Can You Bring Candles On A Plane?

When you go away, it’s often nice to bring back some gifts for your friends or family, especially if you find something that you know they’d love whilst you’re away, and even more so if it’s unavailable in the region or country that you live in, which makes it even more special. 

There are loads of things you could bring back for them, and one of the most popular gifts at the moment are candles, so why not treat someone in your life to a gorgeous scented candle as a gift upon your arrival? 

However, the question is, can you bring a candle on a plane? The answer is often dubious, especially since candles are designed to burn.

If you’re unsure, then don’t worry, as we’ve done all of the research to give you the information you need to know about whether or not you can bring a candle on a plane with you!

Can You Bring Candles On A Plane?

Thankfully, yes! You can bring most types of candles on a plane with you, as long as you fly anywhere within the United States. 

That’s right, as per the TSA’s website, you’re more than welcome to bring your solid wax candles onto the plane, as long as you don’t light them during your flight!

When you do travel with candles inside of your carry-on luggage, the best option is to remove the candles from your carry-on bag, and place them into the bin whilst you make your way through security.

This is because most security agents will want to do extra scans if they can’t be identified when they make their way through the scanner. 

Here are the TSA’s official rules when it comes to candles: 

• Solid Candles are permitted in both carry-on bags, as well as checked luggage. 
• Gel candles are actually prohibited in your carry-on bags, but are allowed in your checked luggage. 
• You are not limited in the number of candles you carry in your luggage. 

As long your candles are solid, they are able to be put into either your carry-on bag as well as your checked luggage.

Solid candles, if you didn’t know, refer to any candle that is composed of any solid or hardened wax.

Examples of this type of candle can include anything from beeswax, paraffin, coconut wax, soy wax, and they can also be in any sort of container too, whether it’s ceramic, glass, metal, or even in no container whatsoever!

Gel candles, which can also be known as gel wax candles, are a different type of candle than your traditional solid wax candle, often composed of 5% polymer resin, as well as 95% mineral oil.

These types of candles are designed to burn for much longer than wax candles do. However, what you might not have seen, is that there are multiple stories you can find online about instances where gel wax candles have actually exploded. 

This is exactly why the TSA have considered that gel wax candles are too dangerous to be taken on board the flight in your carry-on bag, so just ensure that if you do bring them with you, that they are kept inside your checked luggage instead. 

Additionally, the TSA doesn’t make any rules about the quantity of candles you bring with you in your luggage, so as long as they all fit in your bags, then you should have no worries with security.

The candles can also be any size or shape, as long as they’re reasonable. Ultimately, the final decision is down to the TSA agent at the time of your flight as to whether or not you are able to bring the candles with you. 

How To Pack Candles For A Flight

When it comes to packing candles for a flight, it can be quite difficult to realize exactly how to pack candles because they’re incredibly fragile.

So, now that you know exactly what sort of candles you can bring with you, and what luggage they can go in, then here’s everything you need to know about how to pack your candles for a flight. 

The best way to carry them on is to put them in your carry-on bag or as a personal item this means that you’ll be able to keep track of how your candles are being handled as you travel. 

Putting them in your checked luggage can be a riskier way of transporting them, especially as a lot of suitcases can be mishandled by airport workers, which will be a sure way to break your candles!

So if you need some tips as to how to pack to your candles into your suitcase, then here are some of the best ways to ensure that it doesn’t break whilst on the flight:

• Place your candles inside of a clear bag with a zip, especially if there’s a chance of the wax softening or melting whilst on the flight. 

• You should pack your candles as close to the center of the suitcase as you can, as this will ensure that the rest of your belongings can protect your candles. 

• If your candles have a glass or ceramic holder, you’ll want to make sure that you wrap your candles in some protective material, scrunched up paper, or bubble wrap will help to protect your candle as it makes its way through the luggage processing. 

• If you can’t get hold of any protective packing, then make use of your clothing, just ensure that you don’t wrap them so that they have direct contact with your candle, as it will mean that your candles’ wax might end up staining or marking your clothes. 

• Make sure you add a fragile sticker to the outside of your scented candle too!

Summary

As you can see, candles are easily transported on planes, so get packing!