Travelling with restricted items | Finnair Canada

Travelling with restricted items

As of 1 September 2024, only up to 100ml liquid containers will be allowed in carry-on baggage at all European airports, including Helsinki Airport.

For safety and security reasons, travelling with certain items and substances is restricted – you'll find a list of common items and their packing instructions below.

TIP: If you are departing from an airport within the European Union, you can use Finavia's tool to easily check what items you can bring on board.

What is allowed in a carry-on or a checked bag?

You can bring on board most everyday items and electronic devices needed while travelling. However, you must pay special attention to the restrictions on liquids, batteries and some other items.

Quick check: what items are allowed

The table below gives you a general overview of what you can or cannot bring on board. Note that most of these items have restrictions on them, please read further details after the table.

ItemCarry-on baggageChecked baggage
Aerosols, such as hairspray and bug repellentYes*Yes
AlcoholYes**Yes
Baby milk and baby food for the flightYesYes
BatteriesYes***No
Bike oilNoNo
Electronic cigarettesYes****No
Electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, chargers, cameras, electronic toothbrushes and drones with lithium batteries (excl. power banks, see the row below)Yes***Yes, but preferred in carry-on baggage due to safety***
Power banksYes***No
Folding knives and Swiss army knivesNoYes
Knitting and crochet needlesYesYes
LiquidsYes**Yes
Matches and cigarette lightersNot allowed in baggage, but you can carry one in your pocket
MedicinesYesYes
PowdersYes*****Yes
ScissorsYes, if the blades measure 6cm (2.4in) or lessYes
Ski waxYes, if not labelled as flammable
Solid food and snacksYes, but remember to check the restrictions of your destination country
Umbrellas and walking sticksYesYes

*Check the restrictions for aerosols below.
**Check the restrictions for liquids below.
***Check the restrictions for lithium batteries below.
****Electronic cigarettes are not permitted on flights departing from Delhi.
*****Check the restrictions for powders on flights to the USA below.

Restrictions on common items

✓ Allowed in carry-on baggage if it's a spray bottle of up to 100ml packed in a 1l plastic bag per passenger

✓ Allowed in checked baggage under the following circumstances: a maximum of 2kg/2l of aerosol products (includes perfumes, colognes, medicines containing alcohol, etc.) in total per passenger whereas the maximum size of a single product is 0.5kg/0.5l

! The bottle must be protected by a cap to prevent the contents from being accidentally released

✓ May be transported as carry-on baggage with some restrictions

✓ May be transported as checked baggage

! Maximum allowance per passenger is 5 litres in original, unopened bottles

✗ Alcoholic beverages containing more than 70% alcohol by volume are prohibited

✓ May be transported as carry-on and checked baggage

! Pyrotechnic trigger mechanism may not contain more than 200mg of Div. 1.4S explosives and/or less than 250ml of compressed gas in division 2.2

! Must be packed in a way that the mechanism cannot accidentally be activated. The air bags within the backpacks must be fitted with pressure relief valves.

! Cartridge shall be attached to the backpack. The size of the attached cartridge (containing division 2.2 gas) is not limited as long as it is meant for the backpack.

! Separate spare cartridges are not allowed for transportation unless they are small cylinders containing Division 2.2 gas without a subsidiary hazard. The water capacity of each spare cylinder must not exceed 50 ml (for carbon dioxide a gas cylinder with a water capacity of 50ml is equivalent to a 28g cartridge) and the total number of such cartridges per passenger is max. 4.

! Avalanche rescue backpacks which inflate using an electric fan that is powered by a lithium-ion battery are considered as consumer electronic devices when the battery is installed in the backpack. They are allowed within limits of the lithium-ion battery instructions. 

 

Prior approval from Finnair is needed

Please note that avalanche rescue backpacks are not allowed on flights to/from/within the USA.

✓ May be transported as carry-on baggage with several restrictions 

✗ May not be transported as checked baggage 

Lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods and their transportation is restricted. They may be carried on board in limited quantities for personal use only. 

Whenever possible, please carry your portable electronic devices (PED) that contain lithium batteries in your carry-on baggage. If you’re carrying a portable electronic device in your checked baggage, please make sure that the device is:

Completely switched off and protected from accidental activation.

Protected from the risk of accidental damage by applying suitable packaging or by being placed in a rigid bag protected by adequate cushioning, for example clothing.

Not carried in the same baggage together with any flammable materials (for example perfumes or aerosols).

Restrictions regarding lithium batteries:

✓ Lithium metal batteries containing up to 2 grams of lithium (e.g. cameras) and lithium ion batteries up to 100 watt-hours (e.g. mobile phones and laptops) may be transported as checked and carry-on baggage (carry-on is recommended) when installed in a portable device 

✓ Spare lithium metal batteries containing up to 2 grams of lithium and lithium ion batteries up to 100 watt-hours may be transported as carry-on baggage 

!  Lithium ion batteries over 100 but under 160 watt-hours (e.g. video cameras and portable medical devices) installed in a device and/or up to 2 spares: Prior approval from Finnair is needed 

✗ Lithium metal batteries containing over 2 grams of lithium and lithium ion batteries over 160 watt-hours (e.g. large power banks and car batteries) are forbidden as both checked and carry-on baggage 

✗ Recalled or damaged batteries that have not been manufactured according to good quality methods are forbidden as both checked and carry-on baggage 

!  If you’re travelling with a smart bag, the lithium battery must be removed before the bag can be transported as checked baggage. If the battery cannot be removed, the bag is forbidden as checked baggage.

