The United States belongs to the countries with the strictest entry requirements in the world. To avoid problems with your luggage and hand luggage for the USA at the airport, we have summarized all the important regulations for flights to America.
When packing your hand luggage for the USA, you need to be well informed about the current guidelines of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the requirements of your airline. We explain what you should pay special attention to when packing carry-on luggage.
Before you board your flight to the USA, you should carefully check the maximum dimensions and weights for hand luggage with your airline, which sometimes vary considerably.
Many airlines only allow one piece of standard carry-on luggage. However, there are no uniformly regulated measurements for the term "standard." To avoid unnecessary costs for luggage that is too large or too heavy, be sure to measure, weigh, and compare the bag you plan to use as hand luggage for the USA flight with your airline's guidelines when packing.
By the way: Some airlines, such as American Airlines and United Airways, do not have a weight limit for hand luggage. However, as a rule of thumb, you should be able to stow your hand luggage in the designated compartments in the aircraft cabin by yourself.
There are also airlines with more accommodating carry-on policies. For example, Air Canada, British Airways, or Lufthansa allow you to take one personal item in addition to your standard hand luggage on the USA flight. This can be, among other things, a handbag, a laptop bag, a camera bag, or a shopping bag from the duty-free store.
Also, when it comes to personal items, you should check your airline's regulations because they are usually limited to maximum weight and size as well.
In addition to standard hand luggage (and personal items, if applicable), many airlines allow you to carry diaper bags, breast pumps, or medical equipment if needed (i.e., a collapsible wheelchair, walker, crutches, or medical equipment used to administer prescribed medications). Be sure to consult your airline and find out if there may be additional fees.
To shed some light on the permitted hand luggage dimensions and weights, we have summarized the guidelines of the major airlines that are currently offering USA flights in the following table.
| Airline | Hand luggage dimensions & weight (economy class) |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | 56 x 36 x 23 cm No weight limit |
| Austrian Airlines | 55 x 40 x 23 cm Max. 8 kg |
| Air Canada | 55 x 40 x 23 cm Extra: personal item 33 x 43 x 16 cm No weight limit |
| Air France | 55 x 35 x 25 cm Max. 12 kg |
| ANA | 55 x 40 x 25 cm Max. 10 kg |
| British Airways | 56 x 45 x 25 cm Max. 23 kg Extra: personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Condor | 40 x 30 x 10 cm Max. 8 kg |
| Delta Airlines | 56 × 35 × 23 cm No weight limit |
| Finnair | 55 x 40 x 23 cm Max. 10 kg Extra: personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Iberia | 56 x 40 x 25 cm Max. 10 kg Extra: personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Japan Airlines | 55 x 40 x 25 cm Max. 10 kg |
| KLM | 55 x 35 x 25 cm Extra: personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm Max. 18 kg in total |
| Lufthansa | 55 x 40 x 23 cm Max. 8 kg Extra: personal item 40 x 30 x 10 cm |
| Norse Atlantic Airways | 56 x 45 x 25 cm Max. 10 kg Extra: personal item 45 x 36 x 22 cm |
| Qantas | 56 x 45 x 25 cm Max. 10 kg Extra: personal item 45 x 36 x 22 cm Max. 4 kg |
| Singapore Airlines | 2 pieces of hand luggage Sum of length, width, and height: max. 115 cm Each piece max. 7 kg |
| TAP Air Portugal | 55 x 40 x 20 cm Max. 10 kg Extra: personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm Max. 2 kg |
| United Airlines | 56 x 35 x 22 cm Extra: personal item 43 x 25 x 22 cm No weight limit |
| Virgin Atlantic | 56 x 36 x 23 cm Max. 10 kg |
As of December 2022
Note: The hand luggage guidelines of the airlines can change at short notice. Make sure you check the current regulations before your flight to the USA so that you will not be surprised at the airport by additional costs for hand luggage that is too large or too heavy.
To ensure that your entry into the USA will take place without any problems, the following items should definitely be kept within easy reach in your hand luggage:
Tip: If you are not traveling with a work visa or Green Card, you should avoid carrying references or application documents in your hand luggage to the USA. The American border officials could assume that you have immigration intentions and possibly deny you entry to the USA.
Several products and items repeatedly raise questions as to whether they may be transported in the hand luggage for the USA. We answer the most frequently asked questions.
Liquids are permitted in your hand luggage in containers with a maximum capacity of 100 ml and a maximum height of 20 cm. These regulations also apply to semi-solid products such as toothpaste, creams, or mascara. Furthermore, they must be transported in a transparent, resealable bag. You may only use one bag per person, with a maximum capacity of one liter. Pressurized containers for hairspray or shaving foam, however, must be placed in the checked baggage.
Attention: Bottles and containers that are only partially filled but larger than 100 ml must not be used!
Travelers are permitted to bring necessary medications to the USA in their hand luggage, provided that they are transported in their original packaging. If you need medication in liquid form which exceeds the volume of 100 ml, you need a personal prescription from your doctor translated into English. The same applies to syringes (e.g., for diabetics).
Since 2018, powders and powder-like substances (e.g., make-up, baby powder, coffee, spices) may no longer be transported in your hand luggage to the USA if they exceed a volume of 350 ml. And even if you're carrying powders in smaller quantities, be prepared for US customs officials to inspect your bag more closely. This regulation is based on a security measure intended to prevent explosive powders from being carried in the cabin.
The Transportation Security Administration of the United States allows certain types of razors on board. For example, disposable razors, replacement blades, and electric razors may be carried in your hand luggage. Other types of razors (wet razors, straight razors) belong in your checked baggage.
