💼 Cabin bag
Permitted freely. Older X-ray systems may ask you to remove it from your bag for separate screening — follow officer instructions.
✈️ Hold (checked)
Permitted without restriction.
E-reader
Common questions
At many US airports, screeners using older X-ray equipment will ask you to remove your e-reader and place it in a separate bin, similar to a laptop. If you leave it in your bag and the image is unclear, the bag will be held for manual inspection, which adds time. Removing it proactively at US checkpoints is the quickest approach.
US airports are more likely to still be running older X-ray technology that struggles to produce a clear image when electronics are stacked inside a packed bag. UK, EU, and Australian airports have largely rolled out CT-based or newer X-ray equipment that can see through a packed bag clearly, so screeners at those checkpoints rarely ask for e-readers to be removed.
The screener will simply place the e-reader in a separate bin and run it through the X-ray again on its own. This takes under a minute in most cases. Occasionally there will be a swab test for explosive traces, which is also quick. Your e-reader will be returned to you immediately after — this is an inspection, not a confiscation.
In the US, keep your e-reader near the top of your bag or in an outer pocket so you can remove it quickly without unpacking. In other regions you can leave it buried in your bag since removal is unlikely to be requested. There is no need for a case from a security standpoint, but a case protects the screen.
Related items
Browse all Electronics →Based on official United States security guidelines. Rules vary by airline and route — always verify with your carrier before travel. · Rules last verified May 2026.