📚 Books

Books are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage everywhere without restriction, so screeners will not stop you or ask you to remove them from your bag for anything other than a routine X-ray view. TSA actually recommends removing books from your bag and placing them in a separate bin at US checkpoints to give screeners a clearer image, which can speed up the process. No books will be confiscated.

Aviation security worldwide has no restrictions on book content, but customs authorities in some countries do restrict or prohibit publications they consider politically or morally objectionable. This is a customs matter rather than a security one, and it varies significantly by destination. If you are traveling with books on sensitive topics, check the import rules of your destination country.

Dense stacks of books can create a confusing X-ray image that obscures other items, making it harder for screeners to confirm the bag's contents. TSA guidance recommends placing books in a separate bin at US airports during screening, similar to laptops. This is not a restriction on books — it is a practical step to keep the line moving and avoid a manual bag check.

Books are among the heaviest items per volume that travelers commonly pack, and a full carry-on of hardbacks can easily push a bag over an airline's weight limit even if it fits in the overhead bin. Weigh your bag before you leave home if you are packing several books. Checked bag weight limits are also worth checking — overweight fees can exceed the cost of shipping books ahead.