Jazmin Li
Travelling with your camera can be stressful, especially when it comes to navigating airport security. While cameras are generally allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage, there are a number of rules and regulations to be aware of. These can vary depending on the airport and country you're travelling to, so it's always best to check before you fly. Here's what you need to know to ensure your camera gear gets through security without a hitch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lithium batteries | Must be in carry-on, not checked bags. Should be protected from damage or short circuits. |
| Drone batteries | May be subject to different regulations and limitations. |
| Electronics larger than a cellphone | Must be scanned separately outside of any bag or carrying case. |
| Laptops | Should be easily accessible for individual scanning. |
| Film | Should be hand-checked to avoid damage. Place in a clear ziplock bag or "Do Not X-Ray" pouch. Never put in checked baggage. |
| Camera gear | May need to be removed from camera bags and placed separately in a tray for scanning. |
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What You'll Learn
Lithium batteries must be in carry-on luggage
When passing through airport security, travellers with cameras should be aware of the risk of losing their equipment at the security checkpoint. While the risk is low, other travellers could accidentally pick up your gear as it goes through the X-ray machine. To avoid this, keep a close eye on your camera as you go through screening. If you do lose your gear, contact the TSA group at the airport. Alternatively, signing up for TSA Precheck can help you avoid a lot of the security inspection processes.
Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch fire if damaged or if the battery terminals are short-circuited. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bans devices containing lithium-ion batteries from checked bags. This includes devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras, laptops, electronic toothbrushes, and other rechargeable items. Therefore, lithium batteries must be kept in carry-on luggage only.
To ensure the safety of lithium batteries in carry-on luggage, they must be protected from damage or short circuits. This can be achieved by keeping them in their own container or securing them in a separate pocket within your bag. Additionally, cover the battery terminals with plastic terminal covers or use gaffer tape as an alternative.
It is important to note that some airlines, such as Southwest, have implemented new policies regarding portable batteries in carry-on luggage. These policies may include restrictions on the number of batteries you can travel with and whether you need permission from the airline to fly with them. Therefore, it is recommended to check with your airline for specific guidelines.
Furthermore, spare lithium batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must also be carried in carry-on baggage. With airline approval, passengers may carry up to two spare larger lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries. However, these batteries must be removed from any carry-on baggage that is checked at the gate or planeside and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin.
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Cameras and lenses must be removed from camera bags
When travelling with camera gear, it is important to be aware of airport security procedures. While security screening procedures are subject to frequent changes, there are some general guidelines that can help you navigate the process more smoothly. Firstly, it is recommended to keep your camera gear easily accessible during security checks. This includes ensuring that your laptop is readily accessible and separate from your camera bag, as most airlines allow one carry-on bag and one personal item. Additionally, it is advised to keep a close eye on your gear as you go through the screening process, as there is a risk of it being mistaken for someone else's belongings or being mishandled.
One of the most important considerations when travelling with camera equipment is the handling of lithium batteries. These batteries must be included in your carry-on luggage and protected from damage or short circuits. It is recommended to store them in a separate, smaller pocket within your camera bag and secure the battery terminals with gaffer tape or the original plastic terminal covers.
In terms of specific requirements for cameras and lenses, there may be variations depending on the airport and country. However, according to some sources, cameras and lenses must be removed from camera bags and placed separately in a tray for scanning. This is in line with the rule that electronics larger than a cellphone must be scanned outside of any bag or carrying case. While this can be stressful and increase the number of items you need to monitor, it is a necessary step in the security process. To streamline the process, consider signing up for TSA Precheck, which allows you to go through security without removing certain items, although this may not exempt you from removing electronic devices.
To ensure the safety of your film, it is recommended to request a hand-check by a TSA agent when bringing film through checkpoints. Most agents are accommodating of this request, especially if the film is easily accessible and stored in a clear ziplock bag or a "Do Not X-Ray" pouch. It is important to never pack film in checked baggage, as the high-powered CT scanners can cause irreversible damage.
