Travelers Can Pass Through TSA With This Surprising Artist's Gear

Snow globes, peanut butter, cast iron pans, walking sticks, toy swords, dog food ... the list of unexpected items TSA won't allow through security is long, confusing, and, in some cases, doesn't really make much sense. Especially when you consider how often seemingly harmless items get confiscated, while other potentially dangerous ones pass through. However, as anyone who's ever had a too-big bottle of sunscreen confiscated at the airport will tell you, the TSA doesn't play around when it comes to enforcing the rules. So, unless you want to spend precious airport time getting hassled and flagged by TSA agents for not complying, it's always best to just follow their guidelines to a tee.

Surprisingly, though, out of all the banned items and regulations out there, there's one intimidating piece of sharp, mechanical equipment that most TSA agents usually have no trouble letting through: tattoo guns. Yeah, those same needle-packed devices that artists use to create permanent body art are perfectly fit to travel in your carry-on luggage — as long as you follow a specific set of special instructions. And while packing your tattoo machine for a flight might take a little bit of extra planning, it's actually pretty straightforward once you understand the rules.

Since newer tattoo machines often contain lithium batteries, TSA regulations actually require you to avoid packing them in your checked luggage due to safety concerns. Instead, they need to be in your carry-on — same with separate tattoo pen battery packs. Luckily, this requirement ultimately works in your favor — giving you added peace of mind by ensuring you get to keep your valuable equipment close pretty much anywhere you go. Additionally, you need to ensure that the machine won't accidentally start up if your bag gets knocked around or, worse, if a TSA agent decides to open it up and inspect it by hand.

With that in mind, you'll always want to make sure that your tattoo gear is well-packed and secure inside your bag to avoid any costly damages. Hard cases with padded interiors usually work best for protecting your gear from the hard knocks of airport life, but bubble wrap and foam inserts can also easily help if you don't have a specialized travel bag. As for accessories, the TSA has previously confirmed that needles and ink are both allowed in your carry-on with no issues (per @AskTSA via X, former known as Twitter). However, since it's considered a liquid, all ink must follow their 3-1-1 rule, which means it's strictly limited to 3.4 ounces or less per container.

Finally, once you're at the security checkpoint, make sure you let TSA agents know that you're carrying tattoo equipment before your bags go through the scanner. Not only will this make things easier for everyone around you (agents and other passengers alike), but it might also save you the hassle of having to go through any additional screening procedures because the X-ray machine detected something unusual in your luggage.