Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are items or substances that can pose a risk to health, safety, property or the environment.
In addition to the dangerous goods listed below, some other dangerous goods are forbidden for transport for safety reasons.
That’s why it is important that you inform yourself thoroughly before departure and pack correctly. The symbols show you whether and under what conditions transport is permitted for personal use:
The list of dangerous goods and prohibited items is not exhaustive and can be expanded at any time. The following list also contains items that are not considered dangerous goods but are still subject to certain restrictions (e.g. weapons).
Please read this information carefully.
You will find detailed information about the transport of electronic devices and batteries via the following link:
Information about the transport of electronic devices and batteries
Quantity restriction:
- max. 2 kg / 2 l (total net quantity of all items) per passenger
- max. 0.5 kg / 0.5 l (net quantity) per item
Toiletries are medical, cosmetic or non-radioactive items such as:
- Hair spray
- Perfume and eau de cologne
- Medical items containing alcohol such as nasal sprays containing alcohol
- Hand sanitisers containing alcohol
Spray cans/aerosols for sport and personal use at home:
- Only non-toxic and non-flammable spray cans/aerosols for sport or personal use at home in Hazard Class 2.2 with no subsidiary hazard are permitted.
Transport regulations for spray cans/aerosols:
- The release valves on aerosols must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent the accidental release of the contents.
Note:
- Also observe the general safety regulations for commercial liquids, gels or sprays in hand baggage.
Items used for self-defence are forbidden in hand baggage and checked baggage.
Examples of items used for self-defence:
- Stunning equipment and devices for shocking, such as stun guns, tasers and stun batons, or equipment for stunning and killing livestock
- Disabling and incapacitating chemicals or substances, such as “knock-out drops”, mace, pepper sprays, capsicum sprays, tear gas, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays
Ammunition quantity restriction: max. 5 kg gross weight per individual bag and passenger
Transport regulations for ammunition:
- Only ammunition in Hazard Class 1.4S with UN 0012 or UN 0014 is permitted.
- Explosive or incendiary projectiles and black powder are forbidden for transport.
- The ammunition must be securely protected against movement and impact (with no empty spaces) in a sturdy container made of wood, metal or cardboard.
- You may only transport ammunition for your personal use.
- The permitted quantity for more than one person must not be packed together in one or more bags.
Transport regulations for firearms:
- Only sports, hunting and service weapons are permitted for transport.
- Weapons of war are forbidden for transport.
- Each weapon must be secured, unloaded and appropriately packed in a designated, locked, sturdy and rigid transport container, for example made of wood, metal, hard-shell material or Styrofoam. The passenger must provide this container themselves.
- Several weapons are permitted per transport container.
- Additional airport taxes may apply depending on local security measures.
Miscellaneous provisions:
- Any object in the shape of a weapon, such as toys or “dummy weapons”, as well as other weapons such as archery bows, arrow guns, starting pistols, soft guns and other small defensive weapons such as knives, daggers, stilettos or swords, may only be transported in checked baggage.
- Lighters in the shape of a weapon and any electro-impulse weapons (e.g. stun guns or tasers) and weapons with explosive or flammable projectiles are completely forbidden.
Note:
- Firearms and ammunition must be packed in separate bags.
- We recommend that all bags or transport containers with firearms and ammunition are secured with an integrated or separate lock.
- The bag or transport container must be secured with an integrated or separate lock on flights to/from Italy.
- It is not possible to take weapons to/from certain destinations due to strict security regulations. The SWISS Service Centre will be happy to provide information.
- Transport approval from the airline is required for firearms and ammunition.
- Please register firearms and ammunition using the contact form when booking your flight.
Item restriction: max. 5 l total net quantity per passenger*
Quantity restriction: max. 5 l per container*
* Only applies to alcoholic beverages with over 24% alcohol by volume to max. 70% alcohol by volume.
Transport regulations:
- Alcoholic beverages must be in their original retail packaging.
- Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol by volume are forbidden for transport.
Note:
- Alcoholic beverages with less than 24% alcohol by volume are not classified as dangerous goods.
- The consumption of alcoholic beverages brought on board by passengers themselves is forbidden.
Fireworks, flares and explosives are forbidden for transport.