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Film should be hand-checked, not x-rayed
Travelling with a camera can be a stressful experience, especially with the ever-changing security screening procedures. One of the biggest concerns for photographers is the potential damage that airport X-ray scanners can inflict on unprocessed film. While some sources claim that film rated at 800 ISO or lower is unlikely to be affected by standard X-ray machines, others argue that even film at ISO 400 and higher is at risk of damage. Furthermore, lead-lined bags, which were once used to protect film from radiation, are no longer recommended as they prompt security personnel to increase the power of the X-ray machine to see through the bag, thereby increasing the risk of damage to the film.
CT scanners, which are becoming increasingly common in U.S. airports, are significantly more powerful than traditional X-ray machines and can cause serious damage to unprocessed film. Even the best processing lab cannot fix film that has been fogged by these scanners. Hence, photographers are advised to limit the amount of unprocessed film they carry and, whenever possible, purchase film at their destination or have it developed before returning home.
The safest way to protect your film from radiation damage is to request a hand check at the security checkpoint. While regulations and inspections vary across countries, with some countries being less accommodating of such requests, most TSA agents in the U.S. are willing to perform manual inspections, especially if the film is easily accessible in a clear plastic or "Do Not X-Ray" pouch. Photographers can also skip the hassle of TSA lines by using pre-addressed film mailers to ship their film.
To ensure the safety of your camera gear when travelling through airport security, it is advisable to keep a close eye on your equipment as it goes through the X-ray machine. Additionally, signing up for TSA Precheck can help frequent travellers avoid many of the security inspection processes, such as removing shoes, laptops, liquids, and jackets.
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Cameras are swabbed for explosives
Airport security screening procedures change frequently, and cameras are subject to these changes. Lithium batteries, for example, must be stored in carry-on baggage and should be protected from damage or short circuits. They should be kept in their own container or secured in a separate pocket of your bag.
Cameras are also subject to swabbing tests to detect traces of explosives. These swab tests are highly sensitive and can detect extremely tiny traces of dangerous explosives. The tests look for two sets of compounds that can be used to make many types of bombs: nitrates and glycerine. However, these compounds are also found in harmless everyday products, leading to false positives. For example, chocolate can be confused with explosives, and glycerine is found in lotions, makeup, and soaps. Medications like nitroglycerine pills can also trigger false positives.
If you are selected for swabbing, it could be because you are carrying unusual items in your baggage or displaying nervous or anxious behaviour. If you test positive, security agents will perform further testing, including a pat-down, a search of your baggage, and additional questioning. It is important to remain calm and cooperate with the security agents.
To avoid issues with swab tests, it is recommended to arrive at the airport early and pay careful attention to hygiene. Keep your camera gear in sight at all times, as other travellers could accidentally take your equipment. If you lose your gear, contact the TSA group at the airport or call their lost and found number.
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TSA Precheck reduces security processes
Airport security can be a tedious process, especially when you are carrying expensive camera gear. You can avoid a lot of the security inspection processes by signing up for TSA Precheck. This program began in December 2013 to speed up pre-screened travellers through security checkpoints, which often get backed up during peak times.
TSA Precheck is available to US citizens, US nationals, and lawful permanent residents. Applicants must fill out an online application and schedule an in-person interview at a regional TSA-approved office for screening. A non-refundable processing fee of $78 or $85 for a 5-year membership is required.
TSA Precheck allows travellers deemed low-risk to move quickly through security screening at over 200 airports. With TSA Precheck, you can speed through security without needing to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets. You will also have access to a dedicated line for faster passage through security.
While TSA Precheck significantly reduces security processes, it does not guarantee that you will avoid all additional security measures. For example, you may still be required to undergo a pat-down procedure if the screening technology alarms or as part of unpredictable security measures. Additionally, you will still need to follow specific guidelines for carrying lithium batteries and electronics larger than a cellphone, such as laptops and cameras.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take your camera through airport security.
It depends on the airport and the security officers. Some travellers report being asked to remove their camera gear from their bag, while others have not. It is recommended to follow any instructions given by security officers.
Film can be damaged by X-ray machines, so it is recommended to ask a TSA agent for a hand-check. Place your film in a clear ziplock bag or a "Do Not X-Ray" pouch and keep it easily accessible.
You can sign up for TSA Precheck, which allows you to go through security without removing certain items, including laptops and cameras, from your bag. This costs $85 for a 5-year membership.
Keep your camera gear within sight during security screening to reduce the risk of loss or theft. Make sure your camera and other electronics are easily accessible for individual scanning.
