Do I have to declare scissors at United States customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare scissors in United States?

Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.

Can I post or ship scissors to United States instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take scissors out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking scissors out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Can I carry scissors in the cabin or in checked baggage?

In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Allowed. The carriage limit is 10.2000 cm. This comes from National regulator, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.

Does the United States limit for scissors apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in What Can I Bring? Complete List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “If packed in carry-on, they must be less than 4 inches from the pivot point.”

How does United States compare with other countries on scissors?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 2 prohibit scissors, 12 limit it and 6 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Scissors can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Scissors into United States only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage Allowed with conditions Source: National regulator

Checked baggage Allowed Source: National regulator

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

National security rule

On person Not stated

Cabin baggage Allowed with conditions

Checked baggage Allowed

Blade length (cm): 0–10.2 cm

Scissors | Transportation Security Administration US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) · May 11, 2017

Last verified Sep 19, 2026

Report a mistake with this rule

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Air France	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

What Can I Bring? Complete List Transportation Security Administration

Questions about Scissors in United States

Do I have to declare scissors at United States customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare scissors in United States?: Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
Can I post or ship scissors to United States instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take scissors out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking scissors out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Can I carry scissors in the cabin or in checked baggage?: In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Allowed. The carriage limit is 10.2000 cm. This comes from National regulator, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.
Does the United States limit for scissors apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in What Can I Bring? Complete List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “If packed in carry-on, they must be less than 4 inches from the pivot point.”
How does United States compare with other countries on scissors?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 2 prohibit scissors, 12 limit it and 6 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

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