Can you take nail clippers on a plane?

Nail clippers on flights in and from Japan

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

Nail clippers, cuticle blades and nail files

Japan's list marks plain nail clippers as allowed in both bags. What changes the answer is a blade attached to the clipper, or the file packed beside it.

Allowed first, with one type taken out

Nail clippers sit in the last group of Japan's list, a mixed set where almost every row starts from × (not allowed in the cabin) and many then describe an exception, as the tweezers row does. The nail clipper row runs the other way: ○ (allowed) for carry-on, ○ for checked baggage, and a note that takes one type back out.

The cuticle knife

The type taken back out is a clipper fitted with a small knife for cutting cuticles. The wording is about what is attached, so it is the added blade and not the clipping jaws that sends the tool to checked baggage. The TSA, GOV.UK and CASA entries for nail clippers carry no note about attachments.

Nail files get a separate answer

The TSA has its own entry for a metal nail file, allowed in carry-on and checked bags. GOV.UK puts the file in the same row as the clippers. CASA separates them: nail clippers can be carried on, while pointed metal nail files are grouped with tweezers as a security item that can be checked in and can't be carried on.

Nail scissors follow the scissors rule

Scissors from a manicure set are read as scissors, not as clippers. Japan's scissors row lets small cosmetic scissors into the cabin and mentions those for eyebrows and nose hair. Australia's Home Affairs names manicure scissors among the sharp items prohibited in carry-on.

Nail clippers: the rule country by country

The carry-on answer for nail clippers is the same in all 3 other places we checked.

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

Buying nail clippers in Japan

Where to buy

Hundred-yen shops and drugstores.

Related items

• Razors (safety and disposable)
• Electric shavers
• Scissors
• Knives (kitchen and pocket)
• Box cutters and utility knives
• Tweezers