"Trying to Play with a $2 Squishy Toy Ends Up Costing $75... U.S. Airport Refuses Malrang-i as Carry-On"

Toys Exceeding 100 mL Gel Limit Restricted
Must Be Checked In as Baggage for an Additional Fee

Squishy toys, also known as 'Malrang-i', which are highly popular not only among children but also adults, are increasingly being denied carry-on permission at airport security checkpoints in the United States. This is because the gel or liquid substances contained inside these toys are subject to strict aviation security regulations.

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According to the New York Post on September 15 (local time), there has recently been a surge in cases where travelers at U.S. airports are prevented from bringing squishy toys onto planes. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) strictly enforces the rule that any items containing gel or liquid must be under 100 mL.

Violation of In-Flight Security Rules: "Discard or Check It In"

With regard to gel-filled toys, TSA guidelines state that if the contents are 100 mL or less, they can be carried onboard in a clear, palm-sized, 1-quart zipper bag, just like other liquids.

1-quart size zipper bag, palm-sized. Getty Images

However, circumstances at security checkpoints can differ. Many products only indicate the total weight, making it difficult to determine the exact amount of liquid inside. As a result, the final decision on whether the toy can be brought aboard is entirely at the discretion of the security officer on site.

If stopped at the checkpoint, travelers must either discard the toy or pay an additional fee to check it in as baggage. In this case, it is important to carefully wrap the squishy toy between soft clothing inside the suitcase to prevent it from bursting due to pressure.

Of course, not all squishy toys are confiscated. There have been instances where multiple toys successfully passed through security checks. However, the TSA has advised that, given the high popularity of such toys, families planning to visit the United States should prepare in advance to avoid issues at the security checkpoint.

If It Bursts After Freezing, It’s a Bigger Problem—Beware of Harmful Substances in Direct Purchase Products

A child's parent is checking in a toy that was prohibited from being carried on board right before the plane's departure. TikTok capture @celinetrang

In one case, a 9-year-old child preparing for a trip to Puerto Rico packed a large, butter-shaped squishy toy for in-flight entertainment, only to have their bag flagged at security. The toy's contents were considered liquid, and carry-on was not allowed. With only 20 minutes left before boarding, the family had to dash out of the airport to send the toy by mail instead.

A woman is having TSA officers take out squishy toys she brought, filling her bag. TikTok capture @Laura

Another traveler carrying an expensive squishy toy called 'Nee-Doh' was stopped by the TSA and had to pay an extra $75 (about 103,000 won) to check it in as baggage at the last minute.

Toy manufacturers have cautioned against attempting to bypass liquid restrictions by freezing squishy toys, explaining that internal materials could break down and burst. If you need to bring toys when traveling, it is recommended to purchase small products under 100 mL or those filled with safe substances like corn starch.

TSA agents at Miami International Airport are inspecting luggage using a CT scanner. Photo by CNN

Meanwhile, beyond carry-on issues, concerns about the safety of squishy toys continue to surface. On August 27, the Seoul Metropolitan Government conducted safety inspections on sensory toys sold through overseas direct-purchase platforms such as Aliexpress and Temu. Some products were found to contain phthalate plasticizers, which can cause infertility or premature birth, or even carcinogenic substances, warranting extra caution.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.