The common carry-on items that could get you in trouble at the airport

June 8, 2026 — 5:00am

Passengers heading through Melbourne’s Avalon Airport on the morning of May 21 found themselves caught up in a bomb scare. The airport was partially shut down for several hours after security screening identified a suspicious package. Domestic flights were delayed while police and bomb disposal experts investigated. When the package was finally examined, the contents turned out to be a laser hair-removal device and a container of hot chocolate. Police detained the bag’s owner during the investigation, but he was later released without charge.

Laser hair-removal devices are hand-held objects with electronics, optics, wiring and, in some models, batteries. They look like a small hair dryer, or vaguely like a pistol, and their image on a security scanner would likely trigger a red light. While the device is not inherently dangerous, it’s understandable that security staff would not be doing their job if they did not probe further when presented with an image they cannot readily identify.

There’s a bunch of items that can cause you problems at airport security. The list includes multi-tools, bundled cables, travel irons, hair dryers and, if you must, electric-powered coffee makers. There’s no need to take any of these in carry-ons, stash them in your checked baggage and you should speed through the scanning process. The same applies to duty-free liquor, if possible stow it in your checked luggage, surround it with soft clothing and the risk of breakage is minimal, and you’ll save yourself a world of pain. But there are some items you absolutely want to have in your carry-ons rather than in checked luggage, and some of those items can raise questions when passing through security checks.

Medications

Prescription medications can cause headaches for passengers, especially when passing through the UAE. While most travellers with medications not have any issues, the UAE has strict rules surrounding certain meds containing narcotics, psychotropic substances and some sedatives. Meds that are routinely prescribed in Australia can fall into restricted categories.

For any traveller carrying such products through the UAE, even if they’re in transit, medications should be carried in their original packaging, along with a copy of the doctor’s prescription. The medications should be only a reasonable quantity for personal use. If you need to carry a substantial quantity, for example before a long European holiday, get a letter from your doctor describing the condition being treated and the medication prescribed. For travellers bringing meds into the UAE, check the official website on Permitted Prescriptions/Drugs.

Liquids

For most international and regional flights, the standard limit for liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) is individual containers not exceeding 100 millilitres. That’s not a lot, and there are plenty of moisturisers, sunscreens and other cosmetic items above that figure. Exceptions are generally made for medicines, special dietary requirements and baby foods or milk needed during the flight. A doctor’s prescription or presentation of a baby is usually a sufficient demonstration of need.

But this is where it gets complicated because the new generation of Computed Tomography (CT) scanners that are appearing more frequently at airports are more effective at detecting substances that pose a threat. These airports will usually allow a much greater quantity of LAG items to be carried in individual containers, up to two litres in some cases. However, there is no way of knowing with 100 per cent certainty which airports have CT scanners installed. Unless you’ve travelled through previously, you’re better off sticking to the 100-millilitre maximum.

Security staff have a job to do and arguing with them is a mug’s game.

Lithium batteries

Since they’re a fire hazard, lithium batteries must be carried on aircraft as hand luggage. The standard limit for power banks on aircraft is 100 Watt-hours (Wh), roughly equivalent to 27,000 mAh. That’s not going to be a problem with most power banks or camera batteries or even consumer drone batteries, but some heavy-duty batteries such as those used in e-bikes, electric scooters and professional drones are well over that limit. While most airlines will permit batteries rated from 100Wh to 160Wh on board provided the passenger obtains pre-authorisation, any battery over 160Wh is a no-fly item. If you need such a high-powered battery, the only option is purchasing it at your destination.

What about coconuts?

Adding another layer of complication, the rules about what you can and can’t carry on board an aircraft are not universal. In India, it’s not allowed to carry a coconut on flights, but in Australia, Europe or North America, that’s not a problem. Who would want to carry a coconut on an aircraft? Well, in India, a coconut is a sacred item that might have been blessed by a priest, but according to India’s airlines it’s a potential fire hazard, and therefore the ban.

Power banks can cause problems in China. Since June 2025, power banks without the China Compulsory Certification (CCC)​ mark have been prohibited on board aircraft. This rule also applies on domestic legs of international connecting flights. Power banks with unclear or unreadable markings will also be pinged at airport security checkpoints. Several other airlines – including Qantas and Virgin Australia – have since issued similar bans, at least as far as actually using the devices on planes is concerned.

What should I do if I’m pulled up?

If you are pulled up at the airport security screening, co-operation is key. They might seem to be officious, unfair or even hostile, but security staff have a job to do and arguing with them is a mug’s game. In the case of the laser hair-removal device at Avalon, authorities claim the passenger initially failed to cooperate and that was largely the reason for the four-hour shutdown. Flights were halted, passengers delayed and the flow-on effects would have impacted aircraft movements for the rest of the day – over a simple cosmetic device.