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Security Requirements & Dangerous Goods


Prohibited items in carry-on baggage

For a detailed list of Transport Canada prohibited items (e.g. liquids, gels, etc.) in carry-on baggage please refer to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority CATSA web site.

For specifications regarding permitted types and quantities of liquids and gels, as well as accepted packaging, please consult the Reminder to Travellers (pdf file, 267 KB).

Canada's policy on prohibited items may vary from that of other countries. For restrictions departing from other countries, please consult the following web sites:

Customers are advised that this list is not comprehensive, and are urged to check with their local airport operators before travelling.


Electronic “luggage locators” not allowed

Transport Canada has advised all airlines that the use of electronic “luggage locators” are not recommended on the exterior of any bag. Until further notice, customers will be required to remove the electronic devices from all bags prior to check-in. Customers can place the device on the inside of their checked or carry-on baggage or on their person. Transport Canada requested that airlines advise customers that the devices have not yet been approved by Transport Canada and must not be activated.  


Locking of checked baggage

The US Transportation Security Administration has issued the following information to passengers arriving into the United States and connecting to other flights or continuing on the same flight.

For your security, the TSA is screening all checked baggage. In some cases, screeners will have to open your baggage as part of the screening process. If your bag is unlocked, then TSA will simply open and screen the bag. However, if the bag is locked and TSA needs to open your bag, the locks may have to be broken.

You may keep your bag locked if you choose, however, passengers who elect to lock their checked baggage must do so with the understanding that this process may result in damage to locks and/or baggage delays.

TSA and your airline are not liable for damage to locks resulting from this mandatory security measure. For more details visit the TSA website.  


Damage to camera film

New security screening can damage your camera film. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is deploying new screening equipment for checked baggage that will damage photographic film, but does not affect digital disks. The new checked baggage screening equipment is consistent with the types being deployed at airports in the U.S. and around the world. Passengers are advised to pack their film in carry-on baggage.

(The equipment used for carry-on baggage at pre-board screening areas will not damage film with an ISO/ASA under 800. However, multiple exposures of the same roll of film to a pre-board x-ray inspection may cause damage. Passengers may request a hand search at pre-board screening to avoid potential damage to film). For more details visit the CATSA website.  


Travelling to Europe?

Passengers travelling to European Union (EU) countries are asked to take note of stringent regulations that apply to the importation of restricted products such as meat and milk products for personal consumption.

Certain meat and milk products are allowed to enter the EU, such as the following:

  • Powdered infant formula, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons, provided:
    • The product does not require refrigeration before consumption;
    • it is a packaged registered trademark or proprietary brand product;
    • the packaging is intact.

Passengers wishing to bring other types of meat or milk products into the EU must:

  • Obtain, prior to travel, all necessary documentation from official veterinary services of the country from which they are travelling (the documents must state that the goods conform to all requirements for entry into the EU);
  • declare all such goods and present related documentation upon arrival at an authorized EU border inspection post for veterinary control.

All meat and milk products that do not conform to applicable regulations will be confiscated and disposed of at the EU border inspection post. Failure to declare meat and milk products may result in a fine or criminal prosecution.

Policies on restricted items vary from one country to another. Passengers should learn about restrictions as they apply to their destination by consulting websites like the following:

Dangerous Goods

The following items are either strictly regulated or forbidden as carry-on or checked baggage:

Air purifiers and ionizers Air purifiers and ionizers are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Batteries

  • Accepted batteries

    • Lithium metal or alloy cells and batteries:
      • Only cells or batteries (both installed and spare) with a maximum lithium content of 2 g are accepted.
    • Lithium ion cells and batteries:
      • Spare lithium ion cells or batteries with a rating of less than 100 Wh, may be carried in a reasonable quantity.
      • A maximum of two (2) individually protected spare lithium ion cells or batteries with a rating of between 100 Wh and 160 Wh may be carried per passenger, pending approval by Air Canada airport agents.

    If installed in an electronic device, accepted batteries can be carried in both carry-on and checked baggage.

    If carried as spares, accepted batteries:

    • must be placed in carry-on baggage. No spare batteries are accepted in checked baggage.
    • must be individually protected to prevent short circuits, e.g. exposed terminals can be taped over, each individual battery can be in a protective pouch or separate plastic bag, or batteries can be in their original retail packaging.
    Exception: spillable and non spillable batteries for battery-powered mobility aids (e.g. wheelchairs) are accepted in checked baggage, but require special handling. See our Wheelchair and mobility aid assistance page for more information.
Butane, curling irons, lighters Curling irons containing hydrocarbon gas are accepted provided the safety cover is securely fitted and items remain limited to one (1) per passenger.

Fuel refills for lighters or curling irons are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage.

Only one (1) butane lighter (Bic-type) is allowed to be carried on one’s person. No other type of lighter will be accepted in either carry-on or checked baggage. Please note that for departures from the United-States, Bic-type lighters are the only lighters accepted past US pre-clearance checkpoints.
Compressed gas, cylinders (see also: Oxygen) Camping gas, oxygen/propane/nitrogen cylinders, and fire extinguishers are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage.

Exception: scuba tanks, oxygen tanks and paintball cylinders can be accepted in checked baggage provided the customer can demonstrate that the regulator/valve has been removed from the cylinder.

