There are specific rules for what you may bring in your hand baggage on flights within the EU. You are allowed to bring liquids and food items, but they must be packed according to certain regulations.

Liquids and food items must be packed in containers with a maximum volume of 100 ml.

You may bring more than one container, but all containers must fit in a single resealable and transparent 1-litre plastic bag.

The plastic bag must be fully sealed and is usually placed in a separate tray at the security checkpoint.

If your liquids and food items exceed 100 ml, they will be rejected at the security checkpoint.

You are allowed to bring more than 100 ml of baby food and the necessary water in your hand baggage, but only in quantities required for the flight.

You are also allowed to bring more than 100 ml of liquid medication in your hand baggage, but again only in amounts needed for the duration of the flight.

You must be able to prove the authenticity of the medication and your need to carry it. It is recommended that you bring written documentation from your doctor and/or pharmacy, which can be shown at the security checkpoint.

You are allowed to bring small electronic devices in your hand baggage.

Small electronic devices include, among others:

• Laptop
• Mobile phone
• Tablet
• Hairdryer
• Hair straightener
• Charger (e.g. for mobile phones)
• Music player
• E-cigarettes (not allowed in checked baggage)
• Power banks (not allowed in checked baggage)

At the security checkpoint, you will typically need to place these items in a separate tray.

Electronic devices must be switched off or set to flight mode during take-off and landing.

Electronic devices that contain radio transmitters and receivers must be switched off for the entire flight, unless otherwise instructed.

You may bring loose lithium batteries in your hand baggage if they are under 100 Wh per battery.

If you wish to bring loose batteries that exceed 100 Wh, you must obtain approval from the airline. In that case, you may bring a maximum of 2 batteries, and they must not exceed 160 Wh each. Additionally, the equipment intended for use with the batteries must be carried together with them.

If you wish to bring lithium-ion batteries over 160 Wh, they must be transported as fully regulated dangerous goods. You can read more about this on the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority’s website.

Batteries that are part of an electronic device (e.g. mobile phones, laptops, etc.) may only be brought in hand baggage. Most electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, and laptops contain batteries smaller than 100 Wh and can be freely carried in hand baggage.

If you are unsure about the battery size, you can check the manufacturer’s website. Since some airlines have their own specific rules in this area, it is always a good idea to contact the airline before departure.

Loose batteries are not permitted in checked baggage.

Relevant links

Read more about the rules for dangerous goods and find the full regulatory framework at trafikstyrelsen.dk

Read IATA’s guidance on battery regulations (opens in new window)

You are not allowed to bring stun devices in your hand baggage. Stun devices include, among others:

• Stun guns, tasers, and electric shock batons
• Devices used to stun or kill animals
• Disabling and incapacitating chemicals, gases, and sprays – such as mace, pepper spray, capsicum spray, tear gas, acid spray, and animal repellent spray

You are not allowed to bring firearms or other projectile-firing devices in your hand baggage.

Firearms include, among others:

• All types of firearms, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns
• Toy guns, replicas, and imitations of firearms
• Firearm components, except for telescopic sights
• Air guns and CO2-powered guns, such as air pistols, pellet guns, air rifles, and BB guns
• Flare guns and starter pistols
• Bows, crossbows, and arrows
• Harpoon and spear guns
• Slings and slingshots

Firearms in your checked baggage

If you have a valid firearms license, you may be permitted to bring firearms in your checked baggage.

The airline must approve the transport of your firearm, so you must contact the airline before departure – preferably well in advance.

On the day of departure, you must arrive at the airport early so the airline can verify your firearms permit and register the weapon. As part of the verification process, the airline staff will also check that your firearm and ammunition are packed in accordance with the regulations:

• Firearms and ammunition must be checked in as baggage
• The firearm must not be loaded
• If possible, the firearm should be disassembled and packed in separate pieces of baggage
• Ammunition must be packed in its original packaging and placed in a separate suitcase, away from the firearm
• The net weight of the ammunition must not exceed 5 kg

You are not allowed to bring tools and blunt objects in your hand baggage.