!  When carrying spare batteries, the battery's electrical connections must be protected from contact with metal or other batteries, as this could cause the battery to short circuit. The best option is to keep batteries in their original packaging. If original packaging is unavailable, tape over the electrical connections. Placing each battery in its own individual plastic bag also will isolate the battery's connections. 

✗ May not be transported as carry-on baggage 

✓ May be transported as checked baggage 

! The fuel tank of the camping stove and/or fuel container must be completely drained of all liquid fuel 

✗ Gas containers, full or empty, are forbidden as both checked and carry-on baggage 

Prior approval from Finnair is needed

✓ May be transported as carry-on baggage

✗ May not be transported as checked baggage

✗ Electronic cigarettes may not be used or recharged during the flight

Devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, electronic toothbrushes and drones.

✓ May be transported as carry-on and checked baggage with restrictions regarding batteries

! Check the restrictions for lithium batteries

✗ Small vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries (e.g. AirWheel, SoloWheel, Hoverboards, Mini Segways) and electric bikes are forbidden as both checked and carry-on baggage, even if the battery is disconnected or removed

✓ May be transported as carry-on baggage with several restrictions

✓ May be transported as checked baggage 

Usually, you can take as carry-on baggage: 

! Liquids in containers of max. 100ml packed in a single, transparent, re-sealable 1-litre plastic bag

! Medicines, baby milk and baby food for the flight. You may be asked for proof of authenticity

! Duty-free goods in a sealed security bag. The item and receipt must remain sealed inside the security bag provided at the time of purchase 

Present your liquids separately from other carry-on baggage for screening at the airport security check unless otherwise instructed.

When departing from Helsinki Airport:

  • You are allowed to bring up to 2 litres of liquids per passenger.
  • The size of the liquid containers in carry-on baggage is restricted to a maximum of 100ml packages at all European airports, including Helsinki Airport, as of 1 September 2024.
  • You do not need to remove the liquids from your bag at the security control. 

✓ Permitted only when carried on the person, not as carry-on or checked baggage

! Only one small packet of matches or one cigarette lighter permitted

✗ Lighter fuel and lighter refills are forbidden as both checked and carry-on baggage

✓ May be transported as carry-on and checked baggage

! If you need any medication during the flight or at the airport, pack it in your carry-on baggage

! Pack all medicines in a separate bag, preferably in the original packaging

! Take along the prescription and doctor's certificate, especially if your illness requires treatment with injectable medication

Due to the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) regulations, transporting powder-like substances in carry-on bags on flights to the USA is forbidden, excluding:

✓ powders less than 350ml/12oz in size

✓ medical powders with prescription

✓ baby formula

✓ human remains

✓ powders in STEB-bag purchased at the airport, with proof of purchase sealed within.

All other powders must be placed in checked baggage.

✓ May be transported as carry-on and checked baggage

! Max. two small cylinders attached to the life jacket and max. two spare cylinders are permitted

Prior approval from Finnair is needed

What is not allowed in baggage?

You are not allowed to bring with you small vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries, electric bicycles, more than 2kg/2l of aerosol products per person, aerosol products that are over 0.5kg/0.5l, gas containers, more than 5 litres of alcohol or alcoholic beverages containing more than 70% alcohol. Matches and cigarette lighters are not allowed in your baggage, but you can carry one on person in your pocket.

Dangerous goods

Certain items are considered dangerous and are not permitted on board as carry-on baggage, and some items or substances are not permitted aboard the aircraft even as checked baggage.

Prohibited items in carry-on baggage

  • Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles.
  • Objects with a sharp edge or workmen's tools capable of being used to threaten the safety of the aircraft.
  • Devices designed specifically to stun or immobilise.
  • Tools capable of being used either to cause serious injury or to threaten the safety of the aircraft.
  • Blunt instruments capable of being used to cause serious injury when used to hit. 

Prohibited items in carry-on and checked baggage

Explosives and incendiary substances and devices capable of being used to cause serious injury or to pose a threat to the safety of the aircraft, including: 

  • ammunition,
  • blasting caps,
  • detonators and fuses,
  • mines, grenades and other explosive military stores,
  • fireworks and other pyrotechnics,
  • smoke-generating canisters and cartridges,
  • dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives.

This information applies to all flights operated by Finnair – if your trip includes flights operated by other airlines, please check their baggage regulations. 

Read more about baggage allowance when flying with several airlines

Navigated to page: Travelling with restricted items