I am going to visit some Christmas Markets in Germany next month. If I buy glass ornaments, can I bring them home in my carry-on? Glass items are no-no's, I think, under US regulations. Is it different in Europe? (flying Lufthansa)

Hello Barbara, I have never heard of glass items not being allowed in a carryon in the US. I have read of people not being able to bring their snow globes onto the plane but that is because of the liquid issue. Does Lufthansa address this issue on their website? Best regards, and have a wonderful time shopping in Germany.

You can bring glass ornaments in your carry on; the restrictions I've seen are around liquids in containers greater than 3 oz which would preclude any glugwein, brandy, etc. Just make sure the ornaments are well packed, wrapped in tissue or in their boxes and cushioned in the carry on. For larger ones, I've used a shopping bag and hand carried them.

I called Lufthansa and the agent said: "I think they will want you to check them because if it's glass you could break them and then you'd have a sharp object".

He didn't sound very sure of his answer, though. Maybe it will depend on who is doing the security screening on any given day?

I have glass items in my carry-on all the time when I travel from Europe to the US and have never had a problem. I know you are asking specifically about Germany -- I have not been in recent years, but my in-laws fly from Germany to the US once a year and they have never had a problem with glass items in their carry-on (although the wine gets checked).

Hi Barbara5353, we fly to Germany frequently, always on Lufthansa and I've never heard that you can not bring glass in your carry-on, have done it often and never had a problem. Be sure to take a roll of bubble wrap, it doesn't take up much room in your suitcase and you can use it to re-wrap your goodies to bring them home.

When are going to Germany? We leave from Houston R/T to Frankfurt 12.3 - 12.15, only 3 more weeks, yipee.

Have a wonderful trip.
Susan

Susan:
Maybe we'll pass each other on the train or something! I leave on December 4th & return on December 11th. Short trip, but still worth it. Where are you staying? I considered Frankfurt as my base, but thought it might be too large a city for easy walking-around.

For Christmas markets, Heidelburg, Rothenburg, Nuremburg and Munich were awesome!

I love the agent's rationale. "You might break them and use them as a weapon." And what do the airlines hand you when you order wine on the plane? A little glass bottle! They are truly insane.

Barbara:

I have carried glass ornaments home many times both within the US and from the UK and the Netherlands. I have never had an issue with security. I usually wrap them in a soft tissue paper, then bubble wrap (tape it so it holds secure)and place them in my carry on.

Enjoy your trip!