Tools include, among others:

• Crowbars
• Drills and drill bits, including battery-powered drills
• Tools with a blade longer than 6 cm, such as screwdrivers or chisels
• Saws, including battery-powered saws
• Blowtorches
• Bolt and nail guns

Blunt objects include, among others:

• Baseball and softball bats
• Clubs and batons, such as blackjacks, billy clubs, and police batons
• Martial arts equipment

Note: You are allowed to bring tools and blunt objects in your checked baggage.

You are not allowed to bring sharp and pointed objects in your hand baggage. These include, among others:

• Items designed for chopping, such as large and small axes and meat cleavers
• Ice axes and ice picks
• Razor blades
• Utility knives
• Knives with a blade length of more than 6 cm
• Scissors with a blade length of more than 6 cm (measured from the pivot point)
• Martial arts equipment with sharp or pointed edges
• Swords and sabres

Note: You are allowed to bring sharp and pointed objects in your checked baggage.

Special information about knitting needles and crochet hooks

As a general rule, knitting needles and crochet hooks are allowed in both hand baggage and checked baggage.

However, if airport security staff assess that knitting needles or crochet hooks pose a security risk, they may be rejected as hand baggage.

In some foreign airports, knitting needles and crochet hooks may not be allowed in hand baggage at all. Therefore, we recommend checking the regulations of the airports you are departing from in advance.

Explosive and flammable substances are not permitted in either hand baggage or checked baggage. These substances include, among others:

• Ammunition (read more about ammunition rules under Firearms)
• Fuses
• Detonators and cords/safety fuses/ignition tubes
• Mines, grenades, and other military explosive devices
• Fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles
• Smoke bombs and smoke cartridges
• Dynamite, gunpowder, and plastic explosives
• Strike-anywhere matches, cigar lighters, and so-called storm lighters (blue flame) (read more about lighters below)
• Imitations or replicas of explosive items are also prohibited.

Note: Violating these rules may result in fines and prosecution under section 114 of the Danish Penal Code, also known as the anti-terrorism law.

Lighters

Lighters are not permitted in hand baggage or checked baggage.

You may bring one “standard” lighter per person, but you must carry it on your person, such as in a jacket pocket. If you wish to bring a refillable lighter, all liquid fuel must be fully absorbed in the lighter.

At the security checkpoint, you must place the lighter in a separate tray so that staff can verify it complies with the rules.

Delayed or lost baggage

If your baggage does not appear upon arrival, you may be entitled to reimbursement of your expenses or compensation if you do not receive your baggage within 21 days.

If your baggage is delayed upon arrival or never arrives, you may be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses related to replacement purchases, such as underwear, medication, and a toothbrush. You are not entitled to compensation for inconvenience or pain and suffering. If your baggage has not arrived after 21 days, it is considered lost, and you may then claim compensation.

It is important that you contact the airline or the company handling baggage on behalf of the airline and request a PIR report (Property Irregularity Report). This report serves as documentation that your baggage is delayed and must be used when filing a claim with the airline. The PIR report must be completed at the airport as soon as you discover the delay. Remember to keep all receipts as proof of your replacement purchases.

You must submit your claim to the airline no later than 21 days after discovering that your baggage is delayed. Otherwise, you may lose the right to have your expenses reimbursed or to receive compensation.

Damage to your baggage

If your baggage has been damaged and the damage can be assessed financially, you are entitled to compensation from the airline. This means you cannot receive compensation for non-material damage, such as inconvenience or pain and suffering.

It is important that you contact the airline or the company handling baggage on behalf of the airline and request a PIR report (Property Irregularity Report). This serves as documentation that your baggage has been damaged and must be used when filing a claim with the airline. The PIR report must be completed at the airport upon arrival. If you only discover the damage after returning home, you must go back to the airport and have the report completed within seven days.

You must also submit your claim to the airline within seven days of receiving your damaged baggage. Otherwise, you may lose the right to compensation.