TSA issues guidance on prohibited items and required identification

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued reminders to travelers regarding prohibited items and necessary identification at security checkpoints.

Regarding prohibited items, the TSA clarified that it does not automatically confiscate routine objects. Passengers are typically offered alternatives, such as checking the item, returning it to a vehicle, giving it to a non-traveling companion, or mailing it home. If a passenger chooses not to pursue these options, the item is classified as “voluntarily abandoned property” and may be discarded or auctioned. Travelers are encouraged to pack with empty bags to avoid accidentally carrying items from previous trips.

Additionally, guidance has been shared regarding identification. For domestic travel within the United States, passengers are advised to carry federal or state-issued ID cards or passports. Documents such as Social Security cards and birth certificates are considered “wholly useless” for the screening process and carry a high risk of being lost. For travelers without standard identification, the TSA offers an identity verification process through the confirmID program.