Passport, phone, charger, favourite vibrator. Some of us like to give the holiday packing list a decent ending.
Taking sex toys away is mostly about batteries, liquids, protecting the toy and knowing the rules where you're going. A little preparation means more time enjoying the hotel bed and less time wondering why your suitcase has switched itself on.
Sort out the battery before packing
Under CASA guidance, eligible devices with lithium batteries installed can travel in cabin or checked baggage, subject to battery limits and other conditions. Cabin baggage is the recommended choice. In checked baggage, the device must be completely switched off and protected against damage and accidental activation.
Spare lithium batteries and power banks go in cabin baggage only, with terminals protected against short circuits. If your cabin bag gets checked at the gate, remove those spares and power banks first.
Airlines can set stricter limits, including power-bank rules, so confirm the requirements for your flight. A toy's travel lock helps prevent an accidental start, but it doesn't replace the requirement to switch a checked device fully off.
Put lube in the right bottle
For flights covered by Australia's international liquid restrictions, each carry-on liquid or gel container must hold no more than 100 mL or 100 g. The containers must fit in one transparent resealable bag with a capacity of no more than one litre per person.
It's the container size that counts. A nearly empty 250 mL bottle of lube is still a 250 mL bottle, however persuasively you explain your weekend plans.
These limits don't apply to most Australian domestic flights, but international-terminal departures and connections can change the situation. Seal bottles against leaks either way. You want slippery sex, not slippery socks.
Pack for protection, not concealment
Clean and dry your toy, put it in a pouch and cushion delicate parts. Keep the charger with it. A pouch keeps your things organised and more private while you open the bag, but security officers may still need to inspect them.
If asked, describe the item plainly and follow screening directions. If privacy concerns you, ask the screening supervisor what options are available. There's no need to invent a complicated story about an electric facial tool.
Look at destination and transit rules
Some countries restrict sex toys. Confirm the rules with official customs information for your destination and any relevant transit stops before packing. Airline permission to carry a battery doesn't settle whether an item is legal to bring into a country.
If the answer isn't clear, leave that toy at home. Don't gamble on a forum comment from someone whose holiday apparently went fine.
Unpack the fun, then remember to repack it
Keep toys somewhere private, clean and dry at your accommodation. Clean them after use and give them time to dry before heading home. Our toy storage guide covers the basics.
Travelling together? Our couples' toy guide can help you choose something you both fancy bringing. Then add the toy and its charger to your checkout list. Leaving a favourite vibrator in the hotel drawer is a particularly shit souvenir.