Can I take glue and adhesives 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

• On an international flight every container of liquid must be 100ml or less, inside one transparent re-sealable bag of 1 litre or less.
• Domestic flights inside Japan have no liquid limit at all.
• Medicine, baby milk and special dietary food are exempt — carry them separately and tell the officer.
• Take the bag out of your luggage and put it in its own tray.

Why the rule is what it is

It burns fuel or contains a solvent. Both are treated as flammable goods however small the quantity.

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.

You can buy this in Japan

Where to buy it

Hundred-yen shops and home centres

Since this cannot travel with you, buying it after you land is the way round it. Drugstores and convenience stores are open late and are in every neighbourhood.

The everyday things that get stopped

Most of this category is fine. The exceptions follow a pattern: fuel, solvent, or a sharp point.

• Anything that burns fuel is refused — fuel hand warmers, camping stoves, lighter refills.
• Solvent-based glue, paint and thinner are flammable and refused in both bags.
• Long items with a point can be refused at the checkpoint even when the rules do not name them.
• Japan sells most of this cheaply once you arrive. Convenience stores have umbrellas, drugstores have hand warmers.

Related items

• Umbrellas
• Backpacks and rucksacks
• Earplugs and eye masks
• Zip-lock bags for liquids
• Disposable hand warmers
• Refillable hand warmers (fuel type)