Are you wondering if you can bring candles on your next flight?
In most instances, you will be fine.
You can bring solid candles on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, but some candles like gel, liquid and sparkler candles will either have restrictions or be outright banned.
Let’s take a closer at what the TSA says about each type of candle, how to best pack candles in your suitcase, and more.
A solid wax candle will typically be made of paraffin wax, but other substances could include soy wax, palm wax, and beeswax, to name just a few.
The good news that regardless of what type of solid wax candle you want to fly with, you will be fine to pack it in either your carry on or checked bags.
So this means that you will be fine to bring taper, pillar, birthday, and scented candles on a plane.
Glass Candles
As you can bring glass on a plane, you can pack glass candles in both your carry on and checked bags without running into any issues.
Floating Candles
Floating candles, which are lightweight and usually made of paraffin or palm oil wax, are fine to pack in both your carry on and checked bags.
Flameless LED Candles
Flameless LED candles use batteries to function.
While the TSA has restrictions on battery-powered devices, flameless candles use such small battery packs that they will be okay to bring in your carry on and checked bags.
Tea Light Candles
Tea light candles that come in small metal containers are again fine to bring in both your carry on and checked bags.
Gel Candles
The TSA has a rule called the 3-1-1 Rule that forbids passengers from bringing any liquid, gel or aerosol in a container that is larger than 3.4oz/100ml in their carry on bags.
So as long as the gel candles you want to bring with you are in containers that do not exceed 3.4oz/100ml, you can pack them in your carry on bags.
If they are larger, you should pack them in your checked bags, otherwise they will be confiscated.
Sparkler Candles
The TSA does not specifically mention whether sparkler candles are allowed or disallowed.
But they do state that sparklers aren’t allowed in either your carry on or checked bags, so it’s best to leave them at home.
Liquid Candles
As the TSA 3-1-1 Rule states that liquids are forbidden in containers greater than 3.4oz/100ml in your carry on, make sure that you pack larger liquid candles in your checked bags.
Domestic vs. International Flights
The restrictions are the same regardless if you’re flying domestically within the USA or internationally.
So this means that sparkler candles are forbidden, and gel and liquid candles should be no larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
All other candles will be fine to bring.
By Airline
As airlines follow TSA guidelines, it doesn’t matter if you’re flying with Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, United, or any other regional or major carrier.
The same restrictions as stated above apply.
How to Pack Candles in Your Carry On Bag
If you want to bring candles on a plane in your carry on bags, you should:
Place the candles in a ziplock candle, so it can easily be recognized as you pass through security
Pack the candles near the op of the bag for easy access if you are asked to remove them
How to Pack Candles in Your Checked Bags
Candles are fragile, so we recommend packing them in your carry on bags.
But if you really want to pack candles in your checked bags or have no choice but to, you should:
Place the candles in a ziplock bag in case the wax melts or softens
Pack the candles close to the center of your suitcase for protection
Place the candles within a few layers of soft clothing
The TSA state that lighters are allowed on a plane, in your carry on bags. This includes disposable and zippo lighters that either contain fuel or are empty.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
