Canada keeps the 100ml container and 1-litre bag rule. Unlike the US, it allows small knives (blades of 6cm or less) in carry-on bags, except on flights to the US, which are screened to US rules. Canada also limits inorganic powders such as sand or bath salts to under 350ml.
Checked against official pages on . Authority: Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and Transport Canada; Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for food at the border.
Liquids
Liquids, aerosols, gels, non-solid food and personal items must be in containers of 100ml/100g (3.4oz) or less, all in one clear resealable bag of no more than 1 litre. One bag per passenger.
- Inorganic powders, such as baby powder, bath salts or sand, are limited to less than 350ml or 350g in the carry-on.
- Exempt: prescription medicines, essential non-prescription medicines such as cough syrup, and baby food, milk, formula, water and juice for children under 2. Declare these to the screening officer.
- Food that is normally liquid but frozen solid is not allowed in the carry-on.
- CATSA's pages do not mention any liquids relaxation tied to CT scanners.
Source: CATSA: Liquids, non-solid food and personal items; Transport Canada: What not to bring on a plane
Lighters and matches
Transport Canada bans any device that can ignite from checked baggage. Look up carry-on lighter and match rules in CATSA's 'What can I bring?' item search.
- Flares, fireworks and smoke canisters are banned from carry-on bags.
Source: Transport Canada: What not to bring on a plane
Knives, scissors and sharp items
Knives with blades of 6cm or less are allowed in carry-on bags on domestic flights and on international flights not going to the US. No knives of any size are allowed in carry-on bags on flights to the United States. Scissors with blades of 6cm or less, measured from the pivot, are allowed.
- Measure the blade from its point to where it meets the handle.
- Knives with longer blades, box cutters, multitools with blades and saws must go in checked baggage.
- Knives that open automatically and concealed knives are banned in all baggage.
- Screwdrivers and chisels with shafts over 6cm are banned from carry-on bags. Nail clippers and tweezers are allowed.
- The screening officer has the final say.
Source: CATSA: Knives; CATSA: Scissors; CATSA blog (2026): Bringing sharp objects through security
Batteries and power banks
Pack power banks and spare lithium batteries in your carry-on. Spares up to 100Wh are allowed. From 101Wh to 160Wh, you may carry up to two individually protected spares, with airline approval. Batteries over 160Wh are not allowed in the carry-on.
- CATSA says spares up to 100Wh go in checked baggage only with the airline's approval.
- Many airlines prohibit charging devices on board, and airline rules may be stricter than CATSA's.
- Wh = volts x amp-hours (divide mAh by 1,000 to get amp-hours).
- For mobility devices, one spare battery of up to 300Wh may go through screening. Notify the airline in advance.
Source: CATSA: Guidelines for batteries; CATSA: Portable charger 100-160Wh
Food
Non-solid foods such as yogurt, pudding, peanut butter and jam must be 100ml or less and go in the 1-litre bag. A food counts as solid only if it is solid at room temperature.
- Arriving in Canada, you must declare all food, plants, animals and related products to CBSA. Undeclared items can be confiscated, and you may face a fine or prosecution.
- Food over the personal limits set by Global Affairs Canada can attract duty of 150% to 300% unless you hold an import permit.
Source: CATSA: Liquids, non-solid food and personal items; CBSA: Declare to the CBSA
Medication
Liquid, gel and aerosol medications may exceed 100ml and do not need to go in the 1-litre bag. Solid tablets have no limit. Show all medications to the screening officer.
- Supporting documents are not required, but original pharmacy-labelled containers are recommended.
- Medicinal powders and mineral supplements are limited to 350ml/g in total.
- Syringes and needles are allowed with the needle guard on and the medication with you.
- Ice or gel packs are allowed when they are needed to keep medicine cold or to treat an injury.