Can I take fire extinguishers on a plane in Japan?

What the rule says

Japan follows the international rules on dangerous goods, set out by the Civil Aviation Bureau.

Before you get to the checkpoint

• Airlines can be stricter than the national rule. If it matters to your trip, check your airline's own page.
• If an item is refused at the checkpoint you cannot go back and check it in — you lose it.
• Japanese security staff will ask before opening your bag, and most speak enough English for this.

Why the rule is what it is

Pressurised or flammable contents behave differently at altitude, and a leak in an enclosed cabin is hard to contain.

If it is refused

You cannot go back and check it in once you are at the screening point. It is taken from you and disposed of, and there is no compensation. Some Japanese airports have a post counter before security where you can mail it to yourself.

Who decides

The officer at the checkpoint, applying the national rules and your airline's own conditions. Where the airline is stricter, the airline wins.

What makes an aerosol acceptable

The gas inside and the cap on the nozzle decide it.

• Cosmetic, medicinal and household aerosols: 0.5 litres or 0.5kg per can, 2 litres or 2kg per person, shared with cosmetics and medicines.
• The nozzle must be capped or protected so it cannot be pressed by accident.
• Flammable and toxic gas is refused outright — camping gas, fumigators, pepper spray.
• Bleach, mould remover and anything labelled chlorine-based cannot travel in either bag.

Related items

• Aerosol cans (general)
• Pepper spray and bear spray
• Deodorising and sanitising sprays
• Insecticides and fumigation products
• Gas canisters and camping gas
• Oxygen cylinders