Security Standards & Prohibited Items - Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (2024)

Primary Security Screening

A primary security screening, similar to airport security procedures, is required for those boarding any ferry to Liberty Island or Ellis Island, and must be completed at the point of departure before boarding. There are no locker storage areas at the screening facility departure locations in either New York or New Jersey.

Illegal items will be seized. For additional information regarding illegal items, refer to:
New Jersey Law: 2C:39-3 Prohibited Weapons and Devices

New York Law: Penal Law Article 265 Firearms & Other Dangerous Weapons

Federal Laws: 18 U.S. Code §2277: Explosives or Dangerous Weapons Aboard Vessels; 18 U.S. Code § 930: Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities; 41 CFR 102-74.370 - What items are subject to inspection by Federal agencies?

Prohibited items may be voluntarily surrendered at the owners’ discretion. Prohibited items that are voluntarily surrendered will not be returned.

PROHIBITED ITEMS ON THE FERRIES
AND PARK PROPERTY

Although many prohibited items are not illegal, these items are prohibited by park policy to enter the park and/or Monument. Do not carry any of the items mentioned below into the security screening area. Please note that this list is not exhaustive; if you are unsure about an item, please do not bring it. Items that are surrendered will not be returned.

Prohibited Items include:

• ALL weapons, including firearms, ammunition, BB guns, compressed air guns, pellet guns, realistic replicas of firearms, starter pistols, flare guns, tasers, stun guns, shocking devices, throwing stars, handcuffs and handcuff keys, replica weapons, gun powder, gun and/or firearm parts, swords, sabers, billy clubs, blackjacks, brass knuckles, martial arts weapons, nightsticks, nunchucks, any dangerous items, any “dual-use” items that could be dangerous. All of these items are strictly prohibited on the ferry and in the park.
• Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), drones, and other similar remote-controlled flying devices or vehicles.
• Unmanned water-vehicle systems (UWS), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), unmanned surface vehicles (USV), and other similar devices/vehicles.
• Illegal drugs/narcotics and controlled substances whose use is strictly prohibited by government regulation.
• Marijuana (MJ): While circ*mstances exist that permit medical patients to possess MJ in some states for certain purposes, MJ is a Controlled Substance Schedule I drug and is prohibited from entering the park. Refer to 21 U.S.C. §802(32)(A) for the definition of a controlled substance analogue and 21 U.S.C. §813 for the schedule.
• Explosives, fireworks, firecrackers, blasting caps, dynamite, hand grenades, realistic replicas of explosives/grenades, gas canisters, compressed gases, and other potentially dangerous items which can cause bodily harm to park visitors, staff or property.
• Chemicals such as chlorine, liquid bleach, turpentine, paint thinner, flammable liquids, fuels, gasoline, lighter fluid, or similar items.
• Unidentified powdered substances, liquid soaps and bubbles.
• LARGE packages. Suitcases, carry-on luggage and other large parcels will not be permitted on the ferry systems or at Liberty and Ellis Islands. Bags must fit through x-ray machine opening to enter the park (opening size: 24.2” width x 17.9” height)
• Face masks and/or costumes that are designed to conceal the identity of a person are prohibited.
• Scissors (metal with pointed tips and a blade length greater than four (4) inches measured from the fulcrum are prohibited).
• Open containers of alcoholic beverages, including flasks.
• Razor-type blades, box cutters or similar items are prohibited.
• Work tools. (examples: meat cleavers, axes, hatchets, cattle prods, crowbars, drills and drill bits, wrenches, pliers, saws, ice picks, screwdrivers, hammers, and other similar items)
• Aerosol sprays, mace, self-defensive sprays designed to protect against dogs and other animals, and other self-defense sprays including “oleoresin capsicum” (OC) pepper spray.
• Hazardous materials of any kind.
• Marking instruments including spray paints and ink markers, paint markers, glass cutters, liquid paint, and/or other implements that may be used to mark, dye or color, scratch, gouge, or otherwise deface property by mechanical or chemical means.
• Personal-use recreational wheeled devices and sporting goods equipment such as bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, ice skates, motorized skateboards, self-balancing scooters, golf clubs, baseball bats, hockey sticks, pool cues, ski poles, spear guns, bows and arrows, cricket bats, lacrosse sticks, and similar items. Toy guns and toy weapons.
• Rope, climbing equipment, harnesses, wire of any kind, or any device used to attach or hang posters onto any structure or tree.
• Audio amplification devices designed to amplify sound such as speaker systems, personal wireless speakers,radios,megaphones, bull horns, and other similar devices.
• Flags, posters, banners, and other similar items exceeding twenty (20) feet in length by three (3) feet in width.
• Inert training aids.

DO NOTleave items unattended at any time.

Pocket Knives designated as weapons under 18 U.S. Code § 930: Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities are not permitted into the park. A pocket knife is considered a weapon if:

• The blade is longer than 2.5 inches or 6 centimeters in length.
• The blade width is more than 1/2 inch at its widest point.
• The knife has a locking or fixed blade.
• The knife has a molded grip.

Secondary Security Screening/Entrance to the monument

A secondary security screening site is located at the entrance of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Submission to secondary security screening is required for those entering the Monument with Crown or Pedestal Access passes. The Pedestal is the stone support structure at the base of the Statue of Liberty. Locker facilities are available for a 25-cent deposit. There is a change machine that accepts $1 and $5bills located in front of the lockers.

Prohibited ItemsforMonumentAccess(Pedestal)

In addition to our prohibited items list above, the following items are prohibited from entering the Monument:

• All food.
• All beverages, except water in a plastic container.
• All backpacks (including oversized bags). Permissible baggage items are limited to 8” x 17” x 19” per item.
• Flag, posters, banners, and other similar items exceeding three (3) feet in width by three (3) feet in length.
• Strollers.
• Tripods, non-folding umbrellas.
• Laptops.
• All pocket knives.
• Items that may be considered dangerous – any item pointed, sharp, or dual-use items.

ApprovedItemsforCrownAccess

Crown Access pass holders are only permitted to carry:

• One (1) camera and a small camera case.
• Any necessary medication.
• Water.
• Tickets.
• Cell phones.

Thank you for your cooperation. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

If you SEE something, SAY something
to a U.S. Park Police Officer or National Park Service Ranger.