Dangerous goods

You can find detailed information about the transport of electronic devices and batteries via the following link: Electronic devices and batteries

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin

Quantity restriction:

• max. 2 kg/2 L (total net quantity of all items) per passenger
• max. 0.5 kg/0.5 L (net quantity) per item

Toiletries are medical, cosmetic or non-radioactive items, such as:

• hairspray
• perfume and eau de cologne
• medical items containing alcohol, such as nasal sprays containing alcohol and
• hand sanitiser containing alcohol.

Spray cans/aerosols for sport and personal domestic use:

• Only non-poisonous and non-flammable hazard subcategory 2.2 spray cans/aerosols for sport or personal domestic use without subsidiary hazard are permitted.

Transport regulations for spray cans/aerosols:

• Release valves on aerosols must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent the inadvertent escape of their contents.

Note:

• Please also observe the general safety regulations for commercial liquids, gels or sprays in carry-on baggage.

Items used for self-defence are prohibited in carry-on baggage and checked baggage.

Examples of items used for self-defence:

• Stunning equipment and devices for shocking, such as stun guns, tasers and stun batons, or equipment for stunning and killing livestock
• Disabling and incapacitating chemicals or substances, such as “knock-out drops”, mace, pepper sprays, capsicum sprays, tear gas, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Not permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin
• Transport approval required (for firearms and ammunition only)

Ammunition quantity restriction: max. 5 kg gross weight per individual item of baggage and passenger

Transport regulations for ammunition:

• Only hazard subcategory 1.4S ammunition classed UN0012 or UN0014 is permitted.
• Explosive or incendiary projectiles and black powder are prohibited for transport.
• The ammunition must be securely protected against movement and impact (without empty spaces) in a sturdy container made of wood, metal or cardboard.
• Only ammunition for personal use may be transported.
• The quantity permitted for several people may not be packed together in one or more items of baggage.

Transport regulations for firearms:

• Only sports, hunting and service weapons are permitted for transport.
• Weapons of war are prohibited for transport.
• Every weapon (pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun) must be secured and unloaded and appropriately packed in a designated, locked, sturdy, secure transport container made of wood, metal, hard-shell material or Styrofoam, for example. Passengers must provide this container themselves.
• Multiple weapons are permitted per transport container.
• Additional airport fees may apply depending on local security measures.
• If the firearm contains a lithium battery, the regulations for the carriage of loose batteries or portable electronic devices with installed batteries apply. You will find information about this in the sections "Replacement batteries and loose batteries" and "Portable electronic devices with lithium batteries for your personal use" at Electronic devices and batteries

Other regulations:

• Any object in the shape of a weapon, such as toys or “replica/dummy weapons”, as well as other weapons, such as archery bows, arrow guns, starting pistols, soft guns, components of firearms (except telescopic sights), compressed air and carbon dioxide weapons (e.g. pistols, air rifles, rifles and BB guns), signal pistols, harpoon and spear guns, slingshots and catapults and other small defensive weapons like knives, daggers, stilettos or swords may only be transported in checked baggage.
• Lighters in the shape of a weapon as well as any electroshock weapons (e.g. stun guns or tasers) and weapons with explosive or flammable projectiles are entirely prohibited.

Note:

• Firearms and ammunition must be packed in separate items of baggage.
• We recommend that you secure all bags or transport containers containing firearms or ammunition with an integrated or separate lock.
• The bag or transport container must be secured with an integrated or separate lock on flights to/from Italy.
• Due to strict security regulations, it is not possible to take weapons to/from certain destinations. The SWISS Service Centre will be happy to provide you with further information.
• Information about fees for the transport of firearms is available at Fee information for firearms.
• Transport approval from the airline is required for firearms and ammunition.
• Please register firearms and ammunition via the contact form when booking your flight.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin

Unit restriction: max. 5 L total net quantity per passenger^*

Quantity restriction:  max. 5 L per container^*

*Applies only to alcoholic beverages with more than 24% alcohol by volume up to a max. of 70% alcohol by volume.

Transport regulations:

• The alcoholic beverages must be in their original packaging as sold.
• Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol by volume are prohibited for transport.

Note:

• Alcoholic beverages with less than 24% alcohol by volume are not classed as dangerous goods.
• The consumption of alcoholic beverages brought on board by passengers themselves is prohibited.

Permitted or not permitted?

Fireworks, flares and explosives are prohibited for transport.

