TSA and Diabetes Supplies: Insulin, Pumps, CGMs and Screening
TSA allows insulin, pumps, CGMs and other diabetes supplies in carry-on and checked bags. Tell the officer before screening starts, put medically necessary liquids in a separate bin, and know you can ask for a pat-down instead of a scanner. Everything here comes from TSA’s own pages, checked 2026-10-22. Rules can change.
At the checkpoint
- Tell the officer first. Say you have diabetes and where your pump, CGM or other device is on your body. You can also hand over a TSA Notification Card or show medical documentation.
- Declare medically necessary liquids, such as insulin, and place them in a separate bin for X-ray screening.
- Choose your screening. You do not have to remove an attached device. You can decline the body scanner and receive a pat-down. Liquids can be tested for explosives; if you do not want them X-rayed or opened, tell the officer, and extra screening will be used.
What TSA says, item by item
| Item | TSA guidance |
|---|---|
| Insulin | Allowed in carry-on and checked bags, with special instructions: declare it and put it in a separate bin |
| Insulin pump or CGM worn on the body | No need to remove it. Tell the officer where it is. Standard lanes: extra screening, including a self pat-down of the device and a trace test. PreCheck: extra screening only if it alarms |
| Pump or CGM removed | May be X-rayed. You can say you do not want X-ray and ask for alternative screening |
| Ice, freezer and gel packs | Allowed frozen, partly frozen or melted, to keep medically necessary items cool; they are screened |
| Medically necessary liquids over 3.4 oz | Allowed in reasonable quantities; declare them; no zip bag needed |
Before you go
- Check your device maker’s advice on X-ray and body scanners. TSA says you can choose a pat-down, and makers differ on what they recommend.
- Keep supplies in your carry-on, not checked luggage, so they stay with you and in a stable temperature. See how to store insulin.
- Contact TSA Cares with questions before you travel. It is listed on the TSA page.
- Flying abroad? Rules differ by country and airline; check both.
Use the diabetes travel checklist to pack, and see insulin cooling cases.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring insulin through airport security?
Yes. TSA lists insulin as allowed in carry-on and checked bags with special instructions: tell the officer you have medically necessary liquids and put them in a separate bin for X-ray screening.
Do I have to take off my insulin pump or CGM?
No. TSA says you do not have to remove a device attached to your body. Tell the officer where it is before screening starts. Attached devices get additional screening, such as a pat-down of the device and a trace test.
Can I refuse the X-ray or body scanner?
Yes. TSA says that if you do not want body scanner screening, you receive a pat-down. A disconnected device can be X-rayed, or you can say you do not want that and alternative screening is used.
Is there a limit on insulin or juice?
The 3.4-ounce liquids rule has an exception for medically necessary liquids, which are allowed in reasonable quantities. Declare them at the checkpoint. Final decisions rest with the TSA officer.
Can ice packs go through?
Yes. TSA says ice packs, freezer packs or gel packs can be presented frozen, partially frozen or melted to keep medically necessary items cool, and they must still be screened.
Do I need a doctor’s letter?
TSA says you may use its notification card, tell the officer, or show medical documentation to say what you have. A letter is optional but can help. International rules vary.
Information only, not medical advice. Your care team may set different targets for you, and only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. See our medical disclaimer.
Sources
- TSA Cares: Disabilities and Medical Conditions (checked 2026-10-22)
- TSA: What Can I Bring? Insulin (page updated March 29, 2023; checked 2026-10-22)
Last reviewed: by the Diabetes Blogs editorial team. Information only, not medical advice.
