• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Clever journey logo with transparent background

Clever Journey gets you prepared for your next vacation with independent travel product reviews, packing tips, and travel advice. Check us out!

  • Gear Guides
  • Reviews
  • Tips & Advice
    • Travel Tips
    • What Can I Bring on a Plane?
    • Travel Gear
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Search
  • Gear Guides
  • Reviews
  • Tips & Advice
    • Travel Tips
    • What Can I Bring on a Plane?
    • Travel Gear
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Search

Can You Bring Pencil Sharpeners on Planes?

By Vanessa Ramos | Last Updated December 10, 2022

We use affiliate links, and receive a small commission if you make purchases through them. Find out more here.
Pencil sharpener and a pencil

Carry-on bags

Yes

Checked luggage

Yes

Rules for Flights in the USA

On flights in the United States, pencil sharpeners are allowed in hand and cargo baggage. TSA doesn’t list any exceptions, so we can assume both electric and manual sharpeners are permitted on planes.

However, the TSA does mention that the security agent at the airport always makes the final decision. So theoretically, a TSA agent might deem it dangerous and forbid it from your hand luggage. However, this is very unlikely to happen as pencil sharpeners are generally considered safe.

Rules for Flights in Other Countries

Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, China, and India

In Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, China, and India it isn’t specified if pencil sharpeners are allowed on planes. But, their rules are almost identical to the US, and pencil sharpeners are generally allowed in hand and cargo baggage. But, airport security agents have the last call on allowing pencil sharpeners on a plane. Larger pencil sharpeners with larger blades or exposed blades are more likely to raise concerns.

Europe

In Europe, pencil sharpeners are generally allowed in hand and cargo baggage. However, some countries and airlines prohibit pencil sharpeners in cabin baggage. Passengers should consult directly with their air carrier to see if they can take pencil sharpeners onboard.

 

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 pencil sharpeners on planes always rests on the security officer. Some airlines also have additional rules that may be different.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bringing Pencil Sharpeners on Planes

Do pencil sharpeners count as sharp items on airplanes?

Generally, pencil sharpeners don’t count as sharp items on planes in the United States. TSA allows them in hand and cargo baggage without any restrictions. Although pencil sharpeners have a blade, it’s usually too small to be considered a problem, similar to can openers. It’s also concealed, so you can’t hurt anyone with it. However, if a TSA agent believes your pencil sharpener represents a threat, then he has the authority to prevent it from boarding the plane.

Are electric pencil sharpeners also allowed on planes?

Electric pencil sharpeners are generally allowed on planes in the United States. TSA states all pencil sharpeners are welcome onboard and it doesn’t list any exceptions. So, we can assume electric pencil sharpeners can be packed in hand and cargo baggage. Yet, the security agent at the airport has the final call on whether an electric pencil sharpener can travel in the plane.

Is it better to pack pencil sharpeners in hand or checked luggage?

Overall, it’s best to pack pencil sharpeners in checked luggage when traveling in the United States. Although pencil sharpeners are allowed in hand and cargo baggage, there is always a small chance that the airport security agent might find it threatening. Unless you want to draw and use the sharpener onboard, pack it in your checked luggage. On the contrary, if you are planning to draw during the flight, then pack your sharpener, pencils, and markers together in a large capacity pencil case inside your carry-on. Having all of your supplies together evidences why you’re carrying a pencil sharpener in case the security agent has any questions about it.

Can I take pencils on planes (regular and colored)?

Yes, you can take both regular and colored pencils on planes in the United States. You can pack them in hand and cargo baggage. Pencils aren’t considered dangerous items regardless of their size, material, or how sharp they are. Graphite, carbon, and watercolor pencils are all permitted in United States planes without packaging requirements or quantity limits.

Read Next: Can You Bring Your Art Portfolio on Planes?

Can I bring pencil lead on planes?

In general, you can bring pencil lead on United States planes. Pencil lead isn’t actually made of lead or any material that is considered harmful to humans. It isn’t sharp enough to be considered dangerous either. TSA doesn’t list it as a banned item, which means you can pack it in carry-on and checked baggage.

Find Out the Packing Rules for Similar Items

Redirecting...

About Vanessa Ramos

Vanessa is a freelance writer and a minimalist backpacker. She likes the outdoors, coffee, and letters. She believes every day is a good day to hike in a rainforest, enjoy a warm cup of coffee, or take a plane anywhere.

Want more like this?

Join our newsletter to get the latest travel tips, packing hacks, gear reviews, and bargain deals straight to your inbox. We won’t send you any spam.

 
 

Other ways to connect with us:

Pinterest social icon on a transparent backgroundTwitter social icon on a transparent backgroundFacebook social icon on a transparent backgroundYoutube social icon on a transparent background

You Might Also Enjoy

Lock picking set kit on white background

Can You Bring Lock Picks on Planes?

Green Philips clothing iron

Can You Bring Clothing Irons on Planes?

Empty knife and gun leather and carbon fiber holsters

Can You Bring Empty Holsters on Planes?

Play-Doh Slime

Can You Bring Slime (Play-Doh) on Planes?

A red bicycle lock

Can You Bring Bicycle Locks on Planes?

A pile of beef jerky

Can You Bring Beef Jerky on Planes?

Lock picking set kit on white background

Can You Bring Lock Picks on Planes?

Green Philips clothing iron

Can You Bring Clothing Irons on Planes?

Empty knife and gun leather and carbon fiber holsters

Can You Bring Empty Holsters on Planes?

Primary Sidebar

GET CONNECTED

Follow Clever Journey on social media for travel tips, packing hacks, and latest updates!

Pinterest social icon on a transparent backgroundTwitter social icon on a transparent backgroundFacebook social icon on a transparent backgroundYoutube social icon on a transparent background

SUB TO NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest travel tips, packing hacks, gear reviews, and bargain deals straight to your inbox. We hate spam, so we’ll send only the most important stuff.
 
 
buy maxlite 5 here: amazon.com

Footer

Disclosure

www.cleverjourney.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also participate in other affiliate programs.

Find out more

Site Footer

Pinterest social icon on a transparent backgroundTwitter social icon on a transparent backgroundFacebook social icon on a transparent backgroundYoutube social icon on a transparent background
  • Gear Guides
  • Reviews
  • Tips & Advice
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Newsletter

www.cleverjourney.com all rights reserved © 2023 | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of service