This includes, among others, the following items:

• sparklers
• smoke canisters and smoke cartridges
• explosives and incendiary materials as well as explosive and incendiary devices, fireworks, distress flares, party poppers, Christmas crackers and other pyrotechnic items
• detonators and fuses
• dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives
• mines, grenades or other explosive military items
• detonators
• replicas or imitations of explosive devices

Permitted or not permitted?

• Not permitted in or as checked baggage
• Not permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin
• Allowed on your person

Unit restriction: 1 small pack of safety matches or 1 small lighter^*

^*For personal use only and filled with liquid gas. May not contain any other unabsorbed liquid fuel.r

The following items are prohibited:

• lighter fuel or lighter fluid
• lighter refill packs
• strike-anywhere matches
• Blue Flame lighters or cigar lighters
• Zippo lighters
• lighters in the shape of a weapon
• lighters powered by a lithium battery without a safety cap or other security mechanisms against unintentional activation

Note:

• In some countries, the transport of matches or lighters is prohibited.

Permitted or not permitted?

Camping stoves are prohibited for transport.

Replacement cartridges for camping stoves are also prohibited for transport.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin
• Transport approval required

Only hazard subcategory 2.2 non-poisonous and non-flammable gas without subsidiary hazard is permitted.

Quantity restriction: max. 4 gas cartridges per passenger

Capacity restriction: max. 50 mL water capacity per gas cartridge. (In the case of carbon dioxide, this size is equivalent to a 28 g gas cartridge.)

Transport regulation:

• The gas cartridges or cylinders must be packed in such a way that they cannot be activated accidentally.

Note:

• Nitrous oxide (N2O) is prohibited for transport due to the subsidiary risk 5.1.
• You will find detailed information about transporting compressed air cylinders and empty oxygen cylinders in the “Diving equipment” section under sports equipment.
• Transport approval from the airline is required for gas cartridges or cylinders.
• Please register gas cartridges or cylinders via the contact form when booking your flight.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Not permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin
• Transport approval required

Weight restriction: max. 5 kg gross weight per cylinder

Transport regulations:

• Cylinder valves and regulators, where fitted, must be protected from damage that could cause the inadvertent release of the contents.
• Oxygen gas cylinders or air cylinders must be transported in manufacturer-approved outer packaging that protects the outlet valve.

The following items are prohibited:

• chemical oxygen generators
• equipment or containers with liquid gas
• personal oxygen canisters (“canned oxygen”)

Note:

• Flights to/from/within the USA: oxygen gas cylinders are prohibited on these flights.
• Transport approval is required for oxygen gas cylinders or air cylinders used for medical purposes.
• For CPAP devices, please read the CPAP information sheet and send the information required for technical approval to your booking centre, the SWISS Service Centre or directly to medicalservices@swiss.com no later than 48 hours before departure.

Go to the medical details form

Go to the CPAP information sheet

Go to information about the use of oxygen devices on board

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin
• Transport approval required

Unit restriction: 2 units per passenger

Life jackets and other self-inflating safety equipment are equipped with a release mechanism that uses gas and is subject to special transport regulations as a dangerous good.

Definition of “self-inflating safety equipment”: a self-inflating personal safety device designed to be worn by one person.

Quantity restriction for gas cartridges:

• max. 2 small integrated gas cartridges with non-toxic and non-flammable gas of hazard subcategory 2.2. without subsidiary hazard (e.g. carbon dioxide)
• In addition, no more than two small replacement gas cartridges (e.g. carbon dioxide) per piece of equipment may be transported. 

Transport regulations:

• The integrated gas cartridge(s) may only be used for self-inflating purposes.
• The equipment must be packed in such a way that it cannot be activated accidentally.
• Self-inflating safety equipment with pyrotechnic release mechanisms of hazard subcategory 1 is prohibited for transport.

Note:

• A life jacket or other self-inflating safety equipment requires transport approval from the airline.
• Please register your life jacket, life vest or other self-inflating safety equipment via the contact form when booking your flight.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin

Quantity restriction for transport in the cabin: max. total volume of 350 mL

The following substances are exempt from this regulation:

• Medicines, baby food and human remains in the form of ashes
• Powder-like substances bought at shops in the airport security area, if they are packed in a sealed, transparent container

Note:

• Powders or similar substances of less than 350 mL in total volume may also be prohibited from being carried in carry-on baggage if, for example, there is doubt about the authenticity of the material.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Not permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin

Unit restriction: 1 unit per passenger

Transport regulations for medical or clinical thermometers:

• Small medical or clinical thermometers containing mercury for personal use must be packed in a protective case.

Meteorological thermometers and barometers with mercury are prohibited for transport.

Permitted or not permitted?

Allowed on your person: Implanted or externally attached pacemakers or other medical devices containing radioisotopes, including devices powered by lithium batteries, are permitted for transport.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Not permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin

For safety reasons, the following objects are not allowed in carry-on baggage:

• crowbars, drills and drill bits (including cordless portable power drills)
• tools with a blade or shaft longer than 6 cm and capable of being used as a weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels
• saws, including portable cordless saws, blowtorches, nail guns and pneumatic staplers
• pointed or sharp objects, such as chopping tools (axes, hatchets and cleavers), ice picks, razor blades, box cutters, knives or scissors with a blade length of more than 6 cm (measured from the hinge)
• martial arts equipment with a sharp point or sharp edge, such as swords and sabres
• blunt objects, such as baseball and softball bats, clubs, batons, truncheons, martial arts equipment and maces

Note:

• Combustion engines and petrol-powered devices and tools (e.g. chainsaws and emergency generators) are entirely prohibited for transport.
• You can find further information and transport regulations regarding the transport of electronic tools and batteries under  Electronic devices and batteries.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin

Quantity restriction: max. 1 L combustible liquid per outer packaging

Permitted non-infectious samples and specimens:

• stem from, for example mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects and other invertebrates;
• contain small quantities of flammable liquids UN 1170, UN 1198, UN 1987 or UN 1219; and
• must adhere to the following transport regulations.

Transport regulations for inner packaging:

• Variant 1: The samples or specimens are wrapped in a paper towel and/or gauze moistened with alcohol or an alcoholic solution and are also packed in a heat-sealed plastic bag.
• Variant 2: The samples or specimens are packed in a vial or secure container that contains alcohol or an alcoholic solution.
• Any free liquid in the container must not exceed 30 mL.
• The packaged samples and specimens are then packed in another heat-sealed plastic bag with absorbent material.

Transport regulations for external packaging:

• This plastic bag must then be packed in strong outer packaging with suitable cushioning material.
• The total quantity of flammable liquid per outer packaging must not exceed 1 L.
• Once the outer packaging is sealed, it must be labelled “Scientific research specimens, not restricted Special Provision A180 applies”.

Note:

• Infectious samples or specimens, such as blood samples, tissue, fungi or bacterial and viral cultures that can infect humans or animals, as well as substances marked UN3373, are prohibited for transport.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin
• Transport approval required

Quantity restriction: max. 2.5 kg net weight of dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) per passenger

Transport regulations:

• Each item of checked baggage containing dry ice must be labelled with the additional tag “Dry Ice” or “Carbon dioxide, solid”. Furthermore, an indication of the net weight of the dry ice contained or an indication that the net weight is 2.5 kg or less is required.
• The packaging must be able to allow gas to escape.
• Dry ice in solid form (carbon dioxide) is only permitted as a cooling agent for perishable goods that do not themselves constitute dangerous goods.

Note:

• Transport approval from the airline is required for dry ice (solid carbon dioxide).
• Please register your dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) via the contact form when booking your flight.

Permitted or not permitted?

Magnetised materials designated UN2807 are classed as dangerous goods and are prohibited for transport. There are exceptions for materials with a low magnetic field strength in quantities for personal use.

Examples of (prohibited) UN 2807 magnetised materials are

• ferromagnetic metals and shielding materials with a relatively high magnetic field strength, such as magnetrons;
• unshielded permanent magnets without installed holding rods; and
• magnetised objects with a magnetic field strength that produces a compass deflection of 2 degrees at a distance of 2.1 m, i.e. at least 0.418 A/m or 0.000525 gauss.

Due to their low magnetic field strength, the following may be carried in quantities for personal use:

• consumer goods containing magnets, such as common refrigerator magnets, magnetic kitchen knife holders, mobile phone or credit card cases, or plug-in devices with a magnetic connector
• shark-repellent armbands with a magnetic field (e.g. Sharkbanz): these armbands must be transported in the manufacturer’s transportation box.
• Electromagnets as found in various devices, such as detectors, are permitted if they are completely switched off, protected against accidental activation or disconnected from their power source.

Permitted or not permitted?

Oxidising substances and organic peroxides are prohibited for transport.

This includes, among others, the following items:

• Bleach or bleaching powder
• Swimming-pool chemicals
• Dyes

Permitted or not permitted?

• Not permitted in or as checked baggage (only spare fuel cartridges are permitted in checked baggage)
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin

Fuel cell systems and spare fuel cartridges for powering portable electronic devices, such as cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers and camcorders, must be packed securely to prevent damage.

Quantity restriction for spare cartridges: max. 2 items per passenger

Volume restrictions for fuel cells or fuel cell cartridges:

• liquids: max. 200 mL
• solids: max. 200 g
• liquid gases: max. 120 mL for non-metallic fuel cells or fuel cell cartridges or max. 200 mL for metallic fuel cells or fuel cell cartridges
• hydrogen in metal hydride: max. 120 mL water capacity

Transport regulations for fuel cell cartridges:

• Each fuel cell cartridge must have a label indicating that it conforms to the specifications of IEC PAS 62282-6-100 Version 1 including Amendment 1 and must indicate the maximum quantity and type of fuel.

Transport regulations for fuel cell systems:

• Fuel cell systems must be labelled by the manufacturer as “Approved for carriage in aircraft cabin only”.
• The fuel cell systems must not charge the electronic device when the device is not in use.
• Fuel cell systems may only contain flammable liquids, corrosive substances, liquid gases, water-reactive substances or hydrogen in metal hydride. Fuel cell systems whose only function is to charge a battery in a device are prohibited.
• Recharging/refilling fuel cells on board is prohibited; only the installation of replacement cartridges may be carried out on board.

Permitted or not permitted?

Transport approval is required for insulated packaging (dry shipper).

Insulated packaging containing chilled liquid nitrogen (dry shipper) completely absorbed in porous material:

• may only be used for products that are not themselves classed as dangerous goods;
• may not allow pressure to build up inside the container; and
• may not allow cooled liquid nitrogen to escape, regardless of the position of the insulated packaging (dry shipper).

Note:

• For more information on the transport of “Samples or specimens”, please see the section on “Non-infectious samples and specimens containing small amounts of flammable liquids”.
• Transport approval from the airline is required for insulated packaging (dry shipper).
• Please register your insulated packaging (dry shipper) via the contact form when booking your flight and inform us about necessary transport requirements (e.g. in an upright position).

• Permitted in or as checked baggage if the transport regulation below is observed
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin if the transport regulation below is observed

The transport regulation below relates to parachutes with a pyrotechnic automatic activation device (AAD), such as Cypres AAD.

Transport regulation:

• You must carry with you written documentation from an authorised national authority with details of the automatic activation device (AAD) as well as confirmation that the device is not classified as a dangerous good.

Note: If this transport regulation is not observed, transport is prohibited.

Permitted or not permitted?

• Permitted in or as checked baggage
• Permitted in or as carry-on baggage in the cabin

Quantity restriction: 1 device per passenger

Transport regulations:

• The use of hairstyling devices powered by hydrocarbon gas cartridges is prohibited on board.
• The safety cover must be securely fitted over the heating element.

Note:

• Gas refill packs for hairstyling devices that use hydrocarbon gas cartridges are prohibited for transport.
• More information about taking hairstyling devices with lithium batteries with you can be found under Electronic devices and batteries.

Permitted or not permitted?

Security-type attaché cases and cash boxes/bags are prohibited for transport.

Permitted or not permitted?

Permeation devices used to calibrate air quality monitoring systems may only be carried in checked baggage.

The following additional items are prohibited both in checked baggage and in carry-on baggage:

• containers with flammable liquids, such as paints, varnishes, thinners, cleaning agents, solvents or petrol
• containers with non-flammable paints
• highly flammable materials and articles, such as grill lighters, fuel paste, butane or propane gas bottles, dry spirit, fuel or charcoal
• poisonous, toxic or infectious materials and substances, such as mercury, rat poison, insecticide, arsenic, cyanide, or bacteria and virus cultures or infectious laboratory samples
• caustic and corrosive substances, such as acids, alkalis, bases or wet batteries, rust protection or rust removal substances, sulphur dioxide solutions or chemical sets
• radioactive materials and objects
• substances that emit flammable gases upon contact with water, such as carbide
• carbon dioxide cartridges (CO₂) for mineral water treatment above 50 ml
• combustion engines and petrol-powered equipment and tools (e.g. lawn mowers, chainsaws, emergency generators). This applies regardless of whether the equipment or tools are new (in original packaging) or used.
• flammable, non-flammable, refrigerated and toxic propellants
• fragile items, such as televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators or PC screens
• Breachpens/thermal lance/magnesium cutting tool
• Signal horn