Checked baggage | Hold luggage | Prohibited items in baggage at Heathrow

Did you know?

Heathrow is the UK’s only hub airport and an important economic asset. But today Heathrow is full and vulnerable to foreign competition.

Checked baggage

Go to main page: Heathrow security

Some items must not be packed in your hand luggage, while some cannot be taken on board an aircraft at all.

If these items are discovered in your hand luggage they will be confiscated and not returned.

Scissors (unless both blades are round-ended and 3cm or under).
Razor blades. Razors with the blade set into a plastic moulding are allowed, but razors that can be opened and the blade removed are prohibited.
Knives with blades of any length.
Household cutlery (large spoons/tablespoons are NOT permitted; however small teaspoons are allowed).
Hypodermic needles (unless required for medical reasons, for which proof will be required).
Tools (including multi-tools and penknives).
Catapults.
Corkscrews.
Walking/hiking poles.
Toy/replica guns (metal or plastic).
Sporting bats.
Darts.
Billiard, snooker or pool cues.

For safety reasons, the following items cannot be taken on to an aircraft. Please do not pack them in any luggage (cabin or hold):

To avoid bags becoming jammed on the conveyor belt, please ensure that:

When deciding what to pack and what to carry as hand baggage, please bear the following in mind:

Don’t wrap gifts. Security staff may wish to view them, and so may unwrap them.
Consider putting a change of clothes, or at least underwear and a spare shirt, into your hand baggage. It can mean a little extra comfort at the end of a long-haul flight, or if hold baggage is delayed.
Don’t carry anything on to an aircraft for anyone else.