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Poppers as in amyl/isobutyl nitrate. Officially used as video head cleaner and nail polish remover and room deodorizers. Unofficial use as a sex aid. Can I bring them with me while traveling? Will TSA confiscate them? The bottle is absolutely tiny. Just 10 mL worth.

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    Checked-in or hand luggage?
    – user40521
    Jun 12, 2018 at 8:02
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    Given poppers is quite volatile, I wonder if it's flammable? If so, it would be prohibited for this reason. If not, it probably enters the liquids, gels and aerosols regime, i.e. it should be in ≤ 100 ml containers, and all such containers should fit in a 1 l bag if in carry-on, no limit in checked baggage. Also, I'm not sure the legal status of poppers in the US. If it's illegal, it can probably be seized for that reason (though I have no idea if TSA can/will do that). You can ask TSA via the links provided on this page.
    – jcaron
    Jun 12, 2018 at 9:14
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    Yes please consider if popper is legal in the country you land, before any other thought.
    – MattAllegro
    Jun 12, 2018 at 11:52
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    @jcaron flammable liquids are excepted from prohibition if they are ["medicinal [or] toilet articles."](law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/175.10#a) Apparently, though, the substances in question here cannot be sold legally for human consumption without a prescription, so they would not be allowed. If it's labeled as nail polish remover, it might pass muster.
    – phoog
    Jun 12, 2018 at 14:34

2 Answers 2

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Legally, no.

Under FAA regulations, liquids with a 'flash point' below 60 degrees C/140 degrees F are considered "flammable" and may not generally be carried on a standard passenger aircraft.

Isobutyl nitrite has a flash point of around -23 degrees C/-10 degrees F, which places it not just in the "flammable" range, but well into the "highly flammable" range.

Thus transporting "Poppers" on a plane, in either carry-on or checked luggage, is illegal.

In many parts of the world Isopropyl nitrite is used for "Poppers" instead of Isobutyl nitrite (due to the latter being determined to be a carcinogen). Isopropyl nitrite has a higher flash point, however it is still classified as a flammable liquid, and whilst it is legal to transport it on a commercial aircraft (up to 1 liter per aircraft), it requires proper documentation and approval, so would still generally not be allowed in the form you are considering.

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Specific to your reference and tag to the TSA, thus travel within the United States, here's the Transportation Security Administration view:

Party Poppers
Carry On Bags: No
Checked Bags: No
For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page.

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

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    Maybe something got lost in translation but unless the TSA have a wierd sense of humour, they aren't the same thing at all.
    – richardb
    Jun 23, 2018 at 14:35
  • If you're referring to the 'final decision' (and the TSA is not known for its humour), it's the standard disclaimer on all posted info: basically, don't argue with the TSA inspector you encounter.
    – Giorgio
    Jun 23, 2018 at 15:16
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    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_popper / en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppers (drugs references, possibly NSFW).
    – richardb
    Jun 23, 2018 at 16:07
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    @Giorgio, party poppers are completely unrelated to the poppers in the question.
    – jcaron
    Jun 23, 2018 at 16:36
  • OP isn't asking about party poppers, totally different.
    – Bhushan Kale
    Aug 7, 2021 at 18:03

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