Further exception: CO2 cylinders for the operation of mechanical limbs are accepted.
Corrosive items Acids, alkalis, rust-preventing or removing compounds, sulfur dioxide solution, chemical kits and mercury are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Dry ice Dry ice is often used in the packaging of perishable items (i.e. fish, seafood) to keep them cool. Items packed in dry ice can travel as either carry-on or checked baggage provided:
  • The box, carton or container:
    • does not exceed 2.5 kg (5 lbs) in weight (total weight of 2.5 kg is for carry-on baggage and checked baggage combined per passenger)
    • is properly vented to allow for the release of carbon dioxide gas
    • is in good condition (free from leakage or other damage)
  • Furthermore, passengers wishing to travel with dry ice container as checked baggage must:
    • arrive at the airport at least one hour prior to departure to allow for proper handling of dry ice and
    • sign a declaration form certifying that the package is in good condition and providing a description of contents.
Note: Dry ice containers are not permitted in checked baggage connecting to other airlines due to special handling requirements
Explosives Any explosive device is strictly prohibited in carry-on or checked baggage.
Items include: dynamite, plastic explosives, fireworks, signal flares, sparklers, blasting caps, bearbangers.
Firearms and ammunition Firearms
  • There is a fixed handling charge for the carriage of firearms anywhere Air Canada flies: $50 CAD/USD plus applicable taxes for one-way travel.
  • Hunting rifles and shotguns are accepted as checked baggage only, and must be unloaded.
  • The firearm must be inhibited from being fired by using a secure, locking device mechanism on the weapon, called a "Trigger Lock".
  • The firearm must be packaged in a specially designed, non-see through case that cannot be easily broken into during transport.
  • Before Air Canada accepts the firearm you must sign a declaration form attesting that the gun is unloaded as well as a limited release form.
  • Restricted firearms such as handguns require government documentation for transport. Consult the Canadian Firearm Center or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for complete details.
  • Passengers travelling to Seoul, South Korea and planning on bringing firearms into that country must contact Air Canada Reservations  prior to travel for specific security requirements.
Ammunition
  • Ammunition is only accepted in checked baggage and must be packaged separately from the firearm.
  • Ammunition allowance is limited to 5 kg (11 LB) per passenger.
  • Only shells or cartridges are acceptable types of ammunition.
  • Gunpowder and gunpowder pellets are strictly prohibited.
  • Ammunition must be packed securely in a strong container of wood, metal or fiberboard, plainly marked 'ammunition', or in the original inner carton.
  • To avoid shock movement, the carton must be placed inside a suitcase and cushioned with clothing.
Flammable items Items not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage include: Petroleum spirits, oil-based paint, lacquer, stains, shellac, oils, wood alcohol, lighter or heating fuels, papier maché statues/piñatas, matches, charcoal briquettes, and any other ignitable article.

Note: Safety matches or a lighter intended for use by an individual is permitted only when carried on the person.
Gasoline-powered equipment Used fuel containers/tanks are not accepted as carry-on or as checked baggage. To transport used equipment contact your local Air Canada Cargo office.

Lawn mowers, chain saws, grass trimmers, etc.
For any item where the fuel tank is a permanent part of the equipment, only new products in the original unopened packaging can travel as baggage.

Exception: Camping stoves. Air Canada accepts new camping stoves as checked baggage if they are unopened and in the original packaging.
MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) MREs - Meals Ready to Eat and self-heating meals or beverages are not permitted on board our aircraft. Nor are they permitted in checked or carry-on baggage.
Oxydizing materials Bleaching powder and peroxides are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Oxygen for medical purposes Personal oxygen cylinders, oxygen generators, and liquid oxygen are not accepted as carry-on or checked baggage.

For customers requiring supplemental oxygen during flight, the only accepted sources of medical oxygen are:
  • the Air Canada Medipak unit and,
  • certain models of Personal Oxygen Concentrators (POCs). For detailed information, please refer to the POCs and Special Services sections.
Paint Oil-based paint, latex paint, lacquer, stains, shellac, and oils are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage. Please contact your local Air Canada Cargo office for shipment of these items.

Exception: Tubes of oil-based and latex paint used by artists are accepted provided the customer is in possession of the material safety data sheet confirming a non-hazard and provided the material is packaged in absorbent material and placed in a heavy, plastic leak-proof bag/container.
Poisons Arsenic, cyanide, insecticide, pesticide/weed killer and any other types of poisonous substances are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Radioactive materials Radium, plutonium and polonium are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Repellants Dye witness spray, wild animal spray, mace and pepper spray are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Seafood (brine) Brine spillage from fish and seafood is corrosive. Lobsters, mussels, oysters etc. must be packaged in leak proof containers and then be packed in plastic bags inside *waxed* cartons. Perishable items require that a limited release form be signed at check-in.
Security attaché cases Suitcases installed with heat, smoke, gas or dye alarms are not accepted as carry-on or as checked baggage.
Toiletries (aerosols) Toiletry/medicinal articles including hairspray, medicines containing alcohol, perfume, and cologne are only accepted provided the total capacity of such articles does not exceed 2 litres (2 kg / 75 fl. oz.) and the net capacity of each single item does not exceed 1 LB (0.5 kg / 18 fl. oz).