Can You Bring Night Vision Goggles and Other NV Devices on Planes?

Rules for Flights in the USA

Night vision goggles are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage on United States flights with certain restrictions. Night vision goggles work with two different mechanics. The most common night vision goggles use a highly sensitive sensor or a photon multiplier to amplify low light, resulting in a green image. The less common night goggles use thermal technology to convert heat signatures into images. 

Therefore, night vision goggles themselves don’t represent a threat, nor do they interfere with the airplane’s systems because they don’t use transmit radiowaves as other electronic devices.

Night vision goggles and other night vision devices are classified in Gen 1, 2, and 3, and Gen 3 plus. Gen 1 is the most common in the market and the one with the least quality. Gen 3 is the most powerful of all, and it is also the one used by the military.

Although all night vision goggles are allowed on domestic flights, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), prohibits traveling with Gen 3 night vision devices on international flights and it’s punishable with fines and even prison. It’s not because the technology itself represents a threat to the flight, but it’s to prevent these devices from being used for military purposes in other countries. To travel with Gen 2 devices, travelers will need a special license from the Department of Commerce. 

Although some websites classify their night vision products as Gen 4, overall, it isn’t a real classification, as Gen 4 products aren’t strong enough to be considered an upgrade from Gen 3. Stronger night vision goggles than Gen 3 are classified as Gen 3 plus.

If you’re traveling with night vision goggles domestically, also keep in mind some states prohibit using night vision devices for hunting. 

Rules for Flights in Other Countries

Canada, Europe, and the UK

On flights within Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom, night vision goggles aren’t specifically mentioned as banned or allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. Overall, night vision goggles are allowed but there are rules for their use and exportation. In Canada, most parts of Europe, and parts of the UK, it’s forbidden to use night vision devices for hunting. Any night vision device entering the country must be used solely for observation. Also, in multiple countries of Europe, owning a Gen 3 night vision device is illegal.   

New Zealand, Australia, and China

New Zealand, Australian, and Chinese authorities don’t list night vision goggles as allowed or banned items. But there aren’t any restrictions for civil use, so we can assume they are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage on planes.

India

Indian authorities don’t mention night vision goggles specifically in their list of allowed and banned items on carry-on and checked baggage. Still, in India, it’s forbidden for civilians to have any kind of night vision device. This means you can’t bring them into the country in your luggage.

Sources: For writing this article, we took information only from official sources, like airline regulators, government websites, and major airlines. If you want to confirm that our information is accurate and up to date, click on any of the links mentioned above. We linked out to where we found this information for each country.

Disclaimer: The final decision of whether you can bring night vision devices onboard airplanes always rests on the security officer. Some airlines also have additional rules that may be different.