It’s official – the TSA sells items left behind at airports and you can bid on them from home – here’s how you can do it

By: Raquel R.

November 10, 2025

Although flying is much more efficient than the horseback journeys we had to endure 200 years ago, going through airport security is still a very stressful experience. Between putting away your laptop and putting your shoes back on, it’s very easy to leave something behind. We’ve all had that moment when the TSA agent points to your beloved Swiss Army knife and tells you it can’t fly with you. More than one person has had to leave it behind because there wasn’t enough time to mail it.

You may have wondered what happens to these thousands of items, from high-end pocket knives and professional tools to expensive brand-name headphones and even cameras. After all, many millions of people fly in a single year in the United States. Where do all these forgotten items go? The answer may surprise you in equal parts: they don’t go to the trash, as that would be a waste, but to public auctions where anyone—even you—can bid on them and buy them from the comfort of your home.