Good news! You can travel on domestic U.S. flights with most candles. You are allowed to pack solid wax candles in your carry-on luggage or your checked luggage (per tsa.gov). Solid wax candles are your typical soy, paraffin, or beeswax candles so this TSA rule allows you to bring most candles on a flight with you.
You are not allowed to carry on gel or liquid candles because they are treated the same way as all other liquids, but you can pack these away into your checked baggage if you still want to travel with them.
How to Pack Candles for a Flight
If you want to arrive with your candle intact, here are some tips for packing a candle in your luggage…
3 Ways to Pack Your Candle to Prevent Breakage
- Wrap it in bubble wrap.
- Leave it in the box that it came with if the box is sturdy.
- Place it in a travel case with hard sides.
Use Plastic Bags
However you choose to pack the candle, I recommend placing it inside of a sealable plastic bag just in case it does break. You don’t want to have to pick pieces of broken glass out of your clothes. If you’re traveling to a warm location, this also prevents any melted wax from leaking out and ruining your clothes.
Surround the Candle with Soft Items
Use your clothes for additional cushioning! When I travel with candles, I make sure the candle is in the center of the suitcase with clothes on all 4 sides. This helps to minimize movement. If there are other hard items in your suitcase, space them apart from the candle so that they don’t knock together in transit. If you are traveling with multiple candles, pack each one individually and space them apart.
Are Matches Allowed on Planes?
Safety Matches
Carry-Ons ✅ The TSA will allow you to bring one book of safety matches on a plane in your carry-on. These are matches that only ignite when you strike them on the match book.
Checked ❌ You are not allowed to bring any type of matches in your checked bags. This is due to the fire risk.
Strike Anywhere Matches
Carry-Ons ❌ You are not allowed to bring strike-anywhere matches on a plane.
Checked ❌ You are not allowed to bring any type of matches in your checked bags. This is due to the fire risk.
Are Lighters Allowed on Planes?
Disposable Lighters
Carry-Ons ✅ You are allowed to travel with ONE Disposable or Zippo lighter in your carry on bags. There is a limit of one per passenger.
Checked ⚠️ You are only allowed to travel with Disposable and Zippo lighters in your checked bags if they do not have fuel. Per TSA regulations, lighters with fuel are only allowed in checked bags “if they adhere to the Department of Transportation exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case.”
Torch Lighters
Carry-Ons ❌ Nope, torch lighters are not allowed in your carry-ons.
Checked ❌ Nope, torch lighters are not allowed in your checked bags.
Final Thoughts on Traveling with Candles
TSA officers are allowed to use their discretion when deciding what to allow through. There may be some rare instances when they do not follow these rules about matches and lighters (even though they are all posted on the TSA.gov website). My recommendation would be to bring your candle with you, but leave your lighter behind if you are super attached to it. You can always purchase matches or lighters when you arrive at your destination!
I hope this was helpful. Safe travels!
