🔌 Extension cord

Nothing — extension cords are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage with no special restrictions, and screeners will pass them through without issue. A coiled cord can occasionally look dense on X-ray and prompt a brief bag check, but once identified it will be waved through.

There are no known regional aviation restrictions on extension cords in either carry-on or checked baggage. While some airlines prohibit the use of personal extension cords in the cabin for electrical safety reasons, transporting them is universally permitted. Destination country customs rules also do not typically restrict personal-use extension cords.

A tightly coiled multi-socket extension cord can occasionally cause a secondary bag check because the dense coil of wire can obscure other items on the X-ray image. If your bag is pulled, the screener simply needs to identify what the coiled object is and confirm nothing is concealed inside the coil. The process is quick and the cord will not be confiscated.

Loosely coiling the cord rather than wrapping it tightly makes it easier to read on an X-ray screen and reduces the chance of a secondary search. Place it near the top or edge of your bag so a screener can identify it quickly without unpacking everything else. A compact travel power strip — which is essentially a short extension cord with multiple outlets — is a practical alternative that takes up less space.