Some small sporting equipment is permitted in carry-on. However, most sporting and camping equipment should be packed in your checked baggage.
Below are some examples of the type of items that may be packed in carry-on and those that should be checked. If you don’t see the item you’re looking for, visit our What Can I Bring? Complete Item List.
Examples
|
Activity |
Carry-On or Checked |
Checked Only |
|---|---|---|
|
Golf |
Golf balls |
Golf clubs are permitted in checked baggage, but should be thoroughly cleaned as chemical residues could trigger screening alarms and cause delays |
|
Cycling |
Small items like helmets and gloves |
Bicycles can be checked. Check with your airline. |
|
Racquet Sports |
Balls and racquets |
|
|
Fishing |
Fishing rods/poles - can include rods with hooks measuring 6 cm (2.4 in) or less. Fishing hooks measuring 6 cm (2.4 in) or less
|
Fishing rods/poles - can include rods with hooks measuring more than 6 cm (2.4 in). Fishing hooks measuring more than 6 cm (2.4 in) |
|
Skiing / Snowboarding |
Small items like goggles, gloves and helmets |
Skis, ski poles and snowboards |
|
Baseball / Cricket |
Balls and gloves |
Baseball bats |
|
Hockey / Lacrosse |
Ice skates, small items like pucks, balls, gloves and helmets |
Hockey and lacrosse sticks |
|
Camping |
Tents (packed without poles or stakes) Collapsible, foldable and retractable hiking/walking sticks with pointed or sharp ends length less than 6 cm. Paddle/oars are permitted if collapsible, foldable or retractable (for kayak or canoe). Otherwise, check with your airline. |
Tent stakes Tent poles: As tent poles can vary in material and design (i.e. bendable fibreglass poles vs. rigid metal poles ), check with your air carrier to determine if they can be placed in your carry-on. Camping axes Hiking poles Containers for flammable liquids (stove canisters, lanterns): Your air carrier may agree to transport either empty equipment that has never contained a flammable liquid or equipment that has previously contained a flammable liquid if specified and adequate measures have been taken to nullify any hazard. Contact your air carrier. |
|
Hunting |
Hunting knives with a blade 6 cm or less are permitted when flying within Canada or to an international (non-U.S.) destination. Knives of any type or length are not permitted in your carry-on on flights to the U.S. |
Rifles and ammunition Sling-shots Hunting knives with a blade longer than 6cm. Knives of any type or length are not permitted in your carry-on on flights to the U.S. |
|
Rock Climbing |
Carabiners |
Pitons (any size) |
|
Skateboarding |
Skateboards are permitted as carry-on baggage in Canada but there may be regulations against skateboards in carry-on baggage in other countries, so we recommend you store skateboards in your checked baggage. |
|
Lighters, matches and fuel
While one lighter for personal use is allowed as carry-on, lighters are not permitted in checked baggage due to the risk of accidental fires.
Strike-anywhere matches are NOT permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Flammable materials – for example, white gas or butane for camping stoves – are NOT permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.
Contact your airline for more information on size, weight and quantity limits for carry-on and checked baggage.