🔪 Box cutter / Stanley knife

Box cutters are explicitly banned from carry-on on every commercial flight, and there is no officer discretion — it will be confiscated immediately. You will not be allowed to take it through under any circumstances. If you realise before reaching the front of the queue, return to check-in and place it in your checked bag.

In the US and most other regions, box cutters are permitted in checked baggage as long as they are properly sheathed or protected so they cannot injure baggage handlers. No major aviation authority bans them from checked luggage entirely. The carry-on ban is absolute everywhere, but checked is a reliable option for taking a utility knife.

No. Box cutters and utility knives are among the most explicitly listed prohibited carry-on items in aviation security rules worldwide, largely because of their historic role in aviation security incidents. There is zero discretion — every screener is required to confiscate them, and no argument or appeal at the checkpoint will change the outcome.

Pack the box cutter in your checked baggage in a sturdy case or wrapped securely so the blade is fully protected. Retractable blades should be fully retracted before packing. If you are travelling with only carry-on, your only option is to ship the tool ahead or purchase a new one at your destination and leave it behind.