Flying - Syringes for T in Checked Luggage or Carry-on?

[vic93]

Hi,

I'm flying out to the UK from the Untied States next week; I'm starting university over there. I'm bringing testosterone and my syringes with me. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with bringing the syringes on the plane, and if it is better to put them in my checked luggage or my carry-on? My flight is a direct flight, so there's less chance of my luggage getting lost. I just can't decide what's better and keep going back and forth on it.

Also, I do have a doctor's note and my prescription label for the syringes - I'm just paranoid that they'll get confiscated even if I present those when going through security, if I did put them in my carry-on. I've never flown before so I have no idea what to expect.

Thanks for the help!

[Jessica Merriman]

The U.S. TSA will not allow it from my experience. It must be in checked baggage because of the fluid amount and needles. I have not flown in a while though, someone else? 

[CursedFireDean]

To my knowledge as long as you have your prescription it's fine. It's a small enough amount of liquid (assuming you have a/a few 10ml vials) but I think you may also need a letter from the prescribing doctor

[pianoforte]

Theoretically you are supposed to keep all prescription medications in your carry on. This includes syringes. But many TSA and customs people will give you a hard time about it (mostly because they don't have the training, or are unfamiliar with protocol). I personally would go the route of carry on and advocating for myself if there were any problems. Especially since it is possible that syringes could be removed from checked baggage during a search. Better to have an argument and still have access to your medicine than have it taken away due to a misunderstanding where you are not present to defend yourself.

[vic93]

Thanks for the responses!

I did end up calling the TSA cares hotline today and asked about it. They said it was fine, as log as I have the prescription label, and the t and the syringes are packed together. You just need to declare it as medically necessary at the beginning of the screening process.  Hopefully there's no issue when I actually do go through security.

[ErinS]

FWIW I fly with epipens in my pocket all the time and have never even been asked anything.

[aleon515]

TSA agents won't all know. But I wouldn't want to separate myself from any medications I have been prescribed. Luggage is lost too often. Never had trouble with my topical though. I don't think they are interested in drugs.


--Jay

[dylantexas90]

I always just leave it all in checked baggage. The worst anxiety I have ever had over it was last year going to Europe. We had two connecting flights and in the end I am glad I didn't have it in my carry on just in case security held me up. But I just packed all my syringes and vial together in the same (mesh see thru) pocket with the pharmacy slip. Even found a nice pencil case that was long enough for me to keep syringes in without having to worry about them getting crushed or the needles breaking off. And sure enough it all made it to my final destination.

[Ayden]

I've flown in and out of the us three times with my vial and syringes with me in my carry on. Never had a single problem.

[twowings]

I travel 80%+ of the time and in general coming into the US a reasonable medical amount of syringes and liquids (especially with a scrip - I travel without one) should be fine.  The only place in the recent year they removed my syringes was outbound to the US from Guatemala (although they also removed my cuticle scissors so it was just their thing).  They had no issue with the under 2oz of liquid (unlabeled T) so frankly I didn't care.  Generally inbound to the US they are not going to go through your luggage item by item like they do in C America.  You should be just fine as a carry on especially since you have the scrip.  If you have any issues feel free to ask (politely) for a supervisor - in general I find the TSA to be quite good on average in dealing with these various things (they are not perfect - but having done over 150k miles flown year to date, I deal with the TSA and other countries' immigration frequently).