Considerations when Traveling with Sex Toys
Ah, summer! Between slowly emerging from the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic and summer vacation time, it may be time for many people to start thinking about traveling again soon! If you’re planning your first romantic getaway in over a year with your lover, or even a solo jaunt across the country, you may want to pack your favorite adult toys. Here are some important things to keep in mind before you’re ready to get your jet-setting jollies.
Whether you’re soaring solo to Seattle for a work trip or to Hawaii for your honeymoon, the possibility of traveling with sex toys may be on your mind. Whether you’re traveling on your own or as a couple, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to pack along a little portable pleasure provider or two. There are some tips and considerations to think about, though, especially if you’re flying to your destination.
Rules differ depending on where you’re traveling. In the US, there are no federal laws against traveling with sex toys, which can essentially be treated just like any other handheld, battery-operated devices. See the breakdown below of where to pack different types of toys to avoid any trouble. If you’re traveling abroad, however, do a little extra research on the laws of the countries you’ll be visiting. Sex toys are more heavily restricted and even outright illegal in certain countries. We don’t want your first vacation memory to be of getting grilled by a cross customs agent about that realistic dildo in your checked bag.
1. Be honest.
If TSA screeners ask you what is in your bag, you have to tell the truth. Doing anything but will arouse suspicion, and that is NOT what you want to be arousing with your sex toys. The bonus to your honesty is that if you’re straightforward, they really have no reason to pull you aside. If they see your toy on the X-ray and ask what it is, honesty is the best policy. If you can’t bring yourself to say sex toy or vibrator, try the terms “marital aid”, “adult device”, or “personal massager” to get your point across.
2. Take the batteries out.
It’s the classic nightmare scenario: you’re in line, surrounded by people, and all of a sudden, your baggage starts buzzing. If your vibrating toy has removable batteries, avoid the hassle and keep your batteries stored separately. This applies to toys in your checked luggage as well.
If your toy is rechargeable and doesn’t have removable batteries, run it until the charge dies before packing it for your trip and simply take the charger with you. Alternatively…
3. Use the lock feature.
Many rechargeable sex toys on the nicer end of things now boast a Travel Lock feature, which is perfect for toys on the go! With the lock feature engaged, your toy won’t turn on no matter how many times the buttons might be accidentally pressed in your luggage. Learn how to turn your toy’s travel lock on and off in the instruction manual that came with it. If you’ve misplaced your manual, you may be able to find the directions online with a little clever Googling.
4. Double-check TSA guidelines & laws of destination.
Large toys, sharp items, and liquids/gels in large containers may be banned from carry on bags, but can be safely stowed in checked luggage. When in doubt, it will be easier to keep your private business private by checking your pleasure products. See our handy breakdown at the bottom of this post for some of the sex toys you might want to look into more before you pack.
If you’re traveling to somewhere outside of the U.S., remember to also research the laws of your destination country. Some locales have laws so strict, you’ll be better off leaving your toys at home for this trip. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Vietnam, the Maldives, Malaysia and more all have penal codes which ban tourists from bringing pornography, phallic objects, and sex toys into the country. You might miss your toys but it will be better than a trip to jail. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?
5. Pack your sex toys in clear plastic bags.
Even your checked baggage is subject to being randomly rifled through for a search. Make it easier on yourself and the TSA screeners by storing your sex toys in clear plastic bags. This way, they don’t have to touch the toy itself but can still clearly make out what it is. If a TSA screener is going through your bag and they can easily see the outline of the Aqua Bunny Rabbit Vibrator or the Womanizer Premium, there’s no opening of other bags or pouches necessary. You’ll both appreciate the fact that they’re not digging through all of your things only to pull out your unprotected vibrator.
6. Don’t forget about the lube.
Sex toys and lube go hand in hand to provide the best experience. If you’re traveling with sex toys, you should probably have some lube on hand, too. If it’s going in your carry-on bag, follow the 3-1-1- rule – liquids have to be be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container, in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag, with 1 bag per passenger, to be placed in the screening bin.
Not wanting to bother with any other tiny toiletries in your carry-on bag? Sample-sized foil packets or small foil pouches of lube or enhancements may be an easier option, or you can pack a larger bottle of lube in your checked bag.
7. Keep it small and discreet.
Another thing to consider when traveling with sex toys is the size of the toy. The TSA rules state that any “hand tools” longer than 7 inches in length must be packed in checked bags. Avoid this problem by traveling with small and discreet vibrators like the Fingerific Bullet, Inya’s The Rose clitoral suction toy, or the We-Vibe Moxie Panty Vibrator (Hint: This is a great toy to pack along on those lonely business trips – your partner can tease and please you from across the country using the app!)
8. There’s always the mail.
If you’re still worried about traveling with sex toys, and you plan on being away from home and in the same location for some time, you can always put the postal system to work and mail yourself your sex toys. The same trick works if you acquire any new toys on your trip…if you don’t want the hassle of packing them for travel, box them up and mail them to your home before you hit the friendly skies.
“Where should I pack that??” :
There are many different varieties of sex toys out there that you may want to pack along on your next erotic adventure, so we’ve put together a handy little breakdown of what’s okay to pack where. It’s still a good idea to check the current TSA guidelines yourself to confirm their exact language and terminology of what is & is not allowed, and where it should go.
Carry-On Bag:
– Dildos, vibrators, and sex toys that are less than 7 inches in length.
– Lubes/gels following the 3-1-1 rule.
Checked Bag:
– Anything sharp, like Scandal Pleasure Wheel.
– Anything that resembles a club or baton.
– Any toys longer than 7 inches in length, like the Evolved Sweet Spot g-spot vibrator or the Coupled Love Double Sided Dildo.
Use your best judgment:
– Planning some kinky fun for your hotel room? You may be able to get away with some soft cuffs and short restraints, tiny riding crops, or small paddles in your carry-on bag. Since any of these items could potentially be misconstrued as weapons, though, you’re likely better off packing them away in your checked bag.