This includes the following items:
- Sparklers
- Smoke-generating canisters and cartridges
- Explosives and incendiary materials as well as explosive and incendiary devices, fireworks, distress flares, party poppers, Christmas crackers and other pyrotechnic items
- Initiators, blasting caps, detonators and fuses
- Dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives
- Mines, grenades and other military explosives
Item restriction: 1 small box of safety matches or 1 small lighter*
*For personal use only and filled with liquefied gas; must not contain any other unabsorbed liquid fuel
The following items are forbidden:
- Lighter fuel or lighter fluid
- Lighter refill packs
- “Strike-anywhere matches”
- “Blue Flame” lighters or cigar lighters
- Zippo lighters
- Lighters in the shape of a weapon
- Lighters powered by a lithium battery without a safety cap or other security mechanisms that prevent accidental activation
Note:
- The transport of matches or lighters is forbidden in some countries.
Camping stoves are forbidden for transport.
Spare cartridges for camping stoves are also forbidden for transport.
Only non-toxic and non-flammable gas in Hazard Class 2.2 with no subsidiary hazard is permitted.
Quantity restriction: max. 4 gas cartridges per passenger
Capacity restriction: max. 50 ml water capacity per gas cartridge (in the case of carbon dioxide this size is equivalent to a 28 g gas cartridge).
Transport regulation:
- The gas cartridges or cylinders must be packed in such a way that they cannot be activated accidentally.
Note:
- Transport approval from the airline is required for gas cartridges or cylinders.
- Please register your gas cartridges or cylinders using the contact form when booking your flight.
Weight restriction: max. 5 kg gross weight per cylinder
Transport regulations:
- Cylinder valves and regulators, where fitted, must be protected from damage that might cause the accidental release of the contents.
- Oxygen gas cylinders or air cylinders must be transported in manufacturer-approved outer packaging that protects the outlet valve.
The following items are forbidden:
- Chemical oxygen generators
- Equipment or containers with liquefied gas
- Personal oxygen canisters (“canned oxygen”)
Note:
- Flights to/from/within the USA: oxygen gas cylinders are forbidden on such journeys.
- Transport approval is required for oxygen gas bottles or air cylinders used for medical purposes.
- You will find further information below if you require oxygen for medical purposes during your flight.
- Please read the CPAP information sheet for CPAP devices and send the information required for technical approval to your booking centre, the SWISS Service Centre or directly to medicalservices@swiss.com no later than 48 hours before departure.
Item restriction: 2 items per passenger
Life jackets and other self-inflating safety equipment are equipped with a release mechanism using gas that is subject to special transport regulations as dangerous goods.
Definition of “self-inflating safety equipment”: personal self-inflating safety equipment that is designed to be worn by one person.
Quantity restrictions for gas cartridges:
- Max. 2 small integrated gas cartridges with non-toxic and non-flammable gas in Hazard Class 2.2. with no subsidiary hazard (e.g. carbon dioxide)
- In addition, max. 2 small spare gas cartridges (e.g. carbon dioxide) per piece of equipment may be transported.
Transport regulations:
- The integrated gas cartridge(s) may only be used for self-inflating purposes.
- The equipment must be packed in such a way that it cannot be activated accidentally.
- Self-inflating safety equipment with a pyrotechnical release mechanism in Hazard Class 1 is forbidden for transport.
Note:
- A life jacket, life vest or other self-inflating safety equipment requires transport approval from the airline.
- Please register your life jacket, life vest or other self-inflating safety equipment using the contact form when booking your flight.
This regulation only applies on flights to/from/within the USA and Togo.
We generally recommend that you do not transport powders or powder-like substances.
* Quantity restriction: max. 350 ml total volume
The following substances are excluded from this regulation:
- Medicines, baby food and human remains in the form of ashes
- Powder-like substances bought at shops in the airport security area providing they are packed in a transparent, sealed container
Note:
- Powder or powder-like substances with a total volume which is less than 350 ml may not be permitted on board as hand baggage, for example if there are any doubts concerning the authenticity of the substance.
Item restriction: 1 item per passenger
Transport regulations for medical or clinical thermometers or barometers:
- Small medical or clinical thermometers or barometers containing mercury for your personal use must be packed in a protective case.
Meteorological thermometers or barometers are forbidden for transport.
