Airline Baggage and Security Guidelines for Travel to Brazil

Checked Baggage Limitations

Passengers are limited to two checked bags on most airlines.  More may cause you to be charged an extra fee.  The example information below is from the Delta Airlines website, but check with your own airline website just to be safe:

You can check two bags per passenger free of charge.

Each bag must: weigh 50 pounds (22.5 kg) or less. Bags may not exceed 62 inches when you total length plus width plus height. Exceptions:

Passengers traveling to or from Key West, Florida are limited to one checked bag. The free weight allowance is 70 pounds (32 kg) for tickets purchased in Brazil. With the exception of original factory-sealed boxes that will be accepted on a standby basis, we do not accept boxes as checked baggage to Central or South America (except Brazil, Mexico, and Chile) at any time of the year.

If you have a bag that exceeds these allowances, see Excess Baggage, a fee will apply.

Some packages, sporting goods, musical instruments, and fragile or bulky items may require special handling and additional fees..

When you are packing for Brazil, be sure to plan ahead about how you will return with those items that you purchase.  If you go with a completely packed suitcase, there won’t be room on the return unless you are leaving stuff there or will consume items.  It is better to take 2 loosely packed suitcases rather than one very heavy one.  As Delta states above, some airlines still allow a box to be checked in lieu of a suitcase.  If you decide to travel to Brazil with only one suitcase, a packed box is a convenient way for you to bring back your purchased items.

 If you are taking a Brazilian Domestic Flight as well, you should know that the Brazilian carrier’s limits may be different.  For example, on Varig, you are allowed two carry-on items plus a purse or business item like a laptop, except if you are in economy class, you can only do 1 carry-on plus the business item.  They also have a complicated system of baggage weight if you are not connecting internationally with any airline, that is, you are traveling strictly within Brazil on a given trip.  That limits your total checked baggage weight to 44 lbs to 88 lbs depending on your class of service.  Check with your airline just to be sure.

The Transportation Safety Administration now requires all checked baggage to be unlocked or have the types of locks that have been pre-approved by TSA (in other words, they have a master key).  If you forget and they are suspicious of your luggage, they will break the locks on your luggage or possibly not transport it.  Luggage straps are a good idea as insurance against your baggage popping open in transit and can also help you to identify your bags from all of those that look exactly alike.  Get the kind that do NOT have a combination lock.

Carry-On Bag Limitations

IMPORTANT!  There are many, many restrictions with regard to carry-on baggage.  As of September 26, 2006, travelers may now carry through security checkpoints ONLY travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag.   Other liquids, creams, and gels have been added to the long list of items that are prohibited in the passenger cabin and therefore in your carry-on baggage.  Examples include:  scissors, knives of any size, mace, nail files, letter openers, tools, most aerosols, pointed objects, razors, etc.  Note that these include some items that are normally found in shaving or makeup kits, which should be in checked baggage.  Check with your airline and the Transportation Security Administration at www.tsa.gov to make certain you understand the latest restrictions.

It is pretty clear that airlines do not like carry-on bags, especially on international flights.  They are inconvenient, slow the loading process, and represent security hazards.  I strongly suggest that you take as little as possible as carry-on.  It will slow you down every step along the way, especially at security checkpoints.  Finding space overhead can be a problem and you don’t want this under the seat in front of you for the long flight. You might even consider taking only one carry-on bag for each two passengers.  Still, for certain expensive or fragile items, carry-on is the only way to go.  See our other suggestions and tips about packing. 

You will be allowed only one carryon plus a purse or briefcase/computer case on most international flights.  If you are taking a domestic Brazil flight as well, your total baggage weight (checked and carry-on) may also be limited on weight.   Again, the following information is from the Delta website.  Check with your carrier just to be sure:

You can carry on one bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as it:

Weighs less than 40 pounds (18 kg).
Does not exceed 45 inches when you total length plus width plus height.
Fits easily into our SizeWise® unit (approximately 22"x14"x9").
Fits in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.

Here are some examples of personal items:

Male or female purse
Briefcase
Laptop computer (All laptop/computers must be carried aboard and cannot be checked. For information about Delta's battery-saving system for laptops, visit Connectivity)
Camera case
Diaper bag
Items of a similar or smaller size to those listed above, such as Portable Electronic Devices.

These additional items are okay to carry on and don't count towards your allowance:
Food items for immediate consumption (but NOT liquids)
Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, provided passenger is dependent on them
One box or bag of duty free merchandise.  Liquids have special limitations.  See the www.tsa.gov website for details.  Also, see our advice about liquor purchases under What to Take. 
A coat or jacket
An umbrella
One item of reading material
There may be more limits to carry-on baggage based on available space and additional restrictions on certain flights.

Security Tips

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last five years, you understand that airline security is a big deal today and there are many restrictions regarding what you can carry on to the plane.  The Transportation Safety Administration has a website at www.tsa.gov that is full of helpful information and advice.  Here are a couple more from Rio Holiday.

• Allow plenty of extra time to go through security.  If you have not traveled recently, you may not appreciate the long lines and the confusion of your fellow travelers.  You should arrive at the ticket counter at least two hours in advance of your departure for an international flight.

• You will need to remove your shoes during security screening.  Be sure to wear socks that don't have holes!

• Don’t wear jewelry or metal accessories if you can help it or you will end up in the slow security line at the airports.  This is especially true if you can’t remove the item.  Metal in almost anything will set off the alarm and require a metal inspection.  Examples include:  belts, shoes, jewelry, hats, jeans, pens, pencils, and even the foil on breath mints or gum.   If you can put these items in your carry on (assuming they are permitted in the passenger cabin), it will save check-in time.  If you have a lot of piercings, be sure to leave early for the airport.