Sex Toy Buying Guides & Learning Center

Too scared to take your favorite friends on vacation? Fear no more. The Spicy Gear Learning Center has the complete guide for taking your dildos, butt plugs, fetish gear, lubricants, and vibrators on vacation!

Before we dive in, as a disclaimer, TSA has the final say and their clear-cut rules on security screening can be found at: TSA Security Screening.

Here’s a brief list of items that aren’t allowed on flights:

• Explosive and incendiary materials (like gunpowder)
• Flammable items (like gasoline, lighters, paint thinner)
• Gasses and pressure containers (like aerosols, oxygen tanks, mace)
• Matches
• Oxidizers (bleach, fertilizers, spa chemicals)
• Poisons (pesticides, arsenic, insecticides)
• Laboratory specimens
• Corrosives (drain cleaner, car batteries, wet cell batteries, acid)
• Radioactive materials (unless they are in implants)
• Strong magnets (like those found in loudspeakers)
• Drugs (including marijuana)
• Spray paint, tear gas, chlorine, peroxides

So long as your sexual routine doesn’t involve any of those things (or if it does, you’re not traveling with it), then it’s completely legal to bring your Magic Wand, I mean “personal item,” on flights in the United States. There are no laws against flying with adult toys, but due to airport security measures, it’s impossible to get your toys there without being seen by the eyes of TSA workers. For the most part, this shouldn’t be a concern of yours but I totally get that the awkwardness is real. And I have zero shame in saying that I absolutely make my husband put the sex toys in his checked bag every time, even if it's just the Magic Wand Mini.

TSA staff comb through thousands of bags a day and I find comfort in the fact that they’ve probably seen weirder. But there have been incidents in the past where passengers have been harassed by TSA agents who have found their toys. For example:

Image courtesy of AirSafe.

One passenger found this note in her baggage after transporting a toy in her checked baggage. The handler responsible for this infraction was sought and promptly fired, but it no doubt made the passenger feel uncomfortable.

While there’s no way to ensure that TSA Agents will handle your things appropriately, you can at least take certain measures for your own peace of mind:

Check them, if you can. If you’re checking a bag, keep your toys safely in there. This will prevent potential awkwardness at the security checkpoint, if that’s a concern for you. I was personally mortified when my carry-on was opened up for the world to see with my bras and panties on display while my only crime was bringing an aerosol can of dry shampoo. I’m still bitter about having to toss it even though it was completely my fault.

Be honest. Even if you check your bags, you may be asked what certain items were. This happened to me once. I was flying internationally and was stopped because I had 3 portable chargers in my backpack. It might seem like overkill, but a dead phone in a foreign country is top 3 on my list of Worst Things That Can Ever Happen. If this happens to you due to one of your toys, let them know that it was an adult toy and tell them you’ll be happy to answer any questions. This should, hopefully, help you avoid further questions. I’m fairly confident the TSA staff will want to get through the situation as quickly as you do.

Put them in clear plastic bags. In most cases, this will keep the TSA staff from actually touching your adult toys. They’ll be able to view the contents while maintaining as much sanitation as possible. But again: TSA can and will go through it if they believe they have good enough reason to do so. But the plastic bag trick will allow for as much transparency as possible.

Clean your toys before using them again. On the off-hand chance that they were touched, this is always a safe way to go. You definitely don’t want to risk a possible UTI or anything similar if you can help it. We have a great selection of toy cleaners! 

Take the batteries out. If your toy has batteries, removing them and placing them in a separate container (like a Tupperware or another plastic bag) will ensure that they don’t turn on, wasting said-batteries and alarming TSA workers. It will also show the TSA workers that the device is safely stored for in-flight purposes. While it may seem like a hassle once you’re at your destination, you might want to consider bringing a dead toy (if it’s rechargeable) and charging it once you get there. Nothing screams OPEN MY SUITCASE more than your vibrator buzzing after accidentally being turned on. Just don’t forget your charger! Or think about buying a separate charger to leave in your checked bag like I do!

Don’t lock your suitcase. And if you do, make sure it’s a TSA recognized lock (more info from TSA on recognized locks is here.) TSA workers will break unrecognized locks off suitcases to perform their checks, even if all you’re hiding are your collars and leashes. The good news is if your suitcase comes with a lock on it already, there should be a TSA lock near the combination so they can open it if needed without breaking anything.

Consider travel-friendly and discreet toys. If bringing your huge dildo still makes you a little weak in the knees (in a bad way,) then consider something a little more discreet. There are tons of tiny toys that might attract less attention than the aforementioned dildo but still pack a huge amount of power. We have a huge selection of discreet vibrators that you might be able to slip in your suitcase without being noticed.

If you think that your items have been inappropriately handled, you have the right to file with the TSA. Don’t be afraid to do so! Harassment is absolutely unacceptable in any scenario- toys or no toys. Not only does this include leaving notes behind, like above, but if you do bring your toy in your carry on and experience rudeness from TSA agents at the security checkpoint. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and ask to see a manager, or file a complaint later on. Each TSA worker is required to wear a security badge with their name on it. If you choose to file a complaint later on, make a note on your phone as soon as you leave the checkpoint and write down all important bits of info- date and time, the TSA staff name, etc. You can file a claim online with the TSA here.

Traveling with lubes and toy cleaner may also come with its own hassles. Since it is a liquid, it will have to adhere to the TSA regulations, just like shampoo, water bottles, and other liquid containers.

Currently, the rule is 3-1-1: 3.4 fl. oz. bottles on, all placed in one quart-sized plastic bag, one bag per person. You may be asked to remove this bag from your carry-on while at the security checkpoint, like you would a laptop, so be prepared for that. Luckily, many of the lube brands that we carry come in 3.4 fl. oz. bottles, because it’s exactly 100 ML. A fine example? Pjur’s line has tons of them, including their Pjur Woman Aqua. Don’t worry, there’s a silicone-based one too!