Help

If you have a combination lock, you will NOT receive a key to open your lock. The key entry you see on the lock is designated for the security agents to open your lock, inspect your luggage and relock.

If you have trouble setting your combination or other difficulties contact the company or the retailer where you bought your lock or luggage. You can find a link to them on our TSA LOCK page. They may be able to help.

To recover your combination you will need a little time and some patience.

Please try all of the possible combinations from 000-999 (000, 001, 002, 003 through to 999).

You may think this will take a long time, but it should not take you more than 30 minutes and if the first digit of your forgotten code starts with a 0, 1, 2, or 3…then it will take significantly less than 30 minutes.

Try it out, as it will save you from potentially having to buy a new lock. Otherwise, you can take it to your place of purchase, or to another luggage retailer or professional locksmith to see if they can help.

As suggested in FAQ above, you can try to find your combination by trying all of the possible combinations from 000-999 (000, 001, 002, 003 through to 999).

Otherwise, we suggest that you contact the brand distributor of the locks you are having problems with or return them to the place where they were purchased.

Since not all locks are the same here are general directions which should help.
Check our instruction videos here: Padlock, (padlock video), Zipper locks, (zipper video) or Latch lock (latch video).

For lock specific instructions, check on or inside the product. Alternatively, ask the store where you purchased the lock. They should be able to either help you set the combination or can show you the instructions from a similar lock.

You can also contact the distributor of this brand of lock.
Remember to write down your combination and store it in a safe place just in case you forget it.

Step 1. Choose a memorable combination and write it down in a safe place like your phone

Step 2. Turn the dials to 0-0-0 Remove the zipper pullers from the lock

Step 3. Press down the reset button with a tool such as a ballpoint pen, until you hear a ‘click’ sound

Step 4. You might find the reset button on the side of your lock You can now set your combination

Step 5. Press or slide the arrow/release button

Step 6. Your combination is now set

Step 1. Choose a memorable combination and write it down in a safe place like your phone

Step 2. Turn the dials to 0-0-0 Pull the shackle up from the lock

Step 3. Turn the shackle 90 degrees clockwise

Step 4. Press the shackle down

Step 5. Turn it further 90 degrees

Step 6. You can now set your combination

Step 7. Rotate the shackle back

Step 8. Rotate the shackle back

Step 9. Your combination is now set

Step 1. Choose a memorable combination and write it down in a safe place like your phone

Step 2. Turn the dials to 0-0-0 Pull the cable up from the lock

Step 3. Press the reset button with a tool such a ballpoint pen and hold it

Step 4. While pressing the button, set your combination

Step 5. Release the reset button

Step 6. Your combination is now set

Step 1. Choose a memorable combination and write it down in a safe place like your phone

Step 2. Turn the dials to 0-0-0 Press and hold the reset button with a tool such as a ballboint pen (you may hear a ‘click’ sound) You might find rest button on the side of your lock

Step 3. You can now set your combination

Step 4. Remove the pen from the reset button

Step 5. Push the arrow button
Step 6. Your combination is now set

Step 1. Turn the dials to 0-0-0 (original combination)

Step 2. Push and hold the arrow button

Step 3. You can now set your combination

Step 4. Release the arrow button – your combination is now set

Step 1. Turn the dials to 0-0-0 (original combination)

Step 2. Locate the slide on the bottom of the lock.

Step 3. Slide the selector from either A to B or OFF to Set.

Step 4. You can now set your combination.

Step 5. Slide the selector from either B to A or Set to Off – your combination is now set.

Step 6. Your combination is now set

Step 1. Set the combination to 0-0-0.

Step 2. Open the lock by pressing the release button.

Step 3. Once unlocked, place a pen or other similar pointed object on the end of the metal rod and push in.

Step 4. While pushing in, set/reset your combination. Releasing the button locks your combination. Remember to write down your combination and store it in a safe place.

Step 5. When resetting a cable or strap lock make sure you have pushed the reset button or bar ALL the way down and keep it firmly depressed when changing the combination.

There are thousands of different key combinations. To get a replacement key, please contact the brand of luggage here on our website under LOCK page. It will help if you are able to give them any code or codes that are etched or printed on and around the cylinder face.

If you cannot open your suitcase, we suggest that you bring it to a luggage store where you purchased it or a locksmith to see if they can help.

If you have a combination lock, you will NOT receive a key to open your lock. The key entry you see on the lock is designated for the security agents to open your lock, inspect your luggage and relock. Please set the lock as per our instructions.

If you have trouble setting your combination or other difficulties contact the brand or the retailer where you bought your lock or luggage. You can find a link to them on our TSA LOCK page. They may be able to help.

Most manufacturers and distributors of Travel Sentry® Approved locks have a very strong warranty replacement policy.
We suggest you contact the brand distributor of the locks you are having problems with or return them to the place where they were purchased.

It is possible the security agent forgot to relock your luggage so to relock it use a tool (small coin or screwdriver) to rotate the cylinder face in the direction of the arrow until it aligns with the red dot.  This only works to relock but not to unlock.

You need to connect a power bank to the cable on the inside of the luggage to use the USB port.

It is very likely that the battery for the lock is low and needs replacement.

Travel Sentry, working with the airports, has identified that most instances of missing locks are a result of airline baggage handling. Locks can be torn off when caught in conveyors belts or from centrifugal force when baggage is ejected by baggage “pushers” which are part of many automated conveyor systems. Often the weakest links are the zipper pulls on baggage – not the locks themselves.
There are instances when a Screening Officer has failed to replace a lock removