What can I pack in my checked luggage?

Dangermouse99

Hi, it's been a while since I've packed a checked luggage and wanted to take specific materials. The world is ever changing, I am flying to America and wanted to know if I could pack the following in my checked-in luggage (i.e. not the bags I carry with me to my seat):

• metal water bottle
• shaver, gillette type razor
  
• electric shaver/stubble trimmer with charger
  
• toothpaste (80ml)
  
• can of deoderant (150ml spray)
• couple of bottles of shower gel/shapoo (250ml)

Apologies if this is rather stupid, I don't think I've ever tried taking a few of them before so thought I'd best check. I had a quick scan on the TSA website (I think that's the best website to check on) and I think I'm ok.

I may tweet them a pic of the items if they are responsive, I just don't wanna take any chances!

Brie

Check the airline website - they're usually quite specific.  But what you mention looks perfectly acceptable to me.  The only questions I might have are with the electric shaver/charger and whether it's a good idea to pack a aerosol deodorant.  Neither are things that I use but the rest is standard stuff in my wash bag.  Well not the metal bottle but I wonder why take it at all.  Easier, lighter to use a plastic one.  (as much as I love my Sigg bottle.....)

Ayr_Rage

Any item with batteries must go in hand luggage.

Westin

I don’t see any issues with your list. 

The only thing that personally I might avoid would be the metal water bottle. Not because you are not permitted to pack it in your luggage but that it might possibly look suspicious on an x-ray and the bag require secondary screening 

jimi_man

Ayr_Rage said:

Any item with batteries must go in hand luggage.

That’s not the case. Some batteries can go in hold luggage. Electric shavers (the OP quoted this) for example, with batteries, can be placed in hold luggage as can other items with AA type batterie for example.  Checking the airline’s policy is the best way to avoid any problems. 

OP, In terms of your list it looks fine to go in checked luggage. 

gwynlas

Unless you need a very specific shampoo conditioner I would not bother due to risk of breakage and purchase when there.

NoodleDoodleMan

Ayr_Rage said:

Any item with batteries must go in hand luggage.

Specific instructions from the US authorities.

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/lithium-batteries-baggage

I pack my "guilty" camera batteries in clear plastic coin bags that you can pick up from High Street banks - then place them in a transparent zip top pencil case as sold for school pupils in supermarkets - mine was 50p in Asda.

Very straightforward when passing through security scanners at airports.

Incidentally - you can buy regular cosmetics and toileteries etc. cheaply enough in the US - save the hassle of carrying such in hand luggage.

Will your electric shaver operate / recharge on 120 volts ?

Dangermouse99

Thank you all for the helpful comments!

NoodleDoodleMan

One afterthought - last time we flew to the USA we used small padlocks to secure the zip eyes on the hold luggage, as per many years of travelling.

A waste of time - the security goons at Newark airport snapped them off before we collected our cases - now we always use plastic cable ties - and take a few spares. 

If your luggage is opened it's easy enough to resecure them in the airport.

Won't stop determined unauthorised access (neither will padlocks) - but it helps prevents unplanned accidental spilling of luggage contents coming off the conveyor belt.

A small pair of nail cutters in the carry on luggage in case of need.

 

DullGreyGuy

NoodleDoodleMan said:

One afterthought - last time we flew to the USA we used small padlocks to secure the zip eyes on the hold luggage, as per many years of travelling.

A waste of time - the security goons at Newark airport snapped them off before we collected our cases - now we always use plastic cable ties - and take a few spares. 

If your luggage is opened it's easy enough to resecure them in the airport.

Won't stop determined unauthorised access (neither will padlocks) - but it helps prevents unplanned accidental spilling of luggage contents coming off the conveyor belt.

A small pair of nail cutters in the carry on luggage in case of need.

 

You can get "TSA Locks" which have a keyhole that takes a master key that the US Customs have.  In theory this means they can lock/unlock your case but your average baggage handler can't. Some even have an indicator to show if a master key has been used to open the lock so you can tell if someone's been in or not. 

The obvious downside is that inevitably the TSA master keys have gotten into the wild plus even though you have a TSA lock with the logo to tell TSA they can use their key there are accounts of them still cutting some locks off. 

Neil49

Here's a link to the Government website

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/electronic-devices-and-electrical-items

Electric shaver is definitely ok