TSA Guidelines on Vapes: Will TSA Take My Vape Out of My Bag?

If you are traveling and want to keep your vape by your side, here's good news for you: TSA allows you to carry your vape in your carry-on baggage. Similar to other electronic devices with Lithium-ion batteries—phones, laptops, and cameras—TSA permits you to fly with your vape in carry-on luggage instead of checked baggage.

However, to prevent accidental activation, you need to take effective measures regarding the heating element of the device during transportation. When you are on the plane, you shouldn’t smoke vapes or e-cigarettes under any circumstances.

In this blog, we’ll cover more TSA rules and guidelines regarding traveling with a vape. Read till the end to make your trip smooth and safe.

What is the TSA?

TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has authority over the security of the transportation system and provides information to passengers. Their main focus is airport security.

In airports, the TSA screens passengers and luggage to prevent any safety risks. There are specific rules about what items can be in carry-on luggage or checked luggage. These rules involve regulations about packing liquids, electronics, lithium batteries, and more. By following TSA guidelines, you’ll be well-informed about what to bring and what not to bring before arriving at the airport.

TSA Rules and Regulations on Vapes in 2024

Here, we’ve listed some of the TSA policies, rules, and regulations for 2024:

• Carry electronic smoking devices only in carry-on baggage.
• Remove the battery from your device, separate it, and place it in a protective case.
• Use the cover of the safety latch to prevent accidental activation of the device’s heating element.
• Make sure that your batteries don’t exceed 100 Wh for lithium-ion batteries or 2 grams for lithium-metal batteries.
• Don’t carry more than two spare fuel cell cartridges.
• Don’t charge your vaping device while aboard an aircraft.
• TSA vape rules include being durably marked by the manufacturer to make sure that it’s safe to be carried.
• Don’t pack disposable vapes in checked bags.

Vapes and Security Scanners

You might wonder whether the TSA will detect your vape with security scanners. In airports, security scanners detect all prohibited items, including vapes and other smoking devices. There are a variety of security measures in place to detect any vaping activity in an airport or airplane. These high-end security scanners mostly detect devices emitting chemicals such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and nicotine.

Vape Detection Methods

There are a variety of security detectors in airports that may detect vaping. Some of the most common methods of vape detection include:

• Smoke Detectors are traditional smoke detectors that may detect vapor from all kinds of vaping devices if the vapor is dense.
• Air Quality Sensors monitor air, humidity, and airborne particles. They also detect all the chemicals present in the vapor.
• Acoustic Sensors use microphones to listen to distinct sounds that are created by your vaping devices.
• Visual Detection includes CCTV cameras that detect all the vaping activity visually.

Does the TSA Scanner Detect Vape Components?

Yes, the TSA scanner detects all of the vape components, including:

• Atomizer
• Battery
• Mouthpiece
• E-liquid

All the components are flagged easily in a scanner; however, some components are flagged more easily than others.

Can You Bring Vapes on the Plane?

Yes, you can carry a vape on the plane, but it must be carried in carry-on baggage. You must also take safety measures to prevent the heating elements of your device from being activated while you are flying.

How to Pack a Vape and Its Components for Air Travel?

While packing your vape and components for air travel, we’d recommend you do the following things:

• Turn off your vaping device.
• Remove the batteries from your vaping device and keep them separately.
• Make sure that your metal battery has a lithium/rating content of 100 Wh or less.
• Carry less than 100ml of e-liquid in your carry-on baggage.

Traveling with Vapes: Tips and Tricks

When traveling with a vape, you need to read and follow e-cigarette regulations. Different airlines and airports have their own policies, rules, and regulations. When packing your vape and its gear, make sure that it's packed correctly, and keep your devices and batteries only in your carry-on baggage.

Pre-Flight Vape Checklist

Here are a few things to double-check before you fly with a vape:

• Empty your tanks before heading to the airport.
• Put batteries in battery cases
• Don’t carry THC and CBD cartridges
• Place batteries, devices, and tanks separately while packing them in your carry-on bag.
• Empty a little bit of e-juice to prevent leakage from each bottle
• Don’t carry coil-building tools with you
• Check out the website of the airline you are flying with to get familiar with the general rules
• Don’t charge your vaping device on the flight

International Travel with Vapes

Vaping is legal in some countries, but this is not true everywhere. Before carrying your vapes to any country, be sure to become familiar with its rules and regulations. In some countries, your vape kit will be confiscated, whereas in other countries, you might be at risk of consequences. To be on the safe side, research all the rules before traveling internationally with vapes.

Safety Measures When Flying With Vapes

Some of the safety measures for flying with vapes are listed below:

• Keep your extra batteries in safe plastic to avoid accidents at all costs.
• Leave your vaping device empty until you reach your destination.
• Carry e-juice with a higher nicotine strength so you can take less liquid with you.
• Don’t take cannabis products like THC oil cartridges on a plane.

Conclusion

Traveling with a vaping device can be simple and convenient if you are aware of the TSA guidelines ahead of time. Use caution when packing and double-check that the batteries or e-liquid you are bringing follow the regulation limits to avoid any hassle. Since vaping devices must be in carry-on luggage, it should be easy to keep your vaping devices and equipment with you the whole time you are traveling. 

FAQS