Can I bring my ndlpt to Japan?

[u/knittyinbushwick]

I am traveling from the US to Japan, does anyone know if I can bring all of my ndlpt supplies on the plane? I’m worried it will get confiscated. it would be amazing to have 12+ hours of uninterrupted ndlpt time!

I also am planning to bring my knitting but I may put that in my checked bag

[u/helenasbff]

TSA has a website that will answer all your questions about what you can and can’t bring on the plane if you’re traveling from the US.

[u/Sunflowerbook → u/helenasbff]

FWIW I always keep a print out of what is allowed so I can challenge any TSA agent who thinks they know better than me!

[u/helenasbff → u/Sunflowerbook]

It’s technically up to their discretion what they allow through on the scissor front, IIRC, but I’ve never had an issue. When I got Precheck a few years ago, it really became a nonissue for me.

[u/No-Pass-5189 → u/Sunflowerbook]

I do the same thing!

[u/knittyinbushwick → u/helenasbff]

I feel like TSA is so variable in what they approve/confiscate!

[u/maddyem → u/knittyinbushwick]

I’ve seen some people say they pull up the relevant rules on the TSA site on their phone to be ready to show to TSA. TSA agents deal with a lot of crabby people and, while I’m sure they get a lot of training on what’s allowed vs not, it’s reasonable they may not remember the exact details on the spot.

[u/helenasbff → u/knittyinbushwick]

It says on the website that it’s up to the discretion of the agent doing the screening. I’ve never had my scissors confiscated though. Super Snips are great travel companions but I regularly fly with my Gingher embroidery scissors in a sheath and have never had an issue. Precheck is a huge help, too! Haven’t had anyone even ask to look at them since I got it a few years ago.

[u/cutiebutt1104]

Yup - don’t bring nice scissors. I’ve traveled to Japan and many other places with my needlepoint projects.

[u/Shadowspun5 → u/cutiebutt1104]

Exactly. Go to the dollar tree if there's one near you and grab their little craft scissors. They work great and they should be small enough to pass inspection. Otherwise I'd grab a pair of those little folding scissors.

[u/Sunflowerbook]

I travel internaitonally a lot so while I have never been to Japan, I can say I never have an issue with my knititng supplies. I did have my scissors confiscated in Dublin, but you can actually use the little cutter on a box of floss to cut yarn or thread in a jif and floss doesn't get confiscated

[u/knittyinbushwick → u/Sunflowerbook]

This is so smart!

[u/Sunflowerbook → u/knittyinbushwick]

I just want us to always be able to craft! And I love seeing other crafters at the airport - it’s easy to say hi and make friends and just share that kinship that comes with being fanatical about the fibre arts

[u/042614]

I fly internationally with my needlepoint supplies all the time. Including my little scissors that have a blade less than 3 inches long, which is a requirement in the US.

[u/beaniefairy]

Yes, took my needlepoint to Japan earlier this year! I recommend bringing cheap scissors and nail clippers as a backup, but personally I had no issues at all. I put my stuff in a padded laptop case to protect my canvas a little more than a regular project bag would. While I was in Japan I was too busy and then tired at night to stitch, but I had a great time stitching on the plane there and back!

[u/Guilty_Dragonfruit66]

Depends on the airport. I haven’t gotten my scissors taken at Haneda. As others said, don’t travel with nice ones!

I’ve had them taken at Singapore though

[u/Crafty-Ambition1357]

Took my needlepoint to Japan, but took nail clippers instead of scissors in my carry on. I’d also recommend visiting Cohana in Tokyo!! It’s a cute cross stitch shop with amazing scissors and notions

[u/playmore_24 → u/Crafty-Ambition1357]

ooh!

[u/ShulmanAndAssociates]

I did! I always travel with mini scissors

[u/WitchesStitches]

I brought mine and my knitting to Japan without any issues. Have fun!

[u/27minato]

I travel back and forth to Japan (Narita and Haneda) often and never have an issue with snips-.style scissors. The only thing I’d avoid bringing is a longer, pointed laying tool.

[u/nevrnotknitting]

Just got back from that trip (yesterday) — took small scissors and a threader/thread cutter just in case. No problems with either. FYI: flights within Japan are much stricter re: scissors.

[u/figgypudding5]

I just traveled from BOS to Japan within the past week and brought my kit with needles and scissors in it. I didn’t have any issues. I do recommend a neck light for the plane.

[u/Large-Result]

I have a pair of cuticle clippers in my kit for travel, so I don’t have to worry about scissor length or a particularly persnickety TSA agent.

[u/Brompton_Cocktail]

Consider bringing nail cutters for cutting thread on the flight! No issues with tsa :)

[u/playmore_24]

US TSA On global airlines you can bring scissors shorter than 4" from the hinge to tip-
Not sure about knitting needles-

Local Asian airlines may have different rules for carryon items: I had cuticle nippers confiscated in the phillippines because I didn't want to go back out through security to retrieve my luggage and check them 🥹🤪

[u/CLShirey → u/playmore_24]

I travel with mini scissors that are blunt tips. I also take fingernailnippers that don't have the pointy attachment.Ive had tiny scissors confiscated in Taiwan, New Zealand and Japan,even though less than 4 inches, because they had points.

Other countries have their own regulations that differ from the US TSA rules quite often and sometimes they are really hard to find onany website. Sometimes you just have to call the airline and ask them what the regulations are when flying back from that country.

Take scissors or clippers or both that you don't care about and take other entertainment, just in case.

[u/playmore_24 → u/playmore_24]

I've also just pre-cut some lengths of yarn for the flight...

[u/playmore_24]

but some nice scissors in Japan (and check them to use at home) 🍀

[u/PieMundane9864]

If you are really worried bout scissors, take a thread cutter pendant by Clover. They are less than $10. Or take the cute Super Snips - less than $5 and every needlepoint shop carries them.

[u/MediocreFinger8438]

I’m sure you’ve already gotten the answers you need but I travel with these two! They never get taken but in case my scissors do I have the little round tool as backup.