Hold baggage

How many suitcases are you permitted to bring as hold baggage? This is determined by your airline. They also stipulate the maximum size and weight of your suitcases. Check your ticket or ask your airline or travel agency precisely what you are permitted to bring with you.

Regardless of how many suitcases, bags or luggage items you bring or their combined weight, no single item is permitted to weigh more than 32 kg.

Fragile gifts or souvenirs?  Please pack those fragile items carefully. 

• Wrap bottles containing liquids in a separate, sealed plastic bag. This will prevent the contents from spilling onto your belongings should the bottle break. 

• Notify the check-in staff that your baggage contains fragile items. Your baggage will subsequently receive the appropriate label.

Or check out these services to help you out: 

All available luggage services at Brussels Airport

According to aviation guidelines, certain items are strictly prohibited on board an aircraft. Thus they are never permitted in hold baggage.

• Prohibited firearms (according to the Weapons Act of 9th June 2006)
• Gases, including CO2 cartridges, of more than 28g (= 50ml). You are permitted to take up to 4 cartridges of up to 28g per person. However, you must request prior permission from your airline.
• Explosives and incendiary substances and devices including, blasting caps, detonators and fuses, fireworks, other pyrothechnics, smoke-generating canisters, smoke-generating cartridges, gunpowder, dynamite, plastic explosives
• Large quantities of spray cans
• Explosive and highly flammable liquids or solids, such as detonators, explosives, turpentine, paint thinner
• Chemical and toxic substances, acids, corrosives, bleaching agents
• Hazardous products
• Toxic and infectious substances
• Oxidising agents or organic peroxides
• Radioactive material
• Corrosive material

The following items are prohibited in hand baggage, but permitted in hold baggage.

• Liquids and gels, such as drinks, perfumes, creams, lotions, toothpaste, syrup, mascara, lipstick, deodorant in individual packaging of more than 100ml
• Liquids and gels such as drinks, perfumes, creams, lotions, toothpaste, syrup, mascara, lipstick, deodorant of more than the total amount permitted in hand baggage (1 litre). Read here more on liquid and gels. 
• Replica firearms, toy guns, devices that discharge projectiles (e.g. staple gun), stunning devices
• Sharp or pointed objects such as scissors, knives, ski poles, pointed walking sticks, darts
• Blunt objects such as golf clubs, baseball bats, hockey sticks, billiard cues, clubs, heavy tools, martial arts equipment
• Handcuffs, boomerangs, whips, fishing rods, ice skates, shock absorbers, and tools such as crowbars, saws, drills, chisels
• Workmen’s tools including saws, drills, nail guns

All hold baggage is screened for the presence of hazardous or prohibited products or objects. Should prohibited or hazardous goods be detected during hold baggage screening, then Brussels Airport Security may open your hold baggage according to EU Regulation EU 300/2008.

Your baggage is opened in your presence

You are usually present when your baggage is opened: this is known as confronting the passenger with their baggage. You will immediately be informed why your baggage underwent an additional security check.

Your baggage is opened without your presence

It is sometimes not possible to confront the passenger with their baggage, such as when the baggage arrives late for example. In this case the Chief Security Inspector at Brussels Airport opens the baggage in the presence of the security staff supervisor. If the baggage contains a prohibited item, then it will be removed. Upon arrival at your destination, you will find a three-language info document with the registration number in your baggage. In this case you will not know that your baggage was opened until you reclaim it upon arrival.

Pay extra attention to your electronic devices.

Devices operating on lithium batteries: in the cabin

Portable electronic devices operating on lithium batteries should preferably be taken with you into the cabin. Either carry them with you or place them into your hand baggage. This enables the crew to intervene quickly should an incident occur with such a device.

Check the exact rules about devices operating on lithium batteries with your airline.

Electronic devices in hold baggage: switching off and protecting them

Portable electronic devices in your hold baggage must be completely switched off and properly protected to prevent them from being accidentally switched on.

Take care to:

• Deactivate all applications, alarms or preconfigured settings that can switch the device on or off.
• Protect the device against damage using suitable packaging, a protective cover or by placing it in a hard suitcase with sufficient shock absorption (e.g. clothing).

Please note! Hoverboards are not normally permitted on board. Neither in your hand baggage, nor in your hold baggage! Always check the information on hazardous goods from your airline beforehand.

Stipulations for travelling with a firearm

In accordance with ICAO and IATA regulations, firearms and ammunition may be transported as hold baggage under certain conditions. The airline additionally imposes certain conditions. Travelling with a firearm may be permitted for sporting or hunting purposes for example. A list of prohibited firearms can be found here.

Procedure for travelling with a firearm

Travelling with a firearm?

• Registration: register your weapon at the Brussels Airport Security building prior to entering the airport building.
• Where: the Brussels Airport Security building is located opposite the Departures Hall, next to the Sheraton hotel.
• Opening hours: 24/7
• Important: contact your airline in advance for further details on the relevant procedures and required authorisations for the transport of weapons and ammunition.

• Ensure that the exterior of each suitcase bears a label displaying your name at a minimum.
• Place your name and address inside your suitcase as an additional precaution.

This makes your suitcase easy to identify should you lose it.

Keep your baggage with you at all times. Baggage that is left unattended in the airport building will be removed and potentially destroyed.