Forums > Help! > Taking poi on the airplane? customs requirements?
Login/Join to ParticipateGOLD Member
Member
8 posts
Location: CT, USA
Member
8 posts
Location: CT, USA
Posted:
Anyone know if it's legal to take used wicks on an airplane? I know you can't take lanterns or other things that use white gas, even if they are empty. Anyone have experience with taking your poi on flights? through customs? Can you take them in carry-on or do you have to check them?
Also, any ideas on flying with a staff(unfortunately not one of the three piece ones that break down)?
Thanks
Customs, Planes, Fuel
Anyone know if it's legal to take used wicks on an airplane? I know you can't take lanterns or other things that use white gas, even if they are empty. Anyone have experience with taking your poi on flights? through customs? Can you take them in carry-on or do you have to check them?
Also, any ideas on flying with a staff(unfortunately not one of the three piece ones that break down)?
Thanks
Customs, Planes, Fuel
GOLD Member
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Posted:
I'm flying to new york from ireland with my stix on wednesday. I rang the cargo people that work for the airline im flying on and they reckon there will be no problem as long as they are probably wrapped and burried in my checked in luggage. I do have a break down staff though and this will make it easier. If worst come to worst, i'll just ditch the wicks and bring the stix.
If you staff doesnt break down i'd recomend packaging it in a big tube, well sealed and the checking it as seperate cargo marked fragile - performance equipment etc. Give the wicks a good burn and dont re dip them, wrap them up in cling film, glad wrap etc to seal kin any smell.
I flew from belfast to cork in ireland last week. they tore apart my hand luggage but never took a second look at the bag i checked in. Which was basicly a pile of kero soaked clothes etc from three days spinning at a festival, a fire ball to speak. or a bomb if your a crazed nutter.
try ringing the airline, ask em, dont tell them your name though.
I'm flying to new york from ireland with my stix on wednesday. I rang the cargo people that work for the airline im flying on and they reckon there will be no problem as long as they are probably wrapped and burried in my checked in luggage. I do have a break down staff though and this will make it easier. If worst come to worst, i'll just ditch the wicks and bring the stix.
If you staff doesnt break down i'd recomend packaging it in a big tube, well sealed and the checking it as seperate cargo marked fragile - performance equipment etc. Give the wicks a good burn and dont re dip them, wrap them up in cling film, glad wrap etc to seal kin any smell.
I flew from belfast to cork in ireland last week. they tore apart my hand luggage but never took a second look at the bag i checked in. Which was basicly a pile of kero soaked clothes etc from three days spinning at a festival, a fire ball to speak. or a bomb if your a crazed nutter.
try ringing the airline, ask em, dont tell them your name though.
Love is the law.
SILVER Member
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Posted:
Please do a search for this. (click on 'search' at the top of the page).
You'll find there's loads of threads about this already.
I would put a link to a few of them, but this is still something I need to learn to do!
But, while I'm here...
Poi- Don't re-dip them after you're last burn.
Put them in a zip lock bag.
Also put in the bag an explanation of what they are (performance equipment), and a photo if possible.
Put them in your checked luggage, not your hand luggage.
Staff- Again, don't re-dip it.
Cover the wicks with plastic (cut up binliners?), and seal with a rubber band.
Again, include an explanation.
Put in a plastic or cardboard tube, mark as 'fragile- performance equipment' (or similar).
Again, put in checked luggage.
juggling balls- Can be put in checked or hand luggage, but be aware that some countries will take them off you. Some places have issues with seeds being brought into the country, and customs can be uptight about not knowing what's inside them.
Happy flying.
Please do a search for this. (click on 'search' at the top of the page).
You'll find there's loads of threads about this already.
I would put a link to a few of them, but this is still something I need to learn to do!
But, while I'm here...
Poi- Don't re-dip them after you're last burn.
Put them in a zip lock bag.
Also put in the bag an explanation of what they are (performance equipment), and a photo if possible.
