Despite being a safe traveller with nothing to hide, I always get nervous when going through airport security. Being fairly new to climbing this got me thinking, can you take climbing chalk on a plane? Travelling with climbing chalk, in all its “bag of white powder that looks like something dodgy” glory doesn’t exactly make me look like an inconspicuous traveller by any stretch of the imagination.
In the following guide, I aim to answer this question and also provide some tips on how to get through airport security with as little hassle as possible.
For those after a quick answer to this question, yes you can take climbing chalk on a plane. The Transport Security Administration has confirmed that you can take climbing chalk both in your checked luggage and your carry on. There are still some considerations you should make to ensure a smooth passage through airport security.
Read on to find out more about how to travel on a plane with climbing chalk.
Can I Take Climbing Chalk In My Checked Luggage?
One way you might think about taking your climbing chalk is in your checked luggage, but are you allowed to do this?
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) confirmed on Twitter that you can take climbing chalk in your checked luggage:
Thanks for checking. Rock climbing chalk is allowed in checked bags. If we must open a checked bag for additional screening, we’re required to leave a notice of inspection and resolve all alarms. Safe travels.
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) November 26, 2019
Based on the question above, a key point here is whether your luggage will be searched for having rock climbing chalk in it. The TSA doesn’t confirm either way, however, you should be prepared for your luggage being searched if you are carrying a bag with white powder inside it.
Can I Take Climbing Chalk In My Hand Luggage / Carry-On Bag?
If you are keen to avoid having your checked luggage rummaged through by airport security, you might be tempted to try and take your climbing chalk through in your hand luggage instead, but is this a good idea?
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed on Twitter that climbing chalk is allowed in your carry-on bag:
Absolutely, Austin. Climbing chalk is allowed in carry-on bags. Safe travels!
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) April 15, 2017
There we go, you can take climbing chalk in your hand luggage/carry-on.
Which Climbing Chalk Can I Take On A Plane?
Now we know that we can take climbing chalk on a plane, the next thing we need to know is which chalk is allowed on a plane.
Powdered Climbing Chalk
The most suspicious-looking chalk you can take with you on a plane would have to be powdered climbing chalk. With a strong resemblance to several drugs, taking this powder with you is likely to raise the most suspicion when travelling.
All is not lost though as this does not mean you can’t take it with you.
Try to avoid carrying powdered chalk with you loose in an unidentified bag as this is highly likely to raise suspicion. Instead, consider the following:
- Bring the chalk in the original packaging (preferable sealed)
- Store it inside your chalk bag (make sure you have your chalk bag stored to not spew chalk everywhere)
Chalk Blocks
Carrying chalk blocks is less suspicious than taking powdered chalk with you as it comes in a completely formed block rather than a loose pile of rock climbing chalk.
Again it might look a little suspicious to carry this in an unidentified (non-branded) bag within your luggage, as you might just come across as a more sophisticated drugs mule.
Instead, consider the following:
- Bring the blocks in the original packaging (preferably sealed)
- Store is inside of your chalk bag (sealed and stored correctly)
Chalk Balls
Chalk balls are another way of transporting your climbing chalk which will look less suspicious than taking your loose chalk with you.
You will need to make sure you store this correctly to avoid it covering your full bag with dust, so consider putting this in a clear plastic bag.
Again, you should conder bringing this in its original packaging to avoid too many questions at security.
Liquid Chalk
Liquid chalk is probably the least likely to raise suspicion when going through airport security, This is because, unlike other options, the climbing chalk is stored in liquid form, which drugs are far less likely to be stored in.
As liquid chalk looks similar to hand sanitiser, there are unlikely to be many questions asked. This will also make it easier to take your own, homemade climbing chalk in a small bottle with you.
To be absolutely above suspicion, you should take a sealed, branded bottle of liquid chalk with you, but this is unlikely to be necessary.
How Much Climbing Chalk Can You Take On A Plane?
The amount of climbing chalk you can take on a plane depends on the type of climbing chalk you are taking. The difference is mainly between liquid and non-liquid chalk.
Powdered Chalk/Chalk Block
For powdered chalk, you don’t really need to worry about how much you take as there is no particular limit. This is confirmed by the TSA below:
No worries, Kyle. Rock climbing chalk is allowed in carry-on bags with no quantity limitations or packing requirements.
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) August 11, 2019
One this you should consider is how much will look like too much climbing chalk, particularly if you are planning to carry it in your own labelled bags vs. branded bags. Many people report having little to no problem carrying around 350g of climbing chalk (12oz).
Liquid Chalk
With liquid climbing chalk, you can still carry as much as you like, but you will need to make considerations for the maximum amount of liquid you are allowed to carry in any one container in your hand luggage/carry-on
The UK government has the following to say about liquids on planes:
Liquids in containers larger than 100ml generally cannot go through security even if the container is only part full.
Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This means that for your hand luggage, you could pack 3 x 100ml of liquid chalk and be ok.
For your checked luggage, there is no real limit to the amount of liquid chalk you can take.
Recommendations For Travelling With Climbers Chalk Hassle Free
If you are really keen to take your climbing chalk with you next time you fly, here are my recommendations for how to do it with the least hassle:
Powdered Chalk
- Try and carry your climbing chalk sealed, in the original packaging – This should speed up the process of checking the chalk and make it easy for airport security to recognise what it is.
- For an easy life through security, pack inside off your checked luggage – This will stop you having to answer awkward questions when passing through the security barriers at the airport with your carry-on bag.
- If not checking in a bag or to avoid having your checked bag searched, put the chalk through the scanner separate to your carry-on – If you are anything like me, your luggage is packed in a very specific way, there is nothing worse than having your whole bag searched because of one item. Put the climbing chalk through separately in the loose items tray to avoid a full carry-on bag search. It also shows you have nothing to hide as well.
Liquid Chalk
- Put any liquid chalk into your checked luggage – This will allow you to easily carry more than the 100ml limit on liquids on carry-on luggage.
- If not checking in a bag or to avoid having your checked bag searched, put the chalk through the scanner separate to your carry-on – This will most likely be a requirement, depending on the airport (I have found Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam never ask for liquids to be removed from carry-on bags). It shows that you aren’t trying to hide anything and show avoid you having to have your carry-on bag emptied.
Can I Take All My Climbing Gear On A Plane?
Now we are comfortable that we can take our climbing chalk on the flight with us, what about our other climbing gear, such as ropes, carabiners and quickdraws. Well the TSA has answered this question and suggest the following:
Generally, carabineers, chalk and quick draws are allowed in carry-on bags. However, it’s recommended that you place any items you’re concerned may not be allowed through the security checkpoint in a checked bag.
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) May 17, 2019
So from the above, we can see that it is fine to take these items with you. Based on the advice below, ideally, you should put them in your checked luggage as this will avoid awkward conversations at airport security and appear less suspicious.
Summary
So now you know, you can take climbing chalk on a plane with you. You should still try and do everything you can to make the job of airport security as simple as possible, so try and make it obvious what it is you are carrying.
If you liked this guide, please share it on Pinterest. Also, please check out our other guides to all things outdoors.
Happy climbing
