As the summer holidays approach, the Geneva Cantonal Police are warning travelers departing from Geneva International Airport: some items found in luggage may be illegal in Switzerland, even if they were purchased abroad in good faith.
Every year, airport security checks lead to the confiscation of several types of prohibited items, including:
-
Laser pointers of classes 2, 3, and 4
-
Brass knuckles, including those disguised as keychains or gadgets
-
Butterfly knives and switchblades
Laser pointers: an often underestimated offense
Often seen as harmless gadgets, powerful laser pointers are banned in Switzerland under the Law on Non-Ionizing Radiation and Sound (LRNIS). Their possession is illegal—even for private, academic, or recreational use. When discovered during airport checks, they are systematically reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The consequences are real: you may miss your flight, face criminal charges, and receive a fine that can exceed CHF 1,000.