Put them in your checked luggage, not your hand luggage.
Staff- Again, don't re-dip it.
Cover the wicks with plastic (cut up binliners?), and seal with a rubber band.
Again, include an explanation.
Put in a plastic or cardboard tube, mark as 'fragile- performance equipment' (or similar).
Again, put in checked luggage.
juggling balls- Can be put in checked or hand luggage, but be aware that some countries will take them off you. Some places have issues with seeds being brought into the country, and customs can be uptight about not knowing what's inside them.
Happy flying.
Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.
BRONZE Member
lurker
194 posts
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
lurker
194 posts
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Posted:
Thank you so much for those tips -- I would never have thought to leave a message in the bag with them.
Thank you so much for those tips -- I would never have thought to leave a message in the bag with them.
GOLD Member
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Posted:
So im here!!! And so are My stix!!!
Safe and sound and not a bother.
I'm staying in Brooklyn so PM me and we can hook and and have some firey fun.\
I'm a free agent. will probably be in the little park down beside brooklyn bridge on friday night takin some fire photos's
all are welcome to come join.
hope to see you soon
a
So im here!!! And so are My stix!!!
Safe and sound and not a bother.
I'm staying in Brooklyn so PM me and we can hook and and have some firey fun.\
I'm a free agent. will probably be in the little park down beside brooklyn bridge on friday night takin some fire photos's
all are welcome to come join.
hope to see you soon
a
Love is the law.
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
See! THAT'S what I meant by a 'Mand' thing. You ARE helpful.
Yes, there have been many posts including mine on what trouble I have and haven't got into by flying with poi.
In short, I've never had trouble checking them.
Written by: Mand
Please do a search for this. (click on 'search' at the top of the page).
You'll find there's loads of threads about this already.
I would put a link to a few of them, but this is still something I need to learn to do!
But, while I'm here...
Poi- Don't re-dip them after you're last burn.
Put them in a zip lock bag.
Also put in the bag an explanation of what they are (performance equipment), and a photo if possible.
Put them in your checked luggage, not your hand luggage.
Staff- Again, don't re-dip it.
Cover the wicks with plastic (cut up binliners?), and seal with a rubber band.
Again, include an explanation.
Put in a plastic or cardboard tube, mark as 'fragile- performance equipment' (or similar).
Again, put in checked luggage.
juggling balls- Can be put in checked or hand luggage, but be aware that some countries will take them off you. Some places have issues with seeds being brought into the country, and customs can be uptight about not knowing what's inside them.
Happy flying.
See! THAT'S what I meant by a 'Mand' thing. You ARE helpful.
Yes, there have been many posts including mine on what trouble I have and haven't got into by flying with poi.
In short, I've never had trouble checking them.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
SILVER Member
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Posted:
*scrubs toe into the ground*
awww, you made me blush!
Thanks NYC
Written by: NYC
See! THAT'S what I meant by a 'Mand' thing. You ARE helpful.
*scrubs toe into the ground*
awww, you made me blush!Thanks NYC
Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
She is, isn't she?
And.....for the record? She now knows how to post links in threads too!
She is, isn't she?And.....for the record? She now knows how to post links in threads too!
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
GOLD Member
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Posted:
Dont mind me
Dont mind me
Love is the law.
SILVER Member
member
55 posts
Location: a mountaintop in Colorado, USA
member
55 posts
Location: a mountaintop in Colorado, USA
Posted:
Oven Bags. I'm not sure if they're available everywhere, but they're krinkly plastic and you can put 'em in the oven, with your turkey inside. They're super-stink proof. I flew to Florida, bagged the poi in 2 oven bags and included a note as to what they are... and put them in checked baggage. No problem! Happy travels!