Pacemakers or other medical devices containing radioisotopes, including those powered by lithium batteries, which are implanted or attached externally to the person are permitted for transport.
The following items are forbidden in hand baggage for safety reasons:
- Crowbars, drills and drill bits (including cordless portable power drills)
- Tools with a blade or a shaft of more than 6 cm in length capable of being used as a weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels
- Saws, including portable cordless saws, blowtorches, nail guns and pneumatic staplers
- Pointed or sharp objects, such as cutting tools (axes, hatchets and cleavers), ice picks, razor blades, carpet knives, knives or scissors with a blade length of more than 6 cm (measured from the hinge)
- Martial arts equipment with a sharp point or sharp edge, such as swords and sabres
- Blunt objects, such as baseball and softball bats, clubs, batons, bludgeons, martial arts equipment and maces
Note:
- Combustion engines and petrol-powered devices and tools (e.g. chainsaws, emergency generators) are completely forbidden for transport.
- You will find further information and regulations for the transport of electronic tools and batteries under “Electronic devices and batteries”.
Quantity restriction: max. 1 l of flammable liquid per outer packaging
Permitted non-infectious samples and specimens:
- Such as from mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects and other invertebrates,
- contain small quantities of flammable liquids UN 1170, UN 1198, UN 1987 or UN 1219, and
- must comply with the transport regulations below.
Transport regulations for inner packaging:
- Variant 1: the samples or specimens must be wrapped in a paper towel and/or cheesecloth moistened with alcohol or an alcoholic solution and also packed in a sealed plastic bag.
- Variant 2: the samples or specimens must be packed in a vial or rigid container that contains alcohol or an alcoholic solution.
- Any free liquid in the container must not exceed 30 ml.
- The samples and specimens in the inner packaging must then be packed in another sealed plastic bag with absorbent material.
Transport regulations for external packaging:
- This plastic bag must then be packed in strong outer packaging with suitable cushioning material.
- The total quantity of flammable liquid per outer packaging must not exceed 1 l.
- Once the outer packaging is sealed, it must be marked: “Scientific research specimens, not restricted Special Provision A180 applies”.
Note:
- Infectious samples or specimens such as blood samples, tissue, fungi or bacterial and viral cultures that can infect humans or animals, and any substances marked UN 3373, are forbidden for transport.
Quantity restriction: max. 2.5 kg dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) net weight per passenger
Transport regulations:
- Checked bags containing dry ice must be labelled with the additional label “Dry Ice” or “Carbon dioxide, solid”. It must also state the net weight of the dry ice it contains or that the net weight is 2.5 kg or less.
- The packaging must allow gas to escape.
- Dry ice in solid form (carbon dioxide) is only permitted as a refrigerating agent for perishable goods that themselves do not constitute dangerous goods.
Note:
- Transport approval from the airline is required for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid).
- Please register your dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) using the contact form when booking your flight.
Magnetised materials with UN 2807 are classified as dangerous goods and are forbidden for transport.
Examples of UN 2807 magnetised materials are:
- Ferromagnetic metals and shielding materials with a relatively high magnetic field strength, such as magnetrons
- Unshielded permanent magnets without installed holding rods
- Magnetised objects with a magnetic field strength that produces a compass deflection of 2 degrees at a distance of 2.1 m, i.e. min. 0.418 A/m or 0.000525 gauss.
* Due to their low magnetic field strength, the following may be transported in quantities for your personal use:
- Consumer goods containing magnets, such as common refrigerator magnets, magnetic kitchen knife holders, mobile phone or credit card cases, or plug-in devices with a magnetic connector
- Shark-repellent armbands with a magnetic field (e.g. Sharkbanz): these armbands must be transported in the manufacturer’s transport box.
- Electromagnets as found in various devices such as detectors are permitted providing they are completely switched off, protected against accidental activation and/or disconnected from their power source.
Oxidising substances and organic peroxides are forbidden for transport.
This includes the following items:
- Bleach or bleaching powder
- Swimming-pool chemicals
- Dyes
* Only spare fuel cartridges are permitted in checked baggage.
Fuel cell systems and spare fuel cartridges for powering portable electronic devices, such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops and camcorders must be packed securely to prevent damage.
