Somewhere in an airport right now, a perfectly reasonable adult is watching a TSA agent confiscate their jar of Skippy. Not because it’s dangerous. Not because it’s suspicious. But because the Transportation Security Administration has officially classified peanut butter as a liquid. Yes, really. And honestly, that’s just the beginning of the weirdness.
TSA rules are one of those things most of us only think about when we’re already in line, shoes off, frantically trying to remember if we left a water bottle in our bag. But there’s a whole world of bizarre restrictions that catch travelers off guard every single day. Here are nine of the strangest ones.
Peanut Butter Is Officially a “Liquid”
In March 2023, TSA made it official on social media, tweeting that peanut butter falls under their liquid restrictions — and adding the pun “you may not be nuts about it.” Their reasoning? TSA defines a liquid as anything that has no definite shape and takes the shape of its container. Since peanut butter is spreadable, it counts.
That means your standard 16-ounce jar of Jif is almost five times over the 3.4-ounce carry-on limit. You’d need to buy those tiny single-serve packets to bring it through security. Skippy even made a TikTok about it, showing someone packing those little squeeze packs instead of a full jar.
Here’s the kicker, though: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is totally fine. Solid food has no quantity limits in carry-on bags. So the sandwich is allowed, but the ingredients to make the sandwich are not. Make it make sense.
Hummus, Brie, and Salsa Get the Same Treatment
Peanut butter isn’t alone. TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein has confirmed that anything you can spill, spread, spray, pump, or pour has to follow the 3-1-1 rule. That includes hummus, Nutella, salsa, and soft creamy cheeses like Brie.
Hard cheeses like cheddar? Totally fine. You can carry a whole block of sharp cheddar onto a plane like it’s your emotional support snack. But try to bring a tub of queso? That’s getting tossed. TSA has even joked about it, telling travelers that if they bring chips and dip aboard, the dip better be 3.4 ounces or less — or the chips are flying solo.
Snow Globes Are a Bigger Problem Than You Think
Pick up a snow globe souvenir on vacation? You might want to think twice before tossing it in your carry-on. Snow globes are filled with liquid, which means they fall under the 3-1-1 rule. And most of them are way too big to qualify.
According to Snow Globe Central, a Denver-based company, the most common size sold in the U.S. has a 4-inch diameter glass globe and holds about 16 ounces of liquid. That’s almost five times the limit. Even a 2.5-inch globe holds about 4.75 ounces — still over the line. You’d need a tiny 1.75-inch globe (under 2 ounces) to squeeze through. Your best bet is buying one from the airport gift shop after security or packing it in checked luggage.
Magic 8-Balls Are Banned From Carry-Ons
Will your Magic 8-Ball make it through TSA? All signs point to no. The classic toy is filled with liquid — that’s how the little floating die moves around to give you its cryptic answers. Since the liquid inside exceeds 3.4 ounces, it has to go in your checked bag.
Same goes for gel candles. If you grabbed a fancy scented candle on your trip that’s gel-based rather than solid wax, it’s carry-on contraband. Regular wax candles are fine in carry-on bags, but the gel versions need to be checked.
Your Ice Pack Is Fine Until It Starts Melting
Here’s a rule that depends entirely on timing. If your ice packs or freezer packs are completely solid and frozen when you hit the security checkpoint, they’re allowed in your carry-on. But the second they start melting — even if they’re just a little slushy — TSA treats them as liquids.
This matters a lot if you’re packing medication that needs to stay cold, or if you’re trying to transport breast milk or frozen food. The trick is keeping everything rock solid until you clear security. After that, nobody cares if your ice pack turns into a water balloon at 30,000 feet.
Party Poppers Are Completely Banned — Even in Checked Bags
Most restricted items fall into the “pack it in checked luggage” category. Party poppers don’t even get that option. Those little New Year’s Eve noisemakers contain about 0.25 grains of explosive material, which is a tiny amount, but enough to earn a total ban from aircraft entirely. Not in your carry-on, not in your checked bag, not anywhere on the plane.
If you’re flying to a destination for a celebration, buy the party supplies when you get there. The confetti cannon is not worth the hassle.
Butane Curling Irons Just Got Banned From Checked Bags
This one is brand new. As of August 25, 2025, TSA banned cordless curling irons and flat irons that use butane gas cartridges from checked luggage. Spare gas cartridges for these tools are completely banned everywhere on the plane.
You can still bring one butane-powered styling tool in your carry-on, but it has to be in a safety case that prevents it from accidentally turning on. The reasoning comes from the Code of Federal Regulations — these tools contain flammable hydrocarbon gases that pose a fire risk in cargo holds where nobody’s around to notice. In the cabin, at least a flight attendant can grab a fire extinguisher.
Portable Phone Chargers Can’t Go in Checked Luggage Anymore
Since March 1, 2025, lithium-powered portable phone chargers — the kind almost everyone owns — are banned from checked bags. You can still bring them in your carry-on, but they can’t ride in the cargo hold anymore.
This is another fire risk issue. Lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire, and when that happens in an unmonitored cargo hold, it’s a serious problem. Keep your power bank in your personal bag and you’re good. Toss it in your checked suitcase and you’re getting pulled aside.
Large Powder Containers Will Get Your Bag Searched
Protein powder enthusiasts, heads up. In 2025, TSA has been flagging large powder containers at record rates. Any powder container over 12 ounces can trigger additional screening, and agents are now treating them as potential hazards. Baby formula tins and collagen powder tubs are among the most commonly flagged items.
Powders aren’t banned outright, but if your container is over 12 ounces, expect a full bag search. The concern is that powders can disguise explosives or narcotics — and smugglers have actually been caught doing exactly that at major airports like JFK and LAX. Your best move is keeping powder containers under 12 ounces or putting the big tubs in checked luggage.
People Still Try to Sneak the Wildest Things Through
Even with all these rules clearly posted and constantly shared on social media, people continue to test the limits. In 2025 alone, TSA officers at Newark found a live turtle hidden inside a man’s pants. The turtle survived. The man did not make his flight.
Other confiscated items this year included a handgun hidden in a guitar case (agents called it an “instrument of destruction”), ninja throwing stars found at Newark in December, a stun gun disguised as a flashlight, a knife concealed inside a belt buckle, and meth hidden inside wax candles at San Francisco International Airport. An airport employee at Newark was even caught carrying a comb with a concealed blade — proving that screening applies to everyone, no exceptions.
One of the stranger incidents involved a children’s Montessori switchboard toy that looked like an improvised explosive device on the scanner — wires, buttons, the whole deal. Law enforcement responded anyway because, fair enough, context doesn’t show up on an X-ray.
What Happens to All That Confiscated Stuff
Ever wonder where your confiscated peanut butter jar ends up? Confiscated items immediately become government property. TSA officers aren’t allowed to keep anything for personal use. Non-dangerous items often get sold at government auctions or donated, with proceeds going back to the government or used for airport operations. Anything actually illegal or dangerous gets destroyed.
The rules change more often than most people realize. TSA’s liquid restrictions have been in place since 2006, but new bans — like the butane styling tool rule and the power bank restriction — pop up regularly. The best thing you can do before flying is check TSA’s website or app for the latest updates. Or just assume everything you love is either a liquid or a weapon, and pack accordingly.
