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Can you bring a razor on a plane?

In Japan razors are allowed in carry-on with conditions, and in checked bags. Carry-on: T-shaped razors and small cosmetic razors, the kind used for eyebrows, can be carried on. Other razors go in checked baggage. Checked baggage: Yes.

Updated

Yes, within limitsCarry-on in Japan
YesChecked bag in Japan
7countries compared

Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yes

Razors on flights in and from Japan

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

Razors (safety and disposable): carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
WhereAllowed?What applies
In the cabinYes, within limitsT-shaped razors and small cosmetic razors, the kind used for eyebrows, can be carried on. Other razors go in checked baggage.
In checked baggageYesYes.

The national list and Narita Airport's own FAQ do not say the same thing here. The checked bag is the safe choice.

Narita AirportNarita's FAQ answers more strictly: razors and other sharp objects are prohibited in carry-on baggage and should go in the suitcase you check in.Narita International Airport FAQ

Cartridge razors, safety razors and loose blades at security

Japan's list marks razors as not allowed in the cabin, then names the kinds that may pass. Some other authorities draw the line at whether the blade sits in a cartridge.

Filed with knives on Japan's list
The row is simply called razor and sits in the knives group, between the scalpel and scissors. Its carry-on column shows ×, the list's mark for not allowed. The note beside it then lets through T-shaped razors and the small cosmetic razors used on eyebrows, and adds that electric shavers can be carried on. A razor that fits none of those descriptions stays under the ×.
A blade in a cartridge and a loose blade are separate items
The TSA has an entry called Razor-Type Blades, marked no for carry-on, and explains it as razor blades not in a cartridge. GOV.UK words the item it allows as fixed-cartridge razor blades, with disposable razor in brackets. Hong Kong's CAD bans razor blades and open razors from the cabin and excepts safety or disposable razors whose blades are enclosed in a cartridge.
A safety razor at a TSA checkpoint
The TSA entry is titled Safety Razor With Blades (allowed without blade) and is marked no for carry-on. The blade must be removed before entering the checkpoint, and TSA officers are not authorized to remove the blades from the holder. Australia's Home Affairs uses the same term without that condition: Safety razor is on its list of sharp items that you can take on board.
The cream that goes with the razor
Narita Airport's FAQ takes a follow-up question from a traveller who has accepted that a razor is a sharp object and asks about the products used with it. The airport answers that shaving cream and hair gel are subject to the restrictions on carry-on liquids on international flights, so they follow those rules in the cabin or go in checked baggage.

Razors: the rule country by country

In the United Kingdom the authority's page lists razors as allowed in carry-on.

Razors (safety and disposable): carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying fromCarry-onChecked bagWhat the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation BureauWith limitsYesT-shaped razors and small cosmetic razors, the kind used for eyebrows, can be carried on. Other razors go in checked baggage. Source
United StatesTSAWith limitsYesDisposable razors are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. A safety razor is allowed through the checkpoint only without the blade, which must be removed beforehand; safety razors with blades go in checked bags.TSA entry: Disposable Razor, Safety Razor With Blades (allowed without blade) Source
European UnionEuropean Commission, EASAWith limitsYesRazor blades are on the list of articles prohibited in cabin baggage; they must be surrendered at the security checkpoint or packed in hold luggage. Source
United KingdomUK GovernmentYesYesFixed-cartridge razor blades (disposable razors) are allowed in hand luggage and hold luggage. Source
South KoreaMOLIT Aviation Security 365With limitsYesRazor blades are banned from the cabin and can go in checked baggage. Razors with a built-in safety blade and safety razor blades are allowed in the cabin. Source
Hong KongCivil Aviation DepartmentWith limits—Safety razors and disposable razors with the blades enclosed in a cartridge are excepted from the cabin ban. Razor blades and open razors are banned from cabin baggage. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASAWith limitsYesSafety razors and disposable shaving razors can be carried on and checked in. Razor blades and open or straight razors are prohibited in carry-on; pack them in checked baggage.CASA Pack Right entry: Disposable razors and shaving razors (excluding open or straight razors), Open razors (also called straight razors), Razor blades 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 razors through

What to do
Move razors 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.

Buying razors in Japan

Where to buy
Convenience stores and drugstores. Hotels supply one.

Frequently asked questions

Can you bring a razor on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: T-shaped razors and small cosmetic razors, the kind used for eyebrows, can be carried on. Other razors go in checked baggage. In checked baggage: Yes.

Can you bring a safety razor on a plane?

Only without the blade if you pass a TSA checkpoint. The TSA marks Safety Razor With Blades as not allowed in carry-on and allowed in checked bags, and the blade must be removed before screening. Japan's list does not use the term: it allows T-shaped razors in the cabin and marks other razors as not allowed there. South Korea allows razors with a built-in safety blade.

Can you bring razor blades on a plane?

Not in carry-on under the TSA and EU lists. The TSA's Razor-Type Blades entry is marked no for carry-on and yes for checked bags, and the European Commission's list of articles prohibited in cabin baggage names razor blades. South Korea also bans razor blades from the cabin but makes an exception for safety razor blades. Blades fixed in a cartridge are a different item: GOV.UK lists fixed-cartridge razor blades as allowed in hand luggage.

Does the TSA allow a razor in carry-on bags?

Disposable razors are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. A safety razor is allowed through the checkpoint only without the blade, which must be removed beforehand; safety razors with blades go in checked bags.

Can you take a razor in hand luggage in the UK or Europe?

The United Kingdom: Fixed-cartridge razor blades (disposable razors) are allowed in hand luggage and hold luggage. The European Union: Razor blades are on the list of articles prohibited in cabin baggage; they must be surrendered at the security checkpoint or packed in hold luggage.

What is the rule for razors on flights from South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia?

South Korea: Razor blades are banned from the cabin and can go in checked baggage. Razors with a built-in safety blade and safety razor blades are allowed in the cabin. Hong Kong: Safety razors and disposable razors with the blades enclosed in a cartridge are excepted from the cabin ban. Razor blades and open razors are banned from cabin baggage. Australia: Safety razors and disposable shaving razors can be carried on and checked in. Razor blades and open or straight razors are prohibited in carry-on; pack them in checked baggage.

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026