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Red Swiss Army knife opened to show its blades, scissors, saw, pliers and corkscrew

Photo: Swiss Army Knife Wenger Opened 20050627.jpg by Wikimedia Commons (Public domain, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

Can you bring a multi-tool on a plane?

Carry-on in JapanNo
Checked bag in JapanYes

In Japan multi-tools are banned from carry-on but allowed in checked bags.

Carry-on: No. Japan's list names the tool knife, a multi-function folding knife, as an item that cannot be carried on: even when none of its parts is a restricted item, its shape looks threatening at a glance. Checked baggage: Yes.

Multi-tools on flights in and from Japan

The rule for multi-tools comes from the Civil Aviation Bureau's list of restricted items and is the same on domestic and international flights.

Multi-tools and Swiss Army knives: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
WhereAllowed?What applies
In the cabinNoNo. Japan's list names the tool knife, a multi-function folding knife, as an item that cannot be carried on: even when none of its parts is a restricted item, its shape looks threatening at a glance.
In checked baggageYesYes.

Objects shaped like a tool knife or a throwing star, such as USB drives and lighters, are refused in the cabin for the same reason. A lighter of that shape cannot be checked either.

Multi-tools: which ones each country lets into the cabin

Japan refuses the shape, not only the blade
Japan's list has a row for the tool knife, described as a multi-function folding knife. It is marked as not allowed in the cabin and allowed in checked baggage. The note says it cannot be carried on even when none of its components is a restricted item, because the shape looks threatening at a glance.
Look-alike gadgets are refused too
A later row of the Japanese list covers objects made in the shape of a tool knife or a throwing star, and gives USB drives and lighters as examples. They are kept out of the cabin for the same reason, and a lighter of that shape cannot be checked in either.
The TSA sorts multi-tools by what is on them
Multi-tools with knives of any length are prohibited in carry-on bags. Multi-tools with scissors less than 4 inches may be placed in carry-on bags. A separate TSA entry, Multi-tool without Blades, is allowed in both bags, and Swiss Army Knife is listed as not allowed in carry-on.
Taiwan and Australia name the Swiss Army knife
Taiwan's list of items barred from the cabin names the Swiss Army knife among knives and other tools that can cut, to be placed in checked baggage. CASA lists Swiss army knife, leatherman and camping knife together as a security item that cannot be carried on and can be checked in.
Carry-onChecked bag
Knives and kitchen knivesCarry-on: noChecked bag: yesScissorsCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yesToolsCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yes

Multi-tools: the rule country by country

Multi-tools are allowed in carry-on under conditions in the United States.

Multi-tools and Swiss Army knives: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying fromCarry-onChecked bagWhat the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation BureauNoYesJapan's list names the tool knife, a multi-function folding knife, as an item that cannot be carried on: even when none of its parts is a restricted item, its shape looks threatening at a glance. Source
United StatesTSAWith limitsYesMulti-tools with knives of any length are prohibited in carry-on bags; pack them in checked bags. Multi-tools with scissors less than 4 inches may go in carry-on, and a multi-tool without blades is allowed.TSA entry: Multi-tools, Multi-tool without Blades, Swiss Army Knife Source
TaiwanCivil Aviation AdministrationNoYesSwiss Army knives are named among the knives and cutting tools that cannot be carried on. They must be placed in checked baggage. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASANoYesSwiss army knives, Leatherman tools and camping knives are security items: they cannot be carried on and can be checked in.CASA Pack Right entry: Swiss army knife, leatherman, camping knife etc Source

Each row comes from that authority's own page. Airlines can be stricter, and the screening officer has the final say.

If security in Japan will not let multi-tools through

What to do
Move multi-tools to the bag you check in before you reach security. Narita Airport states that anything given up at the checkpoint is discarded and cannot be returned.
If it gets on board
Taking an item that is restricted from the cabin onto an aircraft is punishable under Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act: up to 2 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 1,000,000 yen.

Frequently asked questions

Can you bring a multi-tool on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: No. Japan's list names the tool knife, a multi-function folding knife, as an item that cannot be carried on: even when none of its parts is a restricted item, its shape looks threatening at a glance. In checked baggage: Yes.

Can you take a Swiss Army knife in carry-on?

No in Japan, the United States, Taiwan and Australia. Japan's list refuses multi-function folding knives in the cabin, the TSA lists Swiss Army Knife as not allowed in carry-on, Taiwan names it among cutting tools that must be checked, and CASA lists it as a security item that cannot be carried on.

Is a multi-tool without a knife allowed on a plane?

The TSA has an entry for exactly that: Multi-tool without Blades is allowed in carry-on and checked bags, and multi-tools with scissors less than 4 inches may also go in carry-on. Japan's list makes no such exception. It refuses a tool knife for its shape even if none of its parts is a restricted item.

Does the TSA allow a multi-tool in carry-on bags?

Multi-tools with knives of any length are prohibited in carry-on bags; pack them in checked bags. Multi-tools with scissors less than 4 inches may go in carry-on, and a multi-tool without blades is allowed.

What is the rule for multi-tools on flights from Taiwan and Australia?

Taiwan: Swiss Army knives are named among the knives and cutting tools that cannot be carried on. They must be placed in checked baggage. Australia: Swiss army knives, Leatherman tools and camping knives are security items: they cannot be carried on and can be checked in.

Related items

Blades & toolsCarry-onChecked bag
Knives (kitchen and pocket)Carry-on: noChecked bag: yesScissorsCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yesTools (screwdrivers, spanners)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yesCan openers, bottle openers, corkscrewsCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yesBox cutters and utility knivesCarry-on: noChecked bag: yesNail clippersCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yes
Show all 15Razors (safety and disposable)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yesElectric shaversCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesTweezersCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yesHammers and carpentry toolsCarry-on: noChecked bag: yesKnitting needles and sewing needlesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesDrawing compassesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesPeelers and slicersCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yesIce picks and sharp pointed objectsCarry-on: noChecked bag: yesHair clippers and trimmersCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditions

Back to What you can bring

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Sources for this page

  1. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (MLIT) — Items restricted in carry-on and checked baggage (updated 24 April 2026)
  2. TSA — What Can I Bring?: Multi-tools
  3. Taiwan CAA — Items that may not be carried into the cabin (公告 113.06.18)
  4. CASA — Pack Right: Swiss army knife, leatherman, camping knife etc