American customs allow a maximum of 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 g of loose tobacco per adult traveler to be transported duty-free. However, filled lighters are not allowed on USA flights in either carry-on or checked baggage. You are only allowed to carry one matchbook (not a box) of safety matches.
For safety reasons, power banks must be brought on an airplane in your hand luggage, and most airlines allow a maximum of two devices. They contain lithium-ion batteries that can catch fire. In case fires start in the cargo area, they are very difficult to localize and fight. Therefore, power banks are strictly prohibited in checked baggage.
Also, power banks that are carried in hand luggage have to meet certain guidelines. They must have a maximum capacity of 100 Wh and a maximum voltage of 12 V (some airlines allow up to 160 Wh).
You are allowed to travel with different types of batteries and chargers in your hand luggage. You may carry alkaline dry-cell batteries, rechargeable dry-cell batteries, consumer-size lithium-ion batteries, and lithium metal batteries. The latter are typically incorporated into cell phones, cameras, laptops, and other small electronic devices.
However, wet batteries, car batteries, and leaking batteries are prohibited. Exemptions can be approved if you need to use a scooter or wheelchair with such a battery. In this case, contact your airline beforehand.
Many travelers stock up on alcohol, perfumes, cosmetics, or tobacco products in duty-free stores at the airport. Since the hand luggage guidelines for liquids & co. do not apply to products from the duty-free store. They can be transported additionally. However, they must be carried in a transparent plastic bag called Security Tamper Evident Bag (STEB), which is given out in the duty-free store.
If your flight connection includes a stopover, be sure not to open the seal attached to the STEB bag by the duty-free store. Otherwise, the products could be confiscated during the following security check. It is also important to keep the receipt from the duty-free store.
How much cash can I bring to the USA? You may bring cash or other means of payment, such as traveler's checks or bonds, with a maximum value of $ 10,000 into the United States duty-free. For amounts exceeding this number, you must file FinCEN-Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments) with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Each airline has its own policy regarding the carriage of pets on the plane. However, it is necessary that you notify your airline in advance if you want to take a pet with you.
Smaller animals such as cats, rabbits, and small dogs are usually allowed to travel to the USA in the cabin as hand luggage. You must make sure, however, that your furry best friend does not exceed the maximum weight allowed by your airline. You should also have a suitable transport box for the flight. Larger dogs, on the other hand, must be accommodated in the cargo hold. Here, too, make sure you have a stable and sufficiently sized transport box.
Since traveling on an airplane means a lot of stress for your four-legged companion, you should follow these tips to make the flight as comfortable as possible for him:
Also, check what vaccination and quarantine requirements exist for your pet. These vary depending on the species and US state. For current guidelines on bringing pets into the USA, visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some species also require additional permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Note: There are some exceptions for assistance dogs. You can inquire about these with your airline and the responsible authorities.
Checked baggage is stored in the cargo hold and, just like your hand luggage for the USA, it must meet all the guidelines set by the American authorities and your airline.
Each airline has its own specifications regarding the maximum dimensions and weight limits for luggage. Checked baggage prices vary depending on the route, class of travel, and fare.
Currently, most airlines – e.g., Lufthansa, Air France, Delta, or Norse Atlantic Airways – include a free baggage allowance of 23 kg in their Economy Standard fares. If you don't need much luggage for your trip to the USA, you can also choose an Economy Light fare, which only includes your hand luggage.
Of course, you can optionally book additional pieces of luggage. The carriage of sports and special luggage is usually possible for an additional charge. Special luggage can be:
Be sure to check the maximum allowed dimensions for your flight and weigh your suitcase after packing. This will help you avoid unnecessarily high costs for the carriage of excess baggage.
Tip: Due to the strict limits on baggage for the USA, it can even be worth booking a business or premium fare instead of economy class in some cases. Here, larger and heavier bags are usually allowed.
Bringing food to the USA is a complicated topic. Some products may not be brought into the USA under any circumstances. This applies, for example, to animal products from countries where there are cases of animal diseases. Furthermore, there are strict restrictions on plants, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods are prohibited in the luggage for the USA:
Certain foods, on the other hand, may be imported into the United States in specified quantities if they are commercially packaged. These include:
However, in some cases, there are additional restrictions on these foods concerning certain countries of origin. Even musical instruments and souvenirs made of wood, shells, etc., are sometimes subject to very strict entry regulations.
There are several illegal products and hazardous materials that pose a security risk and, therefore, may not be transported to the USA in either carry-on or checked luggage. These include:
By the way: Firearms and ammunition may generally be transported to the USA in your checked luggage if they have been unloaded and secured in a sturdy, locked container. In addition, firearms and ammunition must be declared upon check-in. Also, when transporting weapons, note that individual airlines have different policies, which may vary from one another.
Travel to the USA is subject to particularly strict regulations and controls by the security personnel of the United States. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has the right to break open locked baggage for screening purposes if they suspect there may be a security risk.
Therefore, we recommend that you get a TSA lock to secure your luggage for your trip to the USA. These special locks were developed by the Transportation Security Administration and can be opened by airport security personnel with a master key. This ensures that no damage is done to your luggage.
Tip: If you want to treat yourself to a new suitcase for your next trip, you can also buy a suitcase with an integrated TSA lock.
Have you ever waited in vain at the baggage carousel at your vacation destination for your suitcase to arrive? Then you know that baggage loss when flying is often accompanied by a lot of inconvenience and arguments with the airline. That's why more and more travelers are relying on luggage trackers. These small, disc-shaped devices work by using a Bluetooth signal to track the location of your luggage with ease. Popular devices include the Apple AirTags and the Samsung Galaxy SmartTags.
Do you need more useful tips to make the most of your vacation in America? Then take a look at our other guides on travel preparation:
We wish you a pleasant flight to the United States!
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!