Oven Bags. I'm not sure if they're available everywhere, but they're krinkly plastic and you can put 'em in the oven, with your turkey inside. They're super-stink proof. I flew to Florida, bagged the poi in 2 oven bags and included a note as to what they are... and put them in checked baggage. No problem! Happy travels!
take the schneak-tip
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
I just stuck em in my suitcase. Never had a problem. Flown for years. International and National. As long as you don't take em on the plane with you.
Flying out on Weds... Hope I don't jynx myself.
I just stuck em in my suitcase. Never had a problem. Flown for years. International and National. As long as you don't take em on the plane with you.
Flying out on Weds... Hope I don't jynx myself.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
GOLD Member
veteran
1,508 posts
Location: Out, United Kingdom
veteran
1,508 posts
Location: Out, United Kingdom
Posted:
A good idea is to dissemble your pois and separate the parts, eg put the heads (wrapped up in something like cling film) at the bottom of your luggage, the chains in your hand-luggage and the handles in your pocket
A good idea is to dissemble your pois and separate the parts, eg put the heads (wrapped up in something like cling film) at the bottom of your luggage, the chains in your hand-luggage and the handles in your pocket
AAARRRGGGHHH!!! My giant stick broke!!! In two!!! My stick broke in two!!! 
SILVER Member
Running hippy spinning lemming
15 posts
Location: Scotland
Running hippy spinning lemming
15 posts
Location: Scotland
Posted:
just thought i'd bump this thread
flew with virgin pacific today - perth to melbourne.... i had my used poi with me and had no trouble with them hidden in my checked luggage but i got given a leaflet this time which outlined all the 'dangerous' goods....
it specifically has printed on this leaflet that "fire sticks are never allowed" with a pic of a staff.... i still think that without kevlar they'd be ok but as they attract attention it could be hard to convince someone behind the check in counter who has been told that they cant fly...
just thought i'd share.... it might be a new thing cos if you look at their website fire sticks arnt listed
i'm sure there are still ways and as i said i had no probs with my poi burried in my rucksack
just thought i'd bump this thread
flew with virgin pacific today - perth to melbourne.... i had my used poi with me and had no trouble with them hidden in my checked luggage but i got given a leaflet this time which outlined all the 'dangerous' goods....
it specifically has printed on this leaflet that "fire sticks are never allowed" with a pic of a staff.... i still think that without kevlar they'd be ok but as they attract attention it could be hard to convince someone behind the check in counter who has been told that they cant fly...
just thought i'd share.... it might be a new thing cos if you look at their website fire sticks arnt listed
i'm sure there are still ways and as i said i had no probs with my poi burried in my rucksack
Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering...
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
my boy has flown internationally with huge bags full of fire staffs, poi, juggling clubs.. all used... many times. There's are indeed lots of links about this but to repeat...
We wash the wick bits (and shafts) in hot water and washing up liquid, dry in the sun if there' s time. Wrap in cling film, pack with clothes and stuff, but in huge boogie board looking thing. The bag is so big is has to go through oversized luggage and alsways gets checked with an explosive residue sniffer thing. has so far gotten through no worries every time. If asked, the bag contains sports equipment. Even got a extra allowance last time as if they were skis!
Also we do not ever use kero, but odourless fuels. There are fuels available here which other spinners have even been able to take on planes as they are not classed as hazardous (there are other threads about this too...)
my boy has flown internationally with huge bags full of fire staffs, poi, juggling clubs.. all used... many times. There's are indeed lots of links about this but to repeat...
We wash the wick bits (and shafts) in hot water and washing up liquid, dry in the sun if there' s time. Wrap in cling film, pack with clothes and stuff, but in huge boogie board looking thing. The bag is so big is has to go through oversized luggage and alsways gets checked with an explosive residue sniffer thing. has so far gotten through no worries every time. If asked, the bag contains sports equipment. Even got a extra allowance last time as if they were skis!
Also we do not ever use kero, but odourless fuels. There are fuels available here which other spinners have even been able to take on planes as they are not classed as hazardous (there are other threads about this too...)