Quantity restriction for spare cartridges: max. 2 items per passenger
Volume restrictions for fuel cells or fuel cell cartridges:
- Liquids: max. 200 ml
- Solids: max. 200 g
- Liquefied gases: max. 120 ml for non-metallic fuel cells or fuel cell cartridges or max. 200 ml for metallic fuel cells or fuel cell cartridges
- Hydrogen in metal hydride: max. 120 ml water capacity
Transport regulations for fuel cell cartridges:
- Each fuel cell cartridge must be marked stating that it complies with the specifications of IEC PAS 62282-6-100 Version 1, including Amendment 1, and state the maximum quantity and type of fuel.
Transport regulations for fuel cell systems:
- Fuel cell systems must be labelled by the manufacturer as “Approved for carriage in aircraft cabin only”.
- The fuel cell systems must not charge the electronic device when the device is not in use.
- Fuel cell systems may only contain flammable liquids, corrosive substances, liquefied gases, water-reactive substances or hydrogen in metal hydride. Fuel cell systems whose sole function is to charge a battery in the device are forbidden.
- Recharging/refilling fuel cells on board is forbidden; only the insertion of spare cartridges may be carried out on board.
Insulated packaging containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen (dry shippers) completely absorbed in porous material:
- May only be used for products that are not themselves classified as dangerous goods
- Must not allow pressure to build up inside the container
- Must not allow refrigerated liquid nitrogen to escape, irrespective of the position of the insulated packaging (dry shippers).
Note:
- You will find more information about the transport of “Samples or specimens” in the section “Non-infectious samples and specimens containing small amounts of flammable liquids”.
The transport regulations below refer to parachutes with a pyrotechnic automatic activation device (AAD) such as Cypres AAD.
Transport regulation:
- You must carry with you written documentation from an authorised national authority containing details of the automatic activation device (AAD), together with confirmation that the device is not classified as dangerous goods.
* Note: Transport is forbidden if the transport regulations are not complied with.
Quantity restriction: 1 device per passenger
Transport regulations:
- The use of hairstyling devices powered by hydrocarbon gas cartridges is forbidden on board.
- The safety cover must be securely attached over the heating element.
Note:
- Gas refill packs for hairstyling devices that use hydrocarbon gas cartridges are forbidden for transport.
- You will find more detailed information about the transport of hairstyling devices with lithium batteries in the section“Diving lamps, soldering irons and other heat-generating items with built-in batteries”.
Security file cases/bags and cash boxes/bags are forbidden for transport.
Permeation devices used to calibrate air quality monitoring systems may only be transported in your checked baggage.
The following further items are forbidden both in your hand baggage and checked baggage:
- Containers with flammable liquids, such as paints, varnishes, thinners, cleaning agents, solvents or petrol
- Containers with non-flammable paints
- Slightly flammable materials and articles, such as barbecue lighters, fuel paste, butane or propane gas bottles, dry spirit, fuel or charcoal
- Hazardous, toxic or infectious materials and substances, such as mercury, rat poison, insecticide, arsenic, cyanide or bacterial and viral cultures or infectious laboratory samples
- Caustic and corrosive substances, such as acids, alkalis, bases or wet batteries, rust protection or rust removal substances, sulphur dioxide solutions or chemical sets
- Radioactive materials and objects
- Substances that emit flammable gases on contact with water, such as carbide
- Carbon dioxide cartridges (CO2) for mineral water treatment above 50 ml
- Combustion engines and petrol-powered equipment and tools (e.g. lawn mowers, chainsaws and emergency generators). This applies irrespective of whether the equipment or tools are new (in their original packaging) or used
- Flammable, non-flammable, deep-frozen and toxic propellants
- Fragile items such as televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators or computer screens
Please contact us using the contact form if you are unsure whether you are permitted to take a particular item with you on your journey.
Other transport information:
- If you transport dangerous goods that are not approved for transport, the items may be confiscated from you and you will be liable.
- These transport regulations comply with the national regulations and current IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for the safe transport of dangerous goods. SWISS reserves the right to take measures with enhanced restrictions for safety reasons.
- These transport regulations may differ on flights with codeshare partners. Please consult the airline concerned directly for further information.
- There may be national regulations that result in measures with enhanced restrictions.