Visiting family and friends often means transporting gifts, especially if you’re traveling for the holidays. Your first instinct might be to save time at your destination by wrapping gifts before you travel. While many wrapped gifts make it through security with no problems, TSA agents may choose to inspect wrapped items, destroying your beautiful wrapping job in the process. Here’s some advice on how to pack a gift with wrapping paper for travel — including some TSA-friendly ways to pack gifts.
Tips for taking gifts through TSA
Wrap Gifts at Your Destination
Avoid taking wrapped gifts through TSA security. Wrapped gifts will be subject to scrutiny and may be opened for inspection. Pack any wrapped gifts in your checked baggage.
Check the TSA What Can I Bring List
All carry-on gifts must meet TSA guidelines. Items such as baseball bats and toy weapons, for instance, are prohibited. Check the TSA’s What Can I Bring Listto determine if your gift should be packed in carry-on or checked.
Pack Fragile Gifts Carefully
If you’re packing fragile gifts in your carry-on, it’s best to transport them in their original packaging. If this is not possible, wrap them in clothing or bubble wrap, but not so tightly TSA agents will have difficulty inspecting them. Packing cubes are great for packing clothing around fragile items.
Use Your Personal Item
Pack delicate gifts in your personal item, so you can keep the fragile gift with you if you have to check your carry-on.
Think Small
Gift cards, event tickets, and gift subscriptions are easy to pack and transport and won’t slow you down in the security line. If you choose to transport small gifts of this nature, designate a pocket on your carry-on so they don't get lost among your carry-on’s other content.
Order Online
You can avoid transporting gifts altogether by ordering online and shipping the gift to your destination. This option is ideal if you prefer to travel light.
Double-Check Your Carry-on Weight
Pack your carry-on with gifts in advance and check that your bag meets the airline's weight and size restrictions. If the bag is too big or heavy, you may have to check it at the gate.
Consider Hard-Shell Carry-On Bags
If you want to give your gifts a little added protection, consider using hard-shell carry-on luggage like the Platinum® Elite Carry-On Hardside Spinner.
How to Pack a Gift
To avoid damage during transit, pack gifts as securely as possible. Pack the bottom of your bag with soft clothing such as sweaters and pajamas, then pack gifts snugly in the center of your bag. Add your remaining clothing to fill gaps between gifts (socks and underwear work well as fillers for small spaces), and pack your remaining clothing on top of your gifts. If your bag has interior straps, use them to keep your packed items secure.
If packing fragile items, consider using a hard-side suitcase for extra protection. A TSA-approved lock helps prevent damage to the bag if a TSA agent needs to inspect your gifts.
How to Pack a Wrapped Gift (and When Not to)
The TSA does allow you to travel with wrapped gifts, but the gift will be unwrapped if an agent needs to inspect it. During peak holiday travel times, be mindful that the agent won’t rewrap presents and certainly won’t do as excellent a wrapping job as you did.
That said, you have a few options for traveling with wrapped gifts. The first and most expensive option is to mail the gifts to your destination, so they avoid airport security altogether. Another option is to pack your presents, but wrap them after your journey. While you’ll lose a little time at your destination, you won’t experience delays in the TSA line.
Another alternative is to pack gifts in gift bags, which agents can easily access. Bring along some tissue paper to add to the bag at your destination or to add extra protection to the gift once you’re through security. Travel insurance offers added protection for expensive, fragile gifts.
How to Pack Wrapping Paper
If you choose to wrap your gifts when you reach your destination, you will need wrapping paper. If you’ve got the time and energy to hit the stores for wrapping paper after your trip, great!
Knowing how to pack wrapping paper protects it from damage during your flight. A wrapping paper roll is hollow and easily crushed in your suitcase, so avoid tossing the roll unprotected. Instead, cut the wrapping paper to the size you need for your gifts. Write the name of each gift on the inside of the paper. Cut two pieces of cardboard to an appropriate size, lay your pre-cut gift wrap on one, cover the wrap with the second piece of cardboard, and tape the two pieces together. Pack the cardboard in your bag snugly, and your wrapping paper will be ready when you unpack your suitcase!