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Posted:
That fuel sounds better and better Gabe. Kero is just sooo smelly
That fuel sounds better and better Gabe. Kero is just sooo smelly
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
Im in a lonely battle with the world with a fish to match the chip on my shoulder. Gnu in Binnu in a cnu
GOLD Member
is a medium/large scary man
420 posts
Location: Victoria, Australia, Earth, Milky Way...
is a medium/large scary man
420 posts
Location: Victoria, Australia, Earth, Milky Way...
Posted:
Qantas allow fire-sticks and poi on board as long as they are dry... The guy I spoke to also said the sealing of the stick in a pipe is a good idea...
Qantas allow fire-sticks and poi on board as long as they are dry... The guy I spoke to also said the sealing of the stick in a pipe is a good idea...
Contact juggling was invented by dung beetles.
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
When Lemming was at Moonfest she lit up her monkey fists, using odourless fuel. After the spin, we could smell kero coming off her poi!!!! The residue was still there and making smell even though it had been week/s since she used them!
Written by: Gnor
That fuel sounds better and better Gabe. Kero is just sooo smelly
When Lemming was at Moonfest she lit up her monkey fists, using odourless fuel. After the spin, we could smell kero coming off her poi!!!! The residue was still there and making smell even though it had been week/s since she used them!
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
SILVER Member
Geek
1,261 posts
Location: Manchester, UK
Geek
1,261 posts
Location: Manchester, UK
Posted:
Just thought I'd add that I've recently flown to both Spain and Italy (and back) and have just put my poi inside 2 or 3 plastic bags properly wrapped up and put in the side pocket of my rucksack. They were soaked in paraffin / kero (as in soaked after use and not burnt off) and no-one said a word. After I'd been in Barcelona it was no more than 12 hrs from burn to getting on the plane.
I think If they are well wrapped and in your hold luggage most of the time you're ok.
I did get told to take my sock poi out of my hand luggage and put them in my rucksack as they could be seen as a weapon by boarding staff
Just thought I'd add that I've recently flown to both Spain and Italy (and back) and have just put my poi inside 2 or 3 plastic bags properly wrapped up and put in the side pocket of my rucksack. They were soaked in paraffin / kero (as in soaked after use and not burnt off) and no-one said a word. After I'd been in Barcelona it was no more than 12 hrs from burn to getting on the plane.
I think If they are well wrapped and in your hold luggage most of the time you're ok.
I did get told to take my sock poi out of my hand luggage and put them in my rucksack as they could be seen as a weapon by boarding staff
BRONZE Member
queen of all the hipsters
150 posts
Location: Cornwall/Birmingham, United Kingdom
queen of all the hipsters
150 posts
Location: Cornwall/Birmingham, United Kingdom
Posted:
I called Quantas the other day to check I'd be allowed to carry fire poi (used but washed) in my check in luggage and was told absolutely not - they said it could be dangerous and the potential smell would also be a problem. They also wanted me to pack my hoop in a giant box and pay extra for it. Neither prospect is exactly thrilling me... do you think I should just pack the poi in an oven bag with a message and photo as suggested here and hope for the best? Or should I be sensible (which i hate doing) and stick with glow poi?
I called Quantas the other day to check I'd be allowed to carry fire poi (used but washed) in my check in luggage and was told absolutely not - they said it could be dangerous and the potential smell would also be a problem. They also wanted me to pack my hoop in a giant box and pay extra for it. Neither prospect is exactly thrilling me... do you think I should just pack the poi in an oven bag with a message and photo as suggested here and hope for the best? Or should I be sensible (which i hate doing) and stick with glow poi?
to live at all is miracle enough
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
There are [Old link] that boil down to:
Don't ask, just do.
Wash if you use stinky fuel, seal in checked luggage and GO!
There are [Old link] that boil down to:
Don't ask, just do.
Wash if you use stinky fuel, seal in checked luggage and GO!
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
Thanks newgabe!
Thanks newgabe!
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com