Can You Bring a Razor on a Plane?

Jetting off to a conference or a city break and want to pack light? If you want to make a good impression while you’re there you probably want to take a razor with you. But, can you bring a razor on a plane in your carry-on luggage? Let’s find out.

Can You Bring a Razor in Your Checked Luggage?

Even though razors are sharp, and as we’ve seen on Peaky Blinders can be used as a rather gruesome weapon, they are for the most part allowed on planes. With some exceptions of course.

From your favorite Gillette cartridge razor, to your grandfather’s straight razor, any type of razor can be stored away in checked-in luggage.

However, the blade must be sheathed, or the razor kept in a sturdy case. This is mostly to protect baggage handlers as they move your luggage, but it also protects the rest of your stuff from damage.

Can You Take a Razor on a Plane in Your Hand Luggage?

When it comes to hand-luggage however, things are a little stricter. Some razors are allowed in the cabin, while others are strictly prohibited.

We’ll look at the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, rules for each type of razor below. As one of the top-5 items that people ask about according to the TSA, it’s worth clearing things up once and for all.

Disposable Razor

Disposable razors include lightweight one-use plastic razors, as well as cartridge razors with replaceable cartridges that encase the blades. Safe and easy to shave with, disposable razors, particularly cartridge razors, are the top choice for a great many people.

If you’re using a disposable razor, the good news is that they are allowed in your carry-on luggage according to TSA rules. The plastic cartridge makes removing the actual razor blade difficult, while the blades themselves are typically fairly flimsy once removed.

Safety Razor

A safety razor has a protective guard and a single replaceable blade. They were originally designed to make shaving safer and enable anyone to shave from the comfort of their own home way back in the 18th century, but remain popular today.

While they could be considered disposable razors due to their interchangeable blades, they are prohibited by TSA rules. Since the blade is interchangeable and easily removed, it is seen as a potential weapon by airport security.

Straight Razor

For premium preening, nothing else quite cuts it — pun very much intended — like a straight razor. Sadly, these are strictly prohibited in carry-on luggage by TSA rules, as they break the ‘no sharp objects’ rule.

If you can’t live without yours, you’ll have to either pack it in a checked-in bag, or have it posted to your accommodation.

Electric Razor

Shavers, beard trimmers, epilators and any other type of electric razor are also allowed as hand-luggage according to TSA rules. Batteries, charging units, and power cords are also acceptable.

They’re not really the ideal choice for traveling light though, as the charging cables and spare batteries can soon take up precious space in your hand-luggage.

It’s worth mentioning that you might be required to scan electric razors separately, along with your laptop, phone, and any other electronic goods, when passing through airport security.

Will my electric shaver work overseas?

One more thing to bear in mind with electric razors is that if you’re travelling to a foreign country, it’s important to know if you’ll need an adaptor for your charger. You might also need a voltage converter. While many electronics these days convert the voltage automatically, electric razors often don’t.

Electrical sockets differ around the world. While it might look like the plug for an electric razor would fit in any two-prong socket, not using an adaptor or voltage converter can be extremely dangerous. At best, you might trip a fuse, but at worse, you could cause a fire and put lives at risk. It’s a risk that is very easily avoided, and adaptors and converters are very affordable.

Look for dual voltage products, or be sure to invest in a converter if you plan to travel with it a lot.

Eyebrow Razors

Though small, lightweight, and seemingly inoffensive, eyebrow razors are not allowed on a plane in your carry-on luggage. This is because the razor is not enclosed like in a cartridge or disposable razor.

Some people claim that they’re okay to bring aboard. However, TSA rules do actually dictate that eyebrow razors must be packed away in checked-in luggage. Often, it’s for the officer who is scanning your luggage to decide. While some officers may give eyebrow razors the green light, you certainly shouldn’t bank on it.

However, tweezers are allowed in your hand-luggage, so they’re perhaps a better option for a short trip. Otherwise, it’s best to put eyebrow razors in checked-in luggage.

Pill Splitters

This is a slightly different one, but it’s important to know about if you have medical needs.

Pill cutters are essential for some travelers, and though they incorporate a small razor to do the actual cutting, they are allowed in carry-on luggage according to TSA rules. The razor itself is small, flimsy, and encased in plastic, rendering it a very poor potential weapon.

What About Shaving Cream?

So, if you can bring a razor on a plane, can you also bring the required toiletries, such as shaving cream?

Fortunately, TSA also allows you to bring all the necessary cosmetics on-board when you travel. You don’t have to worry about buying them when you arrive. This includes shaving cream, foam, or gel, moisturizer, aftershave, and cologne, ensuring a comfortable shave wherever you are.

The only thing to be aware of is that they fall under the TSA liquids rule. This means that any liquids or aerosol products must be in a 3.4 oz container or smaller. You must also be pack them in a 1 quart-size resealable bag in order to pass through airport security without issue.

You can’t bring your regular sized products in your hand-luggage, and will have to buy travel sized versions instead. This might be a little more expensive, but if you travel a lot you’ll soon get through them. An alternative to regular shaving cream or gel that might be a more affordable and flexible option, is shaving cream bars.

Taking a Razor on a Plane Outside of the US

For the most part, rules regarding bringing a razor on a plane are more or less standard around the world. Most airport security authorities have similar restrictions as in the US.

Cartridge and disposable razors generally being allowed in hand-luggage, while open razors and razor blades are restricted. In some cases, disposable razors may only be allowed if they’re kept in their original packaging.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to keep your razor in a case. Like this you prevent damage to your other luggage, and avoid any risk of injury.

It’s always worth checking out the restrictions in place at the airport that you’re flying from in advance to avoid problems, as well as the specific airline, as they may have their own rules.

The Final Cut

To cut a long story short: you can bring a razor on a plane, as long as it meets certain requirements.

Disposable razors, electric shavers, and cartridge razors are allowed in hand-luggage for the most part. However, anything with an exposed blade, such as a straight razor or even an eyebrow razor, will typically be prohibited.