Can you bring an electric toothbrush on a plane? By country

Toothbrushes on flights in and from Japan

The Civil Aviation Bureau's list of restricted items has no entry for toothbrushes.

Toothbrushes: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
Where	Allowed?	What applies
In the cabin	Yes	Yes. Electric toothbrushes too.
In checked baggage	Yes	Yes.

Manual, battery and rechargeable toothbrushes compared

No list restricts a plain toothbrush. For an electric one, the battery is the only part the rules look at.

Not named on Japan's list: Japan's list of restricted items has no row for toothbrushes. An electric one is read through the battery table: a portable electronic device with a lithium-ion battery of 160Wh or less may be carried on or checked, and nickel-metal hydride batteries are marked as non-dangerous goods with the same answer.
A rechargeable brush in a checked bag: For a lithium-ion device packed in checked baggage, Japan's list asks for the power to be switched off completely when the battery is over 2.7Wh, and for measures against accidental activation and damage, such as a sturdy suitcase or wrapping in clothes. CASA says the same of an electric toothbrush by name: completely switched off, not in sleep or hibernation mode.
Spare batteries travel in the cabin: Loose batteries follow a different rule from the brush. On Japan's list a spare lithium-ion battery of 100Wh or less is allowed in the cabin and not in checked baggage, with measures against short circuits. Dry batteries carry no such split: the list marks them as non-dangerous goods for both.

Toothbrushes: the rule country by country

The carry-on answer for toothbrushes is the same in all 2 other places we checked.

Toothbrushes: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying from	Carry-on	Checked bag	What the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation Bureau	Yes	Yes	Electric toothbrushes too. Source
United StatesTSA	Yes	With limits	Toothbrushes are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. Electronic toothbrushes containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage; most other battery devices are allowed in carry-on and checked bags.TSA entry: Toothbrush, Electronic Toothbrush Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASA	Yes	With limits	Electric toothbrushes can go in carry-on or checked baggage and should be carried in carry-on. If checked, the device must be completely switched off and protected from damage and unintentional activation.CASA Pack Right entry: Electric shaver, toothbrush, epilator, beard trimmer, razor and similar devices for personal use Source

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

Buying toothbrushes in Japan

Where to buy: Convenience stores and hundred-yen shops. Hotels supply one.

Frequently asked questions

Can you bring an electric toothbrush on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. Electric toothbrushes too. In checked baggage: Yes.

Can you bring a regular toothbrush in carry-on?

Yes. The TSA lists Toothbrush as allowed in carry-on and checked bags with no special instructions. Japan's list is written for dangerous goods, meaning things that may explode, burn easily or harm people and property, and for blades and similar items that could be used in a hijacking. A plain toothbrush is neither, and the list has no row for it.

Can you bring a battery operated toothbrush on a plane?

Yes. A brush that runs on replaceable dry batteries is the simplest case: Japan's list marks dry batteries as non-dangerous goods, allowed in either bag, and the TSA says most consumer devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. For a brush with a lithium battery the TSA's wording is that it should be carried in carry-on baggage.

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

Toothbrushes are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. Electronic toothbrushes containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage; most other battery devices are allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

Can you put a toothbrush in checked luggage?

Yes on flights in and from Japan. The United States and Australia: accepted in checked baggage with conditions.

What is the rule for toothbrushes on flights from Australia?

Australia: Electric toothbrushes can go in carry-on or checked baggage and should be carried in carry-on. If checked, the device must be completely switched off and protected from damage and unintentional activation.

Related items

Sources for this page

Japan Civil Aviation Bureau — items that can and cannot be carried by airchecked October 2, 2026
Japan Civil Aviation Bureau — Items restricted in carry-on and checked baggage (updated 24 April 2026)checked October 2, 2026
Japan Civil Aviation Bureau — Items restricted in carry-on and checked baggage (Japanese)checked October 2, 2026
TSA — What Can I Bring?: Toothbrush + Electronic Toothbrushchecked October 1, 2026
CASA — Pack Right: Electric shaver, toothbrush, epilator, beard trimmer, razor and similar devices for personal usechecked October 1, 2026