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Can you take mercury on a plane?

In Japan mercury cannot go on a plane at all, in carry-on or checked bags. Carry-on: No. Mercury itself and mercury blood-pressure gauges are not allowed. A mercury barometer or mercury thermometer may be carried on only by staff of the Japan Meteorological Agency or an equivalent body, in a strong container with a mercury-proof lining or bag. Checked baggage: No, with one exception: a mercury medical thermometer, one per person, for your own use, in its protective case.

Updated

NoCarry-on in Japan
NoChecked bag in Japan
7countries compared

Carry-on: noChecked bag: no

Mercury on flights in and from Japan

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

Mercury: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
WhereAllowed?What applies
In the cabinNoNo. Mercury itself and mercury blood-pressure gauges are not allowed. A mercury barometer or mercury thermometer may be carried on only by staff of the Japan Meteorological Agency or an equivalent body, in a strong container with a mercury-proof lining or bag.
In checked baggageNoNo, with one exception: a mercury medical thermometer, one per person, for your own use, in its protective case.

Mercury thermometers, barometers and blood pressure gauges

Japan's list has separate rows for mercury itself and for each instrument that contains it, and the instruments do not all go in the same bag.

The thermometer is checked, the barometer is carried on
The marks run in opposite directions. Japan's list allows a mercury medical thermometer in checked baggage only. Its row for mercury barometers and other mercury thermometers is marked for carry-on only, in a strong container lined against leaks, and only when carried by staff of the Meteorological Agency or an equivalent body. The TSA adds that the airline must be told, and CASA requires airline approval.
Blood pressure gauges, and what is not mercury
The mercury sphygmomanometer has its own row on Japan's list, × in both columns, with no exception for personal use, and Australia's CASA forbids mercury in articles other than thermometers. Instruments without mercury are another matter. Narita's FAQ says blood pressure monitors and glucose monitors may be carried on board and does not mention mercury. The TSA notes that a thermometer with a red line instead of silver is not mercury.
Classed as a corrosive
The lists that sort their bans by hazard and name mercury put it with corrosives. GOV.UK names it under corrosives or bleaching agents, next to chlorine, as something for neither hand luggage nor the hold. South Korea's dangerous goods page gives the mercury thermometer as an example of corrosive materials, beside glacial acetic acid and wet batteries. Japan's list simply marks mercury × ×.

Mercury: the rule country by country

Mercury is allowed in carry-on under conditions in the United States.

Mercury: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying fromCarry-onChecked bagWhat the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation BureauNoNoMercury itself and mercury blood-pressure gauges are not allowed. Source
United StatesTSAWith limitsWith limitsA mercury weather barometer or thermometer may be carried in carry-on only by a representative of a government weather bureau or similar agency. One small mercury medical thermometer per passenger: checked bag only, in a protective case.TSA entry: Weather Barometer or Thermometer (Mercury), Medical-Clinical Thermometer (Mercury) Source
United KingdomUK GovernmentNoNoMercury is listed under corrosives or bleaching agents, which cannot be taken in hand luggage or in the hold. Source
TaiwanCivil Aviation AdministrationNoWith limitsA small medical thermometer containing mercury: not in hand baggage; 1 per person may be checked, in a protective case. Mercury barometers and thermometers may be carried on board only by government weather bureau or similar official staff. Source
Hong KongCivil Aviation DepartmentNoWith limitsThe only mercury item listed is a medical or clinical thermometer containing mercury: not allowed in carry-on; one per person may go in checked baggage, in a protective case. Source
Mainland ChinaCAACNoWith limitsMercury thermometer: not allowed in carry-on. It can be checked in a protective case, one per passenger. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASANoNoMercury as free liquid or contained within articles other than thermometers is a forbidden item in carry-on and checked baggage. A medical or clinical mercury thermometer may go in checked baggage, no more than one per person.CASA Pack Right entry: Mercury as free liquid or contained within articles other than thermometers, Medical or clinical thermometers containing mercury 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 mercury through

What to do
Mercury cannot go in checked baggage either. Leave it behind or hand it to someone who is not flying. 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 take mercury on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: No. Mercury itself and mercury blood-pressure gauges are not allowed. A mercury barometer or mercury thermometer may be carried on only by staff of the Japan Meteorological Agency or an equivalent body, in a strong container with a mercury-proof lining or bag. In checked baggage: No, with one exception: a mercury medical thermometer, one per person, for your own use, in its protective case.

Can you bring a mercury thermometer on a plane?

Only in checked baggage. Japan's list allows 1 mercury medical thermometer per person, for personal use and in its protective case, in checked baggage and not in carry-on. The TSA, Hong Kong's CAD and Mainland China's CAAC set the same terms: checked baggage only, in a protective case, and no more than one for each passenger.

Can you take a mercury barometer on a plane?

Not as an ordinary traveller. Japan's list allows a mercury barometer in carry-on only when it is carried by staff of the Meteorological Agency or an equivalent body, and never in checked baggage. The TSA, Taiwan's CAA and Australia's CASA likewise limit it to a representative of a government weather bureau or similar agency, and Taiwan and Australia also require the airline's approval.

Does the TSA allow mercury in carry-on bags?

A mercury weather barometer or thermometer may be carried in carry-on only by a representative of a government weather bureau or similar agency. One small mercury medical thermometer per passenger: checked bag only, in a protective case.

Can you take mercury in hand luggage in the UK or Europe?

The United Kingdom: Mercury is listed under corrosives or bleaching agents, which cannot be taken in hand luggage or in the hold.

Can you put mercury in checked luggage?

Not on flights in or from Japan. No, with one exception: a mercury medical thermometer, one per person, for your own use, in its protective case.

What is the rule for mercury on flights from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mainland China?

Taiwan: A small medical thermometer containing mercury: not in hand baggage; 1 per person may be checked, in a protective case. Mercury barometers and thermometers may be carried on board only by government weather bureau or similar official staff. Hong Kong: The only mercury item listed is a medical or clinical thermometer containing mercury: not allowed in carry-on; one per person may go in checked baggage, in a protective case. Mainland China: Mercury thermometer: not allowed in carry-on. It can be checked in a protective case, one per passenger.

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