Bringing a razor in your carry-on luggage is generally permitted, but the answer depends on the specific design of the shaving tool. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) sets the guidelines for what can pass through airport security checkpoints in the United States. These regulations are designed to prevent easily weaponized sharp objects from entering the aircraft cabin, meaning the rules vary based on how exposed or removable the blade is. Understanding the distinction between different razor types is the most effective way to ensure a smooth experience at the security line.
Standard Cartridge and Disposable Razors
Travelers can confidently pack standard disposable razors and refillable cartridge razors in their carry-on bags. This category includes razors where the blade is permanently fixed or enclosed within a multi-blade cartridge unit. The design of these razors, which keeps the sharp edge securely contained, makes them acceptable for air travel.
The key factor for the TSA is that the blade is not easily accessible or detachable without specialized tools. This fixed or enclosed nature means that both the entire disposable unit and the replacement cartridges for a reusable handle are allowed in the cabin.
Prohibited Safety and Straight Razors
Razors that utilize exposed, easily removable, or non-cartridge blades are strictly prohibited in carry-on luggage due to security concerns. This restriction applies to traditional straight razors, which feature a long, exposed blade that folds into the handle, and double-edge safety razors, which use thin, single-piece blades. These items are considered potential security risks because the blades can be quickly detached and used as a loose sharp object.
If you travel with a safety razor, the handle itself is permitted in your carry-on bag, but the individual double-edge blades must be removed and packed in your checked luggage. TSA officers are not authorized to remove the blades for you at the checkpoint, meaning the entire razor will be confiscated if a blade is found inside the handle. For those traveling only with a carry-on, the safest alternative is to leave the loose blades at home and purchase replacements at your destination, or simply pack the entire razor securely in a checked bag.
Electric Shavers and Trimmers
Electric shavers and beard trimmers are permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage without restriction. These devices, whether they are foil shavers, rotary shavers, or hair clippers, contain a guarded cutting element that does not pose the same security risk as an exposed blade. The corded or cordless nature of the device does not affect its admissibility through the security checkpoint.
If your electric shaver or trimmer uses a lithium-ion battery, it is recommended to pack it in your carry-on bag. This preference is based on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, which advise keeping spare lithium batteries and devices containing them in the cabin where any potential thermal event can be quickly addressed. Small grooming scissors, often included with trimmers, are also allowed in carry-on bags, provided the blades measure less than four inches from the pivot point.