Is it possible to bring matches on a plane?

medium.com/p/faf885ca700a

Asia Match - Safety Matches November 10, 2023

Asia Match - Safety Matches

--

Are you confused about bringing the matchboxes in flight?

Yes! As the matchboxes are becoming an essential thing to ignite the stoves, campfires, and
huge chimneys, the demand for matchboxes is increasing exponentially worldwide. Hence
the supply of matchboxes is also rising higher, and so they are exported worldwide.

The matchboxes are widely exported via sea-route as they are transported in bulk orders
and also considered to be safe. But one question comes to mind whether they can be carried
in flights, either in commercial or by private.

It is because the matchboxes are slightly explosive and they are having toxic chemicals,
even though they are made up of wood, and there are some restrictions that some things
should not be carried in the plane set by TSA.

1/5
If you are puzzled whether you can bring matchboxes on a plane, this blog will help you
understand the rules and regulations for bringing the matchboxes during air travel.

Table Of Contents
1. TSA Rules — An Overview
2. Can you bring Matchboxes on a Plane?
3. Strike Anywhere Matches? Not Allowed here!
4. Are Matchboxes allowed on international flights?
5. Safety Measures During Flight

Approval from Airlines

Pack the matchboxes in closed boxes.
Make the match heads closed by aluminum foil.
A piece of advice from the senior officials
The matches should be kept in Carry-On luggage
Avoid Keeping the matches near flammable objects
Taking the Matchbox in the International flights

6. Frequently Asked Questions

7. Bottom Line

TSA Rules — An Overview

The TSA, is defined by the Transportation Security Administration, was established after the
Twin Tower Blast on 9/11. The main objective of the TSA rule is to strengthen safety during
flight travel. This scheme ensures the freedom of people and products migrating into the air.

This organization has more trained professionals and advanced equipment to improve safety
for passengers during air travel. Travellers also should cooperate with the TSA rules to
enhance travel safety.

According to the rules of the TSA, You can transport the matchboxes on the flight. But there
are some safety constraints for bringing it into the air.

Can you bring Matches on a Plane?

This is the central question: can you bring matches on a plane ? That arises in whether the
matchboxes can be transported during air travel, as it is tiny yet explosive.

You can bring the safety matches on the flight, but you are not allowed to bring Strike
Anywhere matches. As per TSA rules, you can get the matchboxes in smaller quantities.

2/5
Strike Anywhere Matches? Not Allowed here!
According to the rules of TSA, strike-anywhere matches are not allowed to be carried on the
flights. The primary reason for not allowing these matches is that they will easily catch fire
when rubbed on the hard frictional surfaces.

Hence, this will lead to catching fire quickly, which causes several hazards in the middle of
the air for all passengers and crew inside the plane.

Are Matchboxes allowed on international flights?

Most airlines will permit you to carry the safety matches inside the flights. But there is only
one condition, which is to bring only one matchbox inside. However, strike-anywhere
matches are not allowed during air travel because of the rapid-fire catching and high
inflammability.

Any hazards caused by the matchboxes carried inside the flights will be confiscated by their
respective authorities and officers.

Safety Measures During Flight

Approval from Airlines

It is recommended to carry the certificate from the respected airlines or embassy for proof of
checking with them. Hence, this will allow you to bring the matchboxes by packing them
inside the bags during the flight.

Pack the matchboxes in closed boxes

It is advisable to pack the matchboxes in a tight metal or cardboard box so there will be no
damage to the striking surface or match heads during the transition.

Make the match heads closed by aluminum foil

Close the matchsticks by covering the match heads with any sheet of paper or aluminum foil
so that there will be no friction in the middle of the air between the matchsticks and the
striking surfaces.

A piece of advice from the senior officials

It is better to get some advice and suggestions from the officers of the respective airlines, as
the countries have different laws and rules. The decision to bring the matchboxes on the
flight depends on the officers.

3/5
The matches should be kept in Carry-On luggage
It is ensured that the matchboxes and the matchsticks should be carried in the Carry-On
luggage for more safety purposes.

This is because it is still being determined what will happen from the matchbox when they
are kept in the checked bags in the luggage compartment. It is still being determined if it will
be safer, as the temperature in the checked section is not equal to that in the passenger
cabin.

Avoid Keeping the matches near flammable objects

Since it is in mid-air, there will be no emergency services. So, to be precautious, it is
recommended to keep the matches away from combustible substances such as liquids, fuels
and other hazardous substances.

Taking the matchbox in the International flights

Taking the matchbox on international flights depends on the decision of the higher officials
from their respective airlines, as they have different rules and regulations which rely on their
services. Hence, it is better to check on the airlines’ websites and in the destination country
whether the match products are allowed or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

i) Can you bring matches on a plane?

Yes, you can bring the matchboxes, but ensure that these should be safety matches. It is
advisable to keep your matchboxes inside the sealed boxes. Also, to ensure safety, it is
better to keep the matchboxes in carry-on luggage rather than in the checked section.

ii) Are the lighters allowed in the flight?

Like matches, you are allowed to bring lighters during air travel. But ensure that the lighter
should be refilled with fuel so that you can drain off the fuel from the lighter. Another
important thing is that torch lighters should be kept from air travel as they are highly
inflammable.

iii) What type of matchboxes are allowed during air travel?

It is recommended to carry only one matchbox during air travel, which is a safety match, as
they get ignited only on the striking surface. But strike-anywhere matches are not allowed, as
they catch fire rapidly and ignite when the matchstick strikes anywhere.

iv) How many matchboxes can you carry?

4/5
For safety purposes, you can carry only one box, or one packet of safety matches you can
carry during air-travel. As these are sensitive, it is advisable not to carry beyond limits.

Bottom Line
The process of carrying matchboxes during air travel is complicated and risky, yet it is
allowed to be taken with certain restrictions. Also, it depends on the respective airline’s
officers and the rules and regulations of the destination countries. So, it is better to confirm
with them and have a straightforward clarity to carry the matchbox with you.

If you want to carry the matchbox with you during the air travel. In that case, it is your
responsibility to take care of them and avoid any mishap in the middle of the air by taking
necessary safety measures to prevent any accidents during travel.

It is necessary to have a clear plan before bringing the matchboxes without any further
problems. As do not catch fire easily, they are recommended to be a safer option during
flight.

5/5