Pocket Knife 🇺🇸 United States
Legal to bring; TSA prohibits in carry-on
Can I bring Pocket Knife into United States?
Legal to bring; TSA prohibits in carry-on
Within personal allowance — no separate declaration needed
Full details
Pocket knives are legal to own and carry in most US states. However, TSA prohibits all knives in carry-on luggage — they must be in checked bags. State and local knife laws vary significantly — some cities restrict blade length, locking mechanisms, or concealed carry of knives.
Leaving United States with pocket knife
A personal pocket knife faces no export formality from United States when packed in checked baggage — blades of any size are prohibited from cabin baggage under aviation security rules worldwide. The practical constraints are destination-side: public-carry laws vary sharply (blade-length limits, locking-blade bans, and "good reason" requirements in countries such as the UK), and some jurisdictions treat certain knife types (automatic, gravity, butterfly) as prohibited weapons at import.
Legal to bring in checked luggage only. TSA will confiscate from carry-on. Check destination state/city knife laws.
TSA prohibited items list, state knife laws
This page covers destination customs rules in United States. Whether you can carry pocket knife through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Pocket Knife rules in other countries
Pocket Knife
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Folding blades under 3 inches permitted in public. Locking knives and longer blades restricted.
Pocket Knife
🇦🇺 Australia
Non-locking folding knives generally permitted
Pocket Knife
🇯🇵 Japan
Blades over 6cm prohibited under Firearms and Swords Control Law
Pocket Knife
🇸🇬 Singapore
Offensive weapons prohibited under Arms & Explosives Act
Pocket Knife
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Bladed weapons prohibited under Federal Penal Code
Pocket Knife
🇨🇦 Canada
Pocket Knife import prohibited