Yes, with limits. Skin-applied repellent is allowed: 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less in carry-ons, and up to 17 fl oz (500 ml) per aerosol can in checked bags. Insecticide sprays meant for the air or for insects are not allowed in carry-ons.
TSA allows bug repellent applied to the skin in carry-on bags in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, in your quart-size bag. Aerosol insecticides and repellents sprayed into the air or at insects are not allowed in carry-ons.
Skin-applied aerosol repellent counts toward FAA toiletry limits: 0.5 kg (18 oz) or 500 ml (17 fl oz) per can, 2 kg (70 oz) or 2 L (68 fl oz) per person, nozzle capped. Pump sprays, lotions and wipes are generally not hazmat unless flammable (some picaridin liquids are), in which case the same limits apply. TSA allows aerosol insecticide in checked bags only if it is not labeled HAZMAT.
Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.
The rules in numbers
- Skin-applied repellent in carry-on: 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container, in your quart-size bag
- Checked aerosol repellent: max 0.5 kg (18 oz) / 500 ml (17 fl oz) per can, nozzle capped
- Checked total for restricted toiletries and aerosols: 2 kg (70 oz) / 2 L (68 fl oz) per person
- Non-aerosol, non-flammable repellents (pump, lotion, wipes): no FAA quantity limit in checked bags
- Aerosol insecticides / area sprays: not allowed in carry-on; checked only if not labeled HAZMAT
Packing tips
- Repellent wipes skip the liquids bag and the aerosol rules entirely.
- Room foggers and wasp sprays are not body-applied, so they don't get the toiletry exception; buy them at your destination.
- Check the label for a 'flammable' warning on pump repellents; flammable ones must stay within the 500 ml per container limit in checked bags.
Outside the US
- UKSprays and lotions are liquids on GOV.UK: 100 ml per container at most UK airports, with some airports allowing up to 2 litres. Source
- EULiquid and aerosol repellents must be 100 ml or less per container in one transparent bag of up to 1 litre. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Can I bring DEET bug spray on a plane?
Yes, if it is a repellent applied to your skin: 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less in a carry-on, and up to 500 ml (17 fl oz) per can in checked bags with the nozzle capped.
Can I pack insecticide spray in my luggage?
Not in a carry-on. TSA allows aerosol insecticide in checked bags only if it is not labeled HAZMAT, and the FAA does not treat area or insect-targeted sprays as toiletries.