Can I travel with BDSM items?

Question

I've seen very little about this topic online and so have no idea if it's allowed for carry on hand-baggage.

BDSM Items:

Any comments or thoughts on whether Heathrow Airport security will allow these items in carry on hand-baggage?

Anything which can be used to restrain someone is most probably a no-no. — JoErNanO, Nov 1, 2018 at 20:54
All those items except handcuffs should be fine in carry-on. If handcuffs are velcro-based (not metal-based), they should be fine too. — George Y., Nov 1, 2018 at 21:03
Depending on where you're going you might have trouble at your destination. The more conservative Moslem countries might frown upon them, for example. — user79658, Nov 1, 2018 at 21:50
What are the chances of being stopped by airport security? Likely they'll want to open my bag to have a look at it? How embarrassing that'll be... — Andy, Nov 2, 2018 at 0:10
Well to update everyone, I just got through security without any issues. My bag passed straight through! Hurrah!! Thanks for all the help :) — Andy, Nov 2, 2018 at 5:19

Greg Hewgill · Accepted Answer · 2018-11-01 21:03:35Z

2

There is an extensive list of what can and cannot be carried in carry-on luggage at Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports.

I don't see anything in that list restricting things like handcuffs.

answered Nov 1, 2018 at 21:03

Greg Hewgill

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3

However there is the caveat "Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous - even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.". This is a catch-all that allows staff to refuse items that were not specifically banned, as it's difficult to come up with a comprehensive list of everything that anyone might want to take on board a plane. Handcuffs if made of metal may well be such item that security staff uses thier judgement about. In this case I would think they might regard them as similar to knuckledusters which are banned as they could be used the same way.
– Sarriesfan
Nov 1, 2018 at 22:37
1

I got through without any issues! Bag didn't even get searched
– Andy
Nov 2, 2018 at 6:34
Anecdote: 30+ years ago, this hand luggage restriction list was not readily available to me and I had the glorious idea to bring my newly purchased nunchuks on a Pan Am flight from LHR to SFO, shortly before they sold their routes to United. Police with machine guns escorted me to what resulted in a two hours interrogation. Since there was no clear policy on sports equipment back then and because I didn't show up on any international criminal database, I was allowed to export the nunchucks. However, they had to be handed over to the pilots and I got them back again when I left the plane.
– ikaerom
Aug 25, 2020 at 19:13

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