Avoid these common carry-on packing mistakes that can ruin your travel experience!
By
Seia Ibanez
- Replies 1
When it comes to travelling, you want the experience to be as easy and stress-free as possible. That's why some of us opt to travel with only carry-on luggage: it saves us time at the airport and keeps us from having the hassle of waiting at baggage claim areas.
But we need to be careful when packing our carry-on! Whether you plan to travel for the holidays or go on a business trip, there are certain restrictions you must comply with when travelling with only carry-on luggage. Failing to do so can lead to your items being confiscated.
To make sure that you don't become one of these unlucky travellers, here's how to avoid packing some of the most common items—many of which you wouldn't even think about!
Prohibited items
Some items with unusual shapes or sharp edges (such as kitchen utensils, garden tools or sporting equipment) may hurt other passengers and are therefore not allowed onboard.
Anything related to weapons, tools and dangerous goods is also a huge no-no. It goes without saying that if you’re unsure whether an item is allowed in your carry-on, you should check with your airline first to be safe.
Powders, liquids, gels and aerosols
When travelling domestically in Australia, you can pack powder, liquid, gel and aerosol items in your carry-on luggage. However, if you're flying from an international terminal, you must adhere to international regulations.
For organic powders, such as food or baby formula, there are no quantity restrictions for flights within Australia. However, inorganic powders must be in containers of no more than 350 grams or millilitres per passenger.
On international flights, liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers of no more than 100 grams or millilitres, and all containers must be sealed and placed in a re-sealable transparent plastic bag that is no larger than 80 cm altogether.
It's also important to know that you can't bring containers larger than their specified maximum capacity, even if the container is only partially filled. So a 500g container containing only 200 g of powder, for example, won't be allowed.
Other things to keep in mind
If you're worried about bringing too much liquid, consider packing some of your toiletries in bar form, as content creator Madame Sweat suggested. These store compactly and have several uses: shampoo bars, moisturising bars, and even body soap can all be brought with ease.
Another tip you can do is by using packing cubes. These small, zippered fabric containers in different sizes are used to pack and organise your clothing. When used properly, packing cubes can maximise your luggage space and make your trip less stressful. Plus, it’s a great way to separate your clean clothes from dirty ones during your trip.
Members, the golden rule here is always to be aware and ready for what the airlines restrict when it comes to packing.
Be mindful not to pack any items that could cause disruption at the security screening. And when in doubt, don’t bring it! Stay safe out there, and happy travelling, SDC members!
What other things should our fellow members need to know about when travelling? Share your tips in the comments below!
But we need to be careful when packing our carry-on! Whether you plan to travel for the holidays or go on a business trip, there are certain restrictions you must comply with when travelling with only carry-on luggage. Failing to do so can lead to your items being confiscated.
To make sure that you don't become one of these unlucky travellers, here's how to avoid packing some of the most common items—many of which you wouldn't even think about!
Prohibited items
Some items with unusual shapes or sharp edges (such as kitchen utensils, garden tools or sporting equipment) may hurt other passengers and are therefore not allowed onboard.
Anything related to weapons, tools and dangerous goods is also a huge no-no. It goes without saying that if you’re unsure whether an item is allowed in your carry-on, you should check with your airline first to be safe.
Powders, liquids, gels and aerosols
When travelling domestically in Australia, you can pack powder, liquid, gel and aerosol items in your carry-on luggage. However, if you're flying from an international terminal, you must adhere to international regulations.
For organic powders, such as food or baby formula, there are no quantity restrictions for flights within Australia. However, inorganic powders must be in containers of no more than 350 grams or millilitres per passenger.
On international flights, liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers of no more than 100 grams or millilitres, and all containers must be sealed and placed in a re-sealable transparent plastic bag that is no larger than 80 cm altogether.
It's also important to know that you can't bring containers larger than their specified maximum capacity, even if the container is only partially filled. So a 500g container containing only 200 g of powder, for example, won't be allowed.
Other things to keep in mind
If you're worried about bringing too much liquid, consider packing some of your toiletries in bar form, as content creator Madame Sweat suggested. These store compactly and have several uses: shampoo bars, moisturising bars, and even body soap can all be brought with ease.
Another tip you can do is by using packing cubes. These small, zippered fabric containers in different sizes are used to pack and organise your clothing. When used properly, packing cubes can maximise your luggage space and make your trip less stressful. Plus, it’s a great way to separate your clean clothes from dirty ones during your trip.
Key Takeaways
- The article provides essential tips on what not to pack in your carry-on baggage to pass the security screening smoothly.
- Prohibited items for carry-on luggage include items with sharp edges or points, sporting equipment, kitchen utensils, gardening tools, weapons and dangerous goods.
- Restrictions apply to packing powders, liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on, especially for international flights. Familiarising yourself with the rules of the Department of Home Affairs is necessary.
- TikTokers suggested travelling light and buying products as needed during the trip. They also suggested using bars instead of bottled toiletries.
Members, the golden rule here is always to be aware and ready for what the airlines restrict when it comes to packing.
Be mindful not to pack any items that could cause disruption at the security screening. And when in doubt, don’t bring it! Stay safe out there, and happy travelling, SDC members!
What other things should our fellow members need to know about when travelling? Share your tips in the comments below!
Last edited by a moderator: