Can You Bring Nail Clippers On A Plane?

Packing for a vacation should be a fun experience that is filled with excitement for the place you are going to visit and the things that you will see and do.  However, it can actually be quite a stressful task, especially if you are traveling by plane. 

Not only are there weight restrictions that are surprisingly difficult to stick to, but there are also security restrictions that limit the things that you can take into the cabin of the plane and sometimes even the hold of the plane. 

These restrictions can change regularly and leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed.  In this article, we will look at whether you can take nail clippers on a plane and what other restrictions may apply to nail care.  

Can You Take Nail Clippers On A Plane?

The short answer to this question is yes, you can take your nail clippers on a plane. 

However, because they are classified as a sharp item, there are certain precautions that you are expected to take in order to safely carry them on the plane, particularly if you are taking them as carry-on luggage. 

There are certain things that you can do to help keep yourself and security agents safe when you pack your clippers.  It is important to note that the security officers reserve the right to confiscate your nail clippers if they believe that they are unsafe in some way.

Can You Take Nail Clippers In A Carry-On?

Yes, you can take nail clippers in your carry-on luggage, however, there are a couple of caveats. 

Because they are considered to be a sharp item by the TSA, it is important that you wrap the clippers or place them in a secure bag to help protect the baggage handlers and security agents. 

If they are not secure and an airport employee harms themself on them, it could get you in a lot of trouble.  

It is acceptable to place your nail clippers in a cosmetics bag to keep them protected, or even a hard-cased nail care kit that includes all of your nail care tools. 

Leaving your nail clippers loose in the bottom of your carry-on bag is risky and could result in them being confiscated by security.  A simple pouch or a zipped pocket in your bag can be enough. 

Can You Take Nail Clippers In Checked Luggage?

Yes, you can take nail clippers in your checked luggage.  Nail clippers that are packed in checked bags are not subject to the same stringent storage regulations as ones in carry-on luggage are. 

Because nobody is likely to have to sort through your luggage in a checked bag, it is acceptable to have them loose in your suitcase, although this could cause small amounts of damage to your clothing or even the clippers themselves during transit.  

Can You Take Other Nail Care Tools?

Most people that want to take nail clippers with them on a flight and have them in the cabin with them, will also want to take the rest of their manicure kit. 

The safest option is often to just place manicure kits in your checked luggage, however, you don’t have to do this. 

The TSA allows all of the common manicure kit items on planes, as long as the items that are considered to be sharp are adequately secured so that they will not cause accidental harm to staff or passengers in the airport.  

It is the scissors in the manicure kit that pose the biggest safety concern and risk to the TSA.  Because of this, there are other stipulations that apply to nail scissors that you want to bring on the plane. 

If you are bringing nail scissors in your carry-on luggage, you must ensure that they are smaller than 4 inches from the pivot point. 

This is more than adequate for most nail scissors, but if you have special ones, it is worth checking before you fly so that they do not get confiscated.  

Along with all the other sharp items in your manicure kit, scissors should be secure and the point should be covered in some way. 

A regular manicure kit in a hard case will be enough to do this, however, if you want increased peace of mind, you can wrap the scissor blades in tape. 

This can help to ensure that they won’t open mid-flight or during security checks and can help to create a more blunt end at the point so that they don’t cause accidental injury if security agents handle the kit.  

Manicure kit items such as nail files, whether they are glass, metal, or cardboard, are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage.  The only exception is electric nail files or Dremels. 

These products must be stowed in your checked luggage otherwise they will be confiscated at security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nail Polish Permittaed In Carry-On Luggage?

The answer to this question is yes.  You can take nail polish on the plane with you as long as it fits into your allotted amount of liquid. 

Most nail polish bottles are small enough as standard to be taken on a plane, they just need to fit into your 1-quart bag and allow it to seal shut.  

Can I Take A UV Nail Light?

Yes, you can.  A UV nail light is allowed in both your checked and carry-on luggage.  If you are lucky enough to be on a plane with power points, you might be able to give yourself and your fellow passengers a full manicure from your seat. 

Final Thoughts

Although nail clippers are classified as sharp items, you are allowed to take them onto the plane with you in both carry-on and checked luggage. 

There are stipulations about how they should be carried in carry-on bags to ensure the safety of yourself and others.