A magnifying glass is a harmless and handy tool that you can use for many purposes or to keep yourself entertained by playing the Eye Spy game on your flight.
And it is actually not a complicated thing to bring a magnifying glass on a plane.
I’ve put this post to magnify on everything you need to know about traveling with a magnifying glass.
Let’s dive right in.
TL;DR 🔍
- According to the TSA, you can bring magnifying glasses on a plane carry-on and checked luggage
- Your magnifying glass will be subject to additional screening if it triggers the alarm.
- If you are taking a large magnifier, ensure that you abide by your airline luggage size limits.
- The TSA strongly recommends that you remove any items and accessories from your pocket before beginning the security screening process.
What Are The TSA Rules For Magnifying Glasses?
The TSA ( Transportation Security Administration) wants to make sure that everything passengers bring on airplanes is safe and won’t cause any security problems.
They have a list of items that are allowed or restricted in carry-on and checked baggage, and you can find the complete list on their website.
They didn’t specifically mention any type of magnifying glass on their website.
So I searched for answers about magnifying glasses on their social media pages, like X and Reddit.
There are no responses from the TSA on Reddit but I found this exchange on X.
Ray pavan ( @pavray4 ) wanted to bring this magnifying glass with stands on his carry-on.
The TSA customer service replied that a magnifying glass is good to go in carry-on bags.
So you can bring all these small types of magnifying glasses without any issues.
- Bar magnifiers.
- Dome magnifiers.
- Binocular magnifiers.
- Handheld magnifiers.
- Globe magnifiers.
- Desktop video magnifiers.
- Fresnel magnifiers.
- Magnifying lamps.
Avoid magnifying glasses with sharp edges, sharp pointers or metal frames. These features will raise the Rock eyebrow (I mean the TSA agent eyebrow ).
It may result in your magnifying glass being delayed or even confiscated.
Read also: Can You Take Glass on a Plane?
Can I Take a Magnifying Glass In Checked Baggage?
There are no restrictions on taking a magnifying glass in your checked bag.
But if you have a magnifying glass that operates with lithium batteries, it is better to pack it in your carry-on baggage instead.
The FAA and most airlines do not allow uninstalled lithium batteries in a checked bag.
Also to keep your magnifying glass safe and intact, place it in a protective case or pouch, this will prevent your magnifying glass from getting scratched, broken, or lost, and will also make it easier for you to take it out and show it to the TSA officer if asked.
You can also label your magnifying glass with your name and contact information, in case it gets misplaced or mixed up with someone else’s.
How To Pack And Protect Your Magnifying Glass?
Once you’ve chosen your magnifying glass, you need to properly pack and protect it, so that it doesn’t get damaged, lost, or stolen during your trip.
Use a solid case or pouch. As I mentioned above, you need to always use a good case or pouch to protect you magnifying glass, preferably one that is made of soft and padded materials, and that has a zipper or a Velcro closure.
This will help your magnifying glass avoid getting scratched, broken, or dirty, and will also make it easier for you to find and access it in your luggage.
What Are The Best Magnifying Glasses For Travel?
If you wonder what are the best magnifying glasses for travel. Of course, this depends on your personal preference and needs, but here are some features that you might want to look for in a travel-friendly magnifying glass:
- Compact and portable: You want a pocket magnifying glass that is easy to carry and store, and that doesn’t take up too much space or weight in your luggage.
- Adjustable: You want a magnifying glass that can adapt to different situations and lighting conditions, and that can magnify different objects and texts with clarity and accuracy.
- Durable and reliable: You want a magnifying glass that can withstand the wear and tear of travel, and that can perform well and last long.
Final Thoughts
The TSA won’t stop you from taking a magnifying glass on plane carry-on and checked baggage.
However, that doesn’t mean the TSA or any airport security agent doesn’t have the right to ban a magnifying glass from going on the airplane.
For example a large magnifying glass with a long hand and a heavy end (like a pan ) might not be accepted through the security checkpoint as it can be used as a bludgeon to kick someone in the head.
So it is better to place it in checked baggage.
I hope this helps.
Happy travels.
- Can You Take a Microscope On a Plane?
- Can You Bring Binoculars On a Plane?
- Can You Take Sunglasses On a Plane?
- Can I Take a Mirror On a Plane?
Resources
- https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/lithium-batteries
- https://twitter.com/search
- https://opticsmag.com/pocket-magnifying-glasses/