Wrapping your luggage in plastic might feel reassuring, but doubts remain about how reliable it really is.

Travel

Do you wrap your luggage when you travel? TSA clears up the truth about securing your suitcase

Sports-lover turned journalist, born and bred in Scotland, with a passion for football (soccer). He’s also a keen follower of NFL, NBA, golf and tennis, among others, and always has an eye on the latest in science, tech and current affairs. As Managing Editor at AS USA, uses background in operations and marketing to drive improvements for reader satisfaction.

Update: Jun 11th, 2025 07:26 EDT

Plastic-wrapped luggage is one of those travel sights that raises eyebrows and questions in equal measure. I, for one, while intrigued, always avoid the service but that could say more about the value of my belongings!

At U.S. airports, it’s not uncommon to see suitcases tightly encased in green or blue plastic, almost like leftovers in a fridge. This practice, you may not be aware, has been around since the early 1990s, and today, companies like Secure Wrap employ hundreds of workers to wrap bags at more than a dozen U.S. airports and many more overseas. But does it actually do anything?

How effective is luggage wrap?

Some travelers swear by the wrap. The reasons vary – from keeping their bag scratch-free to trying to deter thieves or corrupt officials. In countries with a history of airport scams, like the infamous “laglag-bala” bullet-planting scheme at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, wrapping a suitcase feels like an act of self-defense. Here’s more on that.

Others are more concerned with protecting their bags from chemicals, like the pesticides sprayed on incoming luggage in places like Australia, the Maldives, or China. One traveler on Reddit even claimed they regretted not wrapping their bag before landing in China because their clothes got doused with disinfectant.

Of course, there’s also the practical reason: your suitcase is falling apart. For those with broken zippers or duct-taped handles, a $15 wrap is cheaper than buying a replacement bag on the spot. The And the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have shared some thoughts.

What the TSA does with wrapped luggage

Plastic wrap doesn’t shield your bag from TSA. If your luggage is flagged, they’ll cut through the wrap and open it – just like any other bag. Around 95% of bags pass through without being opened, but if yours is in the unlucky 5%, any non–TSA-approved locks could also be broken.

TSA won’t rewrap your luggage, though some services like Secure Wrap may do it for free if TSA opened it. They also offer damage and loss guarantees, but be sure to read the fine print.

This luggage is bread-y for its flight. Are you?

If you knead help on how to #PackSmart, rye not check out our “What Can I Bring?“ tool? Some might say it’s the best thing since sliced bread. https://t.co/97siEhHYHu pic.twitter.com/cCq5QzPrha
— TSA (@TSA) May 8, 2025

Smarter ways to secure your bag

Plastic wrapping may be on its way out, with some airports are considering bans due to waste. Instead, it’s worth using TSA-approved locks, luggage straps, or reusable covers. They won’t prevent inspections, but they’re better for the planet... and, quite possibly, your conscience.

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