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Flying with wrapped gifts

Everything you need to know on, flying with a gift, what you can and can't take on a plane and the best way to pack

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Flying with gifts and wrapped presents

There are no rules against flying with gifts and presents, ensure that the item you're flying with is in accordance with airport security's rules and regulations. 

Where can I store my gift when travelling? 🎁

Flying with a gift in carry-on baggage

  • It's advised that when flying with a valuable gift, whether it's money, a laptop, a camera or any other valuable item, you pack it within your carry-on baggage.
  • Checked baggage is often out of sight and — although unlikely — there's no guarantee that it won't end up in the hands of the wrong person.
  • It's important to check that the gift that you're flying with is allowed to be taken in carry-on baggage, as airport security will confiscate any items that aren't allowed on the plane at security.

Flying with a gift in checked baggage

  • If the gift that you're flying with is prohibited from carry-on baggage, you'll have to pack it in your checked baggage.
  • If this is the case, we recommend locking it with a travel sentry lock which is approved by and can be unlocked by security if they need to open your baggage in case they find a suspicious item. 

What are the rules while flying with wrapped presents? 🎁

When will I not be allowed to take a gift in carry-on baggage?

The following gift items are not allowed in carry-on baggage and should be packed in your checked baggage instead:

  • Any liquid that is more than 100ml/3.4oz, including alcohol, perfumes etc.
  • Alcoholic drinks that are more than 70% alcohol
  • Any item that could be used as a bludgeon, including sports equipment such as bats and clubs
  • Any toy that resembles a weapon, such as toy guns or toy swords
  • Sharp objects, including kitchen knives and knitting needles 
  • Certain food, travelling between certain areas of the world
  • English Christmas crackers and fireworks

When will I not be able to take a gift in checked baggage?

Although rarer than carry-on baggage, there might be cases where you can't carry gift items in your checked baggage. These include:

  • Alcohol with more than a 70% alcohol percentage 
  • Any item with a lithium battery (however, these can be transported in carry-on baggage)
  • English Christmas crackers and fireworks
  • Certain food, travelling between certain areas of the world

If you're unsure whether your gift item is allowed in carry-on or checked baggage, we recommend looking through our guide to flight add-ons and checking with airport security prior to departure.

Top Tips when flying with a wrapped gift 🎁

Here's some advice on flying with wrapped gifts and whether it's worth the hassle. 

Can I fly with wrapped gifts?

  • There's nothing that says you can't fly with a wrapped gift. However, be warned airport security has the right to unwrap your gift if they believe it to be a suspicious item and they won't necessarily do a good job of re-wrapping it.
  • Further to this, if you've decided to wrap your gift in carry-on baggage and you're flying with the person you're gifting it to, you run the risk of being unwrapped in front of them!

Wrap your gift after you've flown

  • We recommend wrapping your gift after you've flown and landed. If airport security unwraps your gift, your wrapping efforts will be wasted.
  • Wrapping paper isn't hard to come by, so you shouldn't have trouble finding any. And if you do happen to be flying to somewhere extremely remote — wrapping paper, tape and scissors are not prohibited from checked baggage!

Store your gift in a gift bag

  • Another alternative to wrapping your gift is to store it in an unsealed gift bag. This allows airport security to easily check the item without the need to unwrap anything but also keeps your gift in a nice, presentable bag.
  • To check how much baggage you will need when flying, we recommend looking into our guide to excess baggage.

Be careful with delicate items

  • If you have to pack your gift in checked baggage, it's important to protect and carefully wrap your items, particularly if they're delicate.
  • Checked baggage is not always handled with care. Therefore, items can break if they're not protected correctly. 

Have you got your presents packed for Christmas?

Flying home for Christmas? Check out our page dedicated to Christmas flights and be prepared for travelling over this festive season.

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FAQs

What items am I not allowed to take on a flight with me in my carry on luggage?

The following gift items will not be allowed to be in your carry-on baggage and need to be packed away in your checked baggage instead:

  • Any liquid that is more than 100ml/3.4oz, including alcohol, perfumes etc.
  • Alcoholic drinks that are more than 70% alcohol
  • Any item that could be used as a bludgeon, including sports equipment such as bats and clubs
  • Any toy that resembles a weapon, such as toy guns or toy swords
  • Sharp objects, including kitchen knives and knitting needles 
  • Certain food, travelling between certain areas of the world
  • English Christmas crackers and fireworks
What items am I not allowed to have on a flight with me in my checked baggage?

There will be some cases where you will not be allowed to have certain items in your checked bags. These include:

  • Alcohol with more than a 70% alcohol percentage 
  • Any item with a lithium battery (however, these can be transported in carry-on baggage)
  • English Christmas crackers and fireworks
  • Certain food, travelling between certain areas of the world
Can I fly with a wrapped gift?

Absolutely yes however it doe cause you strain when it potentially gets alerted during security. The officers have the right to unwrap your gift if they believe it to be a suspicious item and they won't necessarily do a good job of re-wrapping it.

Further to this, if you are travelling with someone who you have a wrapped gift for. You could run into the risk of it being unwrapped in front of them.

Can I store my gift in a gift bag?

Yes! We recommend that you store your gift in an unsealed gift bag. This allows airport security to easily check the item without the need to unwrap anything.