fly With This?
Can I bring tools on a plane?
Quick rules for flying with tools in carry-on and checked baggage. Verdicts and conditions across the major aviation regions below.
🇺🇸 United States (TSA)
Tools 7 inches (17.8 cm) or shorter (measured tip to tip) are allowed in carry-on — except hammers, drills with bits, and saws which are always checked. Longer tools must go in checked baggage.
🇪🇺 European Union (EASA)
Most work tools (hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers >6 cm, drills, saws) must be in checked baggage.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (CAA)
Tools that could be used as weapons (hammers, drills, large wrenches, screwdrivers >6 cm) must go in checked bags.
🌎 Latin America
Tools > 6 cm (hammer, drill, saw, wrench) to checked baggage. Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile all follow ICAO baseline.
🌏 Asia (ICAO / IATA baseline)
Most work tools (hammer, wrench, screwdriver > 6 cm, drill, saw) must be in checked baggage. Same as EU baseline across Asia. Japan especially strict on anything resembling a weapon.
🇦🇺 Australia & Pacific (CASA)
Tools > 6 cm to checked baggage. Australia + NZ follow ICAO baseline.