If you need to go straight to a crucial meeting on arrival at your destination, particularly on a long overnight flight then having a shave can certainly be important.
A frequently asked question asked of the TSA is can I carry-on a Gillette razor?
The Quick Answer: TSA rules permit passengers to bring a Gillette razor on a plane in carry on baggage provided it is either a Gillette disposable razor or a Gillette razor with the blades in a cartridge. If it is a Gillette safety razor with separate blades then these are only permitted in checked luggage.
You will find the complete rules about taking Gillette razors on a plane below.
Contents
Taking Gillette razors through airport security
What Gillette razors can you take?
According to the TSA, there are three types of Gillette razor you can take on board an aircraft with you.
- Disposable razors (such as Gillette Blue3, Sensor2 Plus and Gillette 2 disposable razors.). A disposable razor is a type that comes as a complete unit, including the blade and the handle, and the whole thing is thrown away when finished with.
- Cartridge razors (such as Gillette Fusion5, Planet Kind, Mach3, Sensor Excel and Proglide shield). These are the type where you just change the cartridge containing the blade/s but keep the handle part to use again.
- Gillette electric razor (such as the King C. Gillette Beard Trimmer)
Whether you can take particular types of razors on board an aircraft is a matter for the individual agents at the airport security checkpoint who adhere to the sharp objects rules and whose decision is final.
What Gillette razors can’t you take?
You cannot take a King C. Gillette Double Edge Safety Razor in a carry on bag through airport security as it holds a separate removable razor blade. In other words, the older style razor with replaceable blades, such as the one above, are known as safety razors.
However, you can carry either of these types of razor in your checked hold baggage, not that it is very useful to you if you want to shave on the aircraft but you can use it when you reach your destination.
AskTSA advice on carrying Gillette razors
You can ask the Transportation Security Administration about any items you are unsure of that you may wish to take in your carry on or checked bags on Twitter using the #AskTSA hashtag, including can I take my Gillette razor in my carry on?
This is a reply regarding a passenger’s question about taking a Gillette Mach 3 razor and shaving gel:
Other things the TSA website has to say about carrying razors on a plane:
Razors. There’s a lot of confusion out there as to what types of razors are OK to pack in your carry-on baggage. So people ask us about this one all the time.
Safety Razors: Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, you cannot bring safety razors in your carry-on luggage with the razor blade. They’re fine to pack in your carry-on without the blade. The blades must be stored in your checked luggage. The same applies for straight razors.
Disposable Razors: Disposable razors come in two types. The kind that is completely disposable (handle and all), or the kind where you replace them with cartridges. These are permissible in carry-on luggage with the blade and replacement cartridges.
Electric Razors: Electric razors are permitted in both checked and carry-on bags.
The Top Five Items People Ask About: Razors, Batteries, Makeup, Shampoo & Deodorant
Can you take Gillette razors in checked baggage?
You can pack any kind of Gillette razor, or any other brand of razor, in your checked bags, including safety razors and even cut throat razors since you do not have access to them during a flight.
You should ensure that they are packed safely so that should the TSA officers need to search your bag that they will not get insured and also ensure that the razors’ blades cannot protrude through the bag and injure baggage handlers.
Can you shave on a plane?
Being able to bring your Gillette razors in carry on, along with shaving cream, is one thing but are you allowed to actually shave during the flight.
Fortunately, most airlines are unlikely to object to you having a shave during the flight. Of course, most airlines have tiny restrooms with even smaller sinks so having a shave in such a confined space will not be that easy.
Please be considerate to the other passengers who might use the restroom after you by ensuring that you clean up after yourself. No one wants to go in the restroom after you to see shaving cream and your whiskers everywhere.
Can you take spare Gillette razor cartridges on a plane?
You can pack as many spare cartridges for your razor as you need and carry them in your carry on and checked baggage.
If you are taking the cartridges in a cabin bag you will have no problems getting them through the airport security checkpoint.
Can you bring spare Gillette safety razor blades on a plane?
If you intend to take a spare blade pack for your Gillette safety razor with you they will have to be packed in your checked bags, along with any safety razors (containing a blade) themselves.
Gillette safety razor blades are not permitted to be taken on board the aircraft with you in your carry on bag and will be confiscated at airport security if you attempt to take them.
Can you bring shaving cream on a plane?
Being able to carry your Gillette razor onboard isn’t much use to you if you can’t also take shaving cream or shaving gel on board in your carry on bag too.
Shaving cream, shaving gel and shaving foam are all treated as being liquids under the TSA rules. This means that you can bring them in your carry on but the size of the container cannot be greater than 3.4 ounces (or 100ml).
It must also fit into one quart sized clear plastic, zip-top liquids bag, along with any other 3.4 ounce liquids you may be carrying, to pass through airport security.
You can buy the small cans of shaving foam or shaving gel in most drug stores and supermarkets, or failing that, at airports.
You can, of course, take full-sized items with you but these must be in your checked baggage, otherwise they will be confiscated by security if you try to take them with you on board.
Don’t worry about your shaving cream as aerosol cans will not explode in checked bags
This video talks about can you take Gillette Fusion on a plane:
Summary
TSA rules permit passengers to bring a Gillette razor on an airplane in carry on provided it is either a Gillette disposable razor or a Gillette razor with the blades in a cartridge. If it is a Gillette safety razor with separate blades then these are only permitted in checked luggage.
More airport security posts:
You may be interested in my other airport security articles:
Can you bring an electric razor on a plane?
Can you bring deodorant on a plane?
What items are not allowed in hand luggage?
I have been traveling around the world by air since the early 70s and living overseas too. I worked for British Airways for a number of years and I am also a private pilot. About Me
