What this guide covers
- For smoking lighters and matches, you can carry only one small item, on your person, on board
- They cannot go in checked baggage
- Types that are not allowed in carry-on or checked baggage
1. Lighters and matches for smoking
You can carry only one small, portable item from the following, on your person, on board. They cannot go in checked baggage.
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Liquefied gas lighters (disposable, refillable) | Up to 1 (on your person) | Not allowed |
| Oil lighters (with absorbent cotton) | Up to 1 (on your person) | Not allowed |
| Electronic lighters (electric heating type, plasma type) | Up to 1 (on your person; conditions below) | Not allowed |
| Safety matches | Up to 1 (on your person) | Not allowed |
| Oil lighters without absorbent cotton (tank lighters) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Strike-anywhere matches | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
2. Conditions for battery-powered electronic lighters
- Lithium metal batteries: 2g lithium content or less; lithium ion batteries: 100Wh or less
- Protect spare batteries against short circuits, for example by covering the terminals
- Do not recharge them on board
- Take measures to prevent accidental activation of the heating element
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
3. Ignition devices not for smoking, fuel and more
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition devices not for smoking (gas; disposable, refillable) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Ignition devices not for smoking (oil) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Lighter fuel (gas, oil) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Fire starters, metal matches, flints and flint strikers | Allowed | Allowed |
| Lighters shaped like a Swiss army knife or a shuriken | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Items shaped like a Swiss army knife or a shuriken cannot be carried on board because of their shape. Such lighters also cannot be checked.
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
Some airlines have stricter rules. On international flights, rules of other countries' authorities may also apply.