Yes. TSA allows solid wax candles in both carry-on and checked bags. Gel candles are the one exception: TSA lists gel-type candles as allowed in checked bags only. Here is what that means and how to pack a candle so it arrives in one piece.
TSA rules for candles
| Candle | Carry-on bag | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wax candles: soy, paraffin, beeswax, in jars, tins or votives | Yes | Yes |
| Gel-type candles | No | Yes |
Lighters and matches have their own rules, so check before you pack one. The TSA officer at the checkpoint has the final say, and airlines can set their own limits, so look up any item in TSA’s What Can I Bring? tool before you fly.
Is a soy candle solid or gel?
Solid. Soy, paraffin, beeswax and coconut wax candles are all solid at room temperature, so they fall under the solid candle rule. A gel candle is clear and jelly-like, made from a mineral oil gel rather than wax, and it is easy to tell apart.
Will a candle hold you up at security?
A block of wax can look dense on an X-ray, so an officer may want a closer look at your bag. Pack candles near the top of your carry-on, where they are easy to take out, and allow a little extra time.
How to pack a candle for a flight
- Choose a tin when you can. A tin will not shatter, and its lid keeps the wax clean. Our travel tin candle was made for this.
- Wrap glass jars well. Roll the jar in a sweater or bubble wrap and pack it in the middle of the bag, with soft clothes on every side.
- Keep the lid on. It keeps the scent in and stops anything from getting into the wax.
- Keep it cool. Soy wax softens in heat, so do not leave it in a hot car on the way to or from the airport.
- Carry gifts on board. A candle in your carry-on skips the rough handling checked bags get.
Can you burn a candle in a hotel room?
Many hotels do not allow open flames, so check the rules before you light anything. Even unlit, a strongly scented candle with the lid off gives a small room a light, familiar scent, which is a nice way to make a hotel room feel like home.
A candle made for travel
Our travel tin candle is hand-poured from 100% soy wax in a durable tin with a lid and heat-dissipating safety feet, in any of our over 200 fragrances. Browse all of our soy candles, or pick a scent from our best candle scents.
Questions people ask
Yes, if it is a solid wax candle. Soy, paraffin and beeswax candles are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. Gel candles must go in checked bags.
Solid wax candles do not. Gel-type candles are not allowed in carry-on bags at all, so pack those in a checked bag.
TSA rules cover screening at US airports. Other countries and airlines set their own rules, so check with your airline before an international trip.
Wrap it in clothing or bubble wrap and pack it in the middle of your bag, or choose a candle in a tin.