🔧 Pliers

Pliers will be confiscated at the checkpoint — they are prohibited in carry-on baggage under TSA rules and the equivalent rules at virtually every airport worldwide. Screeners have no discretion to allow them through regardless of the intended use. If you realise your mistake before reaching the checkpoint, return to check-in and ask to have your bag checked.

The prohibition on pliers in carry-on baggage is essentially universal across all major aviation authorities. Whether you're flying in the US, Europe, the UK, Canada, or Australia, pliers are classified as a tool that could be used as a weapon and are not permitted in the cabin.

Multi-tools that include pliers are treated the same as standalone pliers and are prohibited in carry-on baggage. The presence of pliers in any form in a multi-tool makes the entire tool prohibited, even if the knife blade is removed or absent. The whole multi-tool must go in checked baggage.

Pack pliers in checked baggage — there is no workaround that permits them in the cabin. Wrapping them or placing them in a tool roll is good practice to protect your other belongings and to avoid sharp edges catching on bag contents. Declaration is generally not required for hand tools in checked baggage.