Before you pack your bags

Check what you are planning to carry.

If in doubt, ask!

Common substances found in homes - things such as pesticides, petrol, paint, mineral turpentine, methylated sprit, gas cylinders, oven and drain cleaners, bleach, glues and aerosols – are potentially dangerous goods.

In an aircraft, flying high above the earth, and subject to severe atmospheric pressure (up to 75kPa), extremes of temperature (minus 40°C to plus 55°C) and vibration (1G to 8G of acceleration), they can behave unpredictably, and dangerously.

If you are planning to carry other household items, check to see whether there is a hazardous symbol on the container.

example of the hazardous symbol often seen on a container of dangerous goods

If there is, ask yourself ‘Do I really need to take it? Or, can I buy it when I get there instead?’. If you are still not sure:

Check the cover of your ticket to see if what you are planning to carry is on the list of forbidden or restricted ‘dangerous goods’.
Check the website of the airline you are flying with.
Check the CASA website at Dangerous goods
Contact the airline you are flying with. Their trained staff will be only too happy to help with your enquiry, and can tell you what you can and can’t carry.

Some things were never meant to fly.