Every month, between 90,000 and 100,000 items are left at TSA security checkpoints, according to the Transportation Security Administration. While some items are reunited with their owners, many are never claimed. To help travelers avoid becoming part of that statistic, security and travel experts share the top items to keep out of TSA bins.
Wallets and Cash
Emptying pockets is a necessity at checkpoints, but wallets and cash should never go into a bin. In 2024, passengers left behind nearly $1 million in combined U.S. and foreign currency. Instead, place coins and bills into your wallet, then secure the wallet inside your carry-on bag. If you do lose money, the government deposits it into a fund for airport security improvements.
Passports and IDs
After flashing your ID at the TSA agent, it's easy to toss it into a bin. But forgetting it can derail your trip. Ed Burnett, former head of security and global fraud investigations at UPS and current chief of security at Cloudastructure, advises putting IDs back in your bag before the X-ray machine.
Phones
Phones are prime targets for theft. “TSA lines are the number one location for stolen smartphones,” Burnett said. Even if you don't lose it to theft, leaving it behind is common. Always stow your phone in your bag before screening.
Small Valuables Like Watches and Jewelry
“Small items can easily slide under the bin’s corners, fall through the conveyor belt rollers or get knocked out by another passenger’s heavy bag,” Burnett explained. Keep watches and jewelry in a pouch inside your bag to prevent loss or damage.
Loose Lithium Batteries and Power Banks
Spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks pose a fire risk if they short-circuit against metal objects in a bin. Burnett stresses they must remain inside your carry-on luggage, never loose in a bin.
Flimsy Plastic Bags for Toiletries
Zip-lock bags are not designed for travel and can leak or split. Meredith Brace Sloss, founder of Wanderous, recommends using a TSA-compliant, reusable toiletry bag that is structured and leak-resistant.
Headphones, Glasses, and Neck Pillows
TSA bins are among the germiest places in airports, according to a study in an infectious disease journal. Christine Phillips, founder of BonVoyage Christine, advises against placing items that touch your skin in the bin. “I always stick them in my backpack or purse and close my bag before putting my bag in the bin,” she said.
To avoid losing items, Burnett suggests pre-packing for security while in line. “The TSA bin should be for jackets, larger electronics and bags, not your whole personality in loose pieces.” If you do lose an item, contact TSA Lost and Found via an online form, but proactive prevention is best.
