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Traveling with flow toys for the first time can feel a little intimidating. To us they’re performance gear, tools, and expensive props. To airport security, they might just look… unusual.
The good news is we’ve successfully traveled with fire, LED, and daytime props for years without any major issues. A little preparation goes a long way.
While many airports follow rules similar to TSA in the United States, every country and airline has the final say. For example, we’ve traveled through TSA countless times with certain power banks, only to have one confiscated in Thailand because its battery capacity exceeded their limit. We’ve also heard from performers that bringing fire props into certain countries, particularly parts of the Middle East, can range from difficult to nearly impossible.
Before flying internationally, it’s always worth checking your airline’s policies and your departure and destination airport’s security guidelines. Better yet, reach out to local flow artists through Facebook groups or online flow communities. They often know about country-specific rules, customs, or common issues that can save you a headache at the airport.
Before You Pack
Before you even think about heading to the airport, take a few minutes to prepare your props.
Never travel with fuel. This one should go without saying, but we’re saying it anyway.
If you’re bringing fire props, make sure they’ve been aired out completely so there’s absolutely no fuel smell remaining. Any lingering fuel odor is something you don’t want to explain to airport security.
Once they’re fully aired out, we like to put wick covers on the heads or wrap the wicks in plastic wrap before packing them away. This helps keep everything clean while also preventing the wicks from picking up odors during travel. We also like to wipe off all soot. Rubbing alcohol works wonders for cleaning all of our props.
If you’re checking fragile props, wrap them in bubble wrap. Unfortunately, “Fragile” stickers don’t always mean your luggage gets treated gently.
Finally, we highly recommend printing a small sheet with your contact information and a short description like:
Circus Juggling Equipment
We usually print two or three copies and place them in different compartments of our luggage in case one gets lost during inspection. If security opens your bag, they’ll immediately have a better idea of what they’re looking at.
Checked Luggage
If your props are too large to fit in a carry-on, checking them is usually the way to go.
Many performers travel with full-length staffs inside ski bags or surfboard bags with plenty of bubble wrap for protection.
This is one of the reasons we love collapsible dragon staffs and contact staffs. They fit inside most standard checked suitcases, making travel dramatically easier.
When checking luggage, we generally label everything as circus juggling equipment rather than “fire props,” “LED props,” or “flow toys.” Most airport employees know what juggling equipment is. Far fewer know what a flow prop is, and mentioning fire when you don’t have to rarely makes life easier.
Even when checking larger props, we still like to keep smaller hardware, spokes, and tools in our carry-on whenever possible. Checked bags get searched, moved around, and occasionally lose small parts.
Carry-On Luggage
Whenever possible, we prefer carrying smaller flow props with us. Knowing your gear is safely sitting in your backpack or roller bag gives a lot more peace of mind than hoping your checked luggage arrives with everything intact.
If your LED props contain installed lithium-ion batteries, they generally need to travel in your carry-on. If the batteries are removable, remove them before your flight and carry the batteries with you while checking the prop itself.
This can get a little tricky with full-length LED staffs that don’t have removable batteries. If that’s the case, it’s worth checking with the manufacturer to see if there’s a way to remove the electronics before flying. Power banks should also travel in your carry-on.
Some LED props won’t fit neatly inside your bag, so you may end up carrying them through the airport by hand. Security is usually pretty relaxed about this, but if airline staff ask questions at the gate, simply explain that the prop contains lithium-ion batteries and therefore couldn’t be checked.
It might not make for the most comfortable flight, especially if you’re sharing a row with a hoop, but sometimes that’s the price of traveling with cool toys.
Going Through Security
If security asks what you’re carrying, we simply tell them it’s circus juggling equipment. In our experience, that’s usually enough.
If someone is still unsure, you can always offer to briefly demonstrate how the prop works. Seeing a poi or juggling prop in action often clears up the confusion much faster than trying to explain what “flow arts” means.
Honestly, we’ve almost never been stopped because of our flow toys.
It’s usually the deodorant or shampoo that gets us.
Flying with Fire Props
Fire props deserve a few extra considerations. Again, make absolutely sure there’s no fuel smell before packing anything. Leave all fuel at home.
If you’re bringing lighters, keep in mind that many airlines allow basic disposable lighters in carry-on luggage, but torch lighters and refillable Zippo-style lighters are often subject to additional restrictions depending on the airline or country. It’s worth checking before you fly.
Final Thoughts
Over the years we’ve successfully traveled with fire props, LED props, daytime props, fueling funnels, fueling basters, safety blankets, spokes, tools, and all sorts of other flow gear.
The biggest things to remember are:
- Never travel with fuel.
- Air out fire props completely before packing.
- Carry lithium-ion batteries in your carry-on whenever required.
- Protect fragile props with bubble wrap.
- Label your equipment as circus juggling equipment.
- Check the rules for your airline and destination before you fly.
With a little preparation, traveling with flow toys is usually much easier than people expect.
Safe travels, and we’ll see you at the next flow jam.
