Can You Bring Candles on a Plane?

If you’re going to visit friends or family, a delicious-smelling candle to spruce up their home might seem like the perfect gift — or maybe you’ve found a new candle you’re obsessed with while on your trip, and now you’re wondering how you’re going to bring it back home. 

There’s a lot of uncertainty about whether or not you can actually take candles through airport security. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to bring candles in your carry-on luggage and checked baggage, as well as five candles worth trying from Snif. 

Can You Bring Candles on a Flight?

Before we answer the all-important question of whether or not you can bring candles on a flight, it’s important to note that there are two main types of candles: gel candles and solid wax candles. This difference is important, because the rules vary slightly depending on what type of candle you want to travel with. 

Gel candles (you might also have heard them called gel wax candles or liquid candles) are mostly made of polymer resin, and contain a small amount of mineral oil. Given their composition, gel candles are considered a liquid by the TSA. 

Unfortunately, although small amounts of certain liquids are allowed in hand luggage, gel candles are completely banned from carry-on bags. If you want to travel with gel candles, you need to pack them in your checked luggage like you would other prohibited items, such as some aerosols or bigger liquids. 

The most common type of candle is a solid wax candle — which you can usually bring with you if you’re flying anywhere in the United States. Unlike gel candles, there are almost no restrictions for traveling with solid wax candles. You can travel with them when they’re packaged in glass containers, ceramic, metal, or unpackaged. Given that solid wax candles have been deemed safe by TSA rules, you can bring them in both your carry-on and checked luggage.

Can You Pack Candles in Your Carry-On?

Gel candles aren’t allowed in carry-on luggage, but thankfully, solid wax candles can be taken in your carry-on. 

Now that you know a little bit about the rules regarding candles and flying, you might be wondering about the best way to travel with a solid wax candle. Given that they are heavy, your instinct might be to pack your candles at the bottom of your backpack or suitcase. However, there’s a (small) chance your candles might be searched by TSA, so it might be more convenient to keep them near the top for easy access. 

Also, make sure to pack your candle in a transparent plastic bag. If you’re worried about it breaking, wrapping it in bubble wrap before placing it in the bag might be wise. Even the highest-quality candles sometimes react strangely to planes so, just in case anything were to happen, it’s best to make sure your candle is sealed and kept separate from the rest of your belongings. 

Keeping that in mind, it’s also best to save gift wrapping for when you land. TSA may want to inspect the candle, and it would be a shame to spend time wrapping your gift only to have the wrapping taken apart by security officers. 

Are There Size Restrictions for Candles on Planes?

There isn’t a limit to the size of candles you can bring on planes. There’s also no limit to the number of candles you can bring. However, given that candles tend to be quite dense, it may be a good idea not to stuff your checked bag full of them, given that most airlines have weight restrictions. 

Their density is the reason that most TSA agents insist on checking candles by hand, so, again, it’s a good idea to take them out of your carry-on bag before you send it through the scanner to save time. 

Can You Bring Matches or Lighters on a Plane?

If you’re gifting a luxurious candle, you might want to find some cool matches or an antique lighter to give along with it. The good news is that you can do so, but only if you’re planning on giving only one candle as a gift, depending on how many bags you have. 

According to the TSA guidelines, you can bring disposable and Zippo lighters in checked bags, but you can only bring one book or packet of matches in your carry-on or on your person. The same goes for lighters. You can bring one absorbed liquid or butane lighter in your carry-on bag. 

What Are Some New Candles To Try?

You have all the travel tips you need to safely fly with candles, which means it’s time to find the candles that you’re going to take aboard with you. In this section, we’ll introduce you to five new Snif scented candles that are plane-approved. 

Sweet Ash

This is the candle version of Sweet Ash, the most popular Snif fragrance. This sweet scent is made with juniper, bergamot, fir balsam, tonka, vanilla bean, white moss, and patchouli, this candle will bring a subtle, sweet warmth to any room. The earthy scents combine with richer, sweeter scents to make a fragrance that is timeless and addicting. 

Instant Karma

If you’re looking for something on the spicier side, look no further than Instant Karma. This warm and cozy candle features the warmth of ingredients like cardamom, cedarwood, cinnamon, vetiver, and black tea, which are balanced by fruity, floral scents like nashi pear, black plum, and geranium. The result is a creamy, cozy smell that will infuse any room with a relaxing, sensual feeling. 

Big Flirt

As the name promises, the Big Flirt candle is alluring and sultry thanks to its all-star ingredient list that showcases wild strawberry, champagne, chocolate ganache, jasmine, vanilla milk, and patchouli gayo. The striking red of this color and its scalloped glass jar means that it will do as much for the visual decor as it will for the olfactory ambiance. Treat your guests to a juicy delight with this strawberry and chocolate candle.

Way With Woods

If you’re looking for something a little more understated, Way With Woods may be the candle for you. This woodsy candle combines white tea, mandarin, sandalwood, amber woods, vetiver, and musk. It has an earthy, crisp fragrance that will bring an air of calm and lightness to your or your loved one’s living space. 

Off the Grid

For those looking for help unwinding, Off The Grid is an amber candle that’s here to assist. There’s something irresistible about the soothing blend of lily, moss, cypress, tuberose, cedar, amber, and sandalwood. It’s time to hit Do Not Disturb — this is the kind of candle you can keep burning all day long and never get tired of. 

All Aboard

Grab your favorite candles, pack your bags, and get ready to hit the runway. For a hassle-free security experience, keep your wax candles near the top of your bag, and remember that you’ll likely have to show them to the TSA agents. 

You are theoretically allowed to have an unlimited number of candles of any size, but the final decision rests with TSA in terms of what’s allowed — by following the guidelines outlined in this article, though, candle lovers can rejoice in bringing their favorite goodies across the USA.

Sources:

Gel-Type Candles | Transportation Security Administration

TSA

What Can I Bring? Flammables | Transportation Security Administration.

Examination of the influence of cedar fragrance on cognitive function and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in Alzheimer type dementia | NIH