Sharp objects come in all shapes and sizes and have a variety of functions. Whether you want to pack personal items, kitchen items, sporting equipment or tools for work, knowing the rules for which sharp objects can fly helps make your security screening experience quicker and easier.
Personal Items
Personal items such as disposable razors (e.g. blade encased in a plastic holder), small scissors (with blades 6 cm or less), tweezers and nail clippers are permitted.
Razors (open, loose or straight blades) or personal items with a blade over 6 cm must be packed in checked baggage when flying within Canada or to an international (non-U.S.) destination. Knives of any type or length are not permitted in your carry-on on flights to the U.S.
Kitchen items, sporting equipment or tools
Kitchen items
Small kitchen appliances with blades 6 cm or less (e.g. personal/hand-held blenders, coffee grinders, cheese slicers) are permitted in carry-on baggage.
Sporting equipment
See the Camping and Sporting Equipment page.
Tools
Small tools with a blade 6 cm or less are permitted when flying within Canada or to an international (non-U.S.) destination. Knives of any type or length are not permitted in your carry-on on flights to the U.S.
Heavier tools such as drills, rotary tools, pneumatic tools, welding equipment and saws must be packed in checked baggage. Batteries for these items, however, typically must be placed in your carry-on. See Guidelines for Batteries for more information.
Knitting needles and crochet hooks
Knitting needles and crochet hooks of any size and type (e.g. plastic, aluminum, bamboo) are permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Knives and other sharp objects
Knives with a blade 6 cm or less
A knife with a blade 6 cm or less is permitted in carry-on or checked baggage when flying within Canada or to an international (non-U.S.) destination. Knives of any type or length are not permitted in your carry-on on flights to the U.S.
Check the What Can I Bring? list to determine if your knife needs to be placed in checked baggage or if it is a prohibited knife.
Knives with a blade over 6 cm
A knife with a blade over 6 cm must be placed in checked baggage and is permitted when flying within Canada, the U.S. or to an international destination.
Check the What Can I Bring? list to determine if your knife needs to be placed in checked baggage or if it is a prohibited knife.
Travelling to the United States?
Knives of any type or length are not permitted in your carry-on on flights to the U.S.
How to measure sharp objects
Blades measuring 6 cm (2.4 in.) or less are permitted in carry-on. Items with longer blades must be packed in checked baggage and are permitted when flying within Canada, the U.S. or to an international destination.
Please note:The final decision rests with the screening officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.
Prohibited Knives
Any knife with a blade that opens automatically by gravity, by centrifugal force, or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife (butterfly knives, switchblades, etc.) is a prohibited item. These items are illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada. Likewise, concealed knives (knife concealed in an umbrella or cane, pen knives, kubotans) are prohibited.
If a prohibited knife is presented at a pre-board screening checkpoint, protocol requires us to notify the police. This could lead to charges and prosecution of the item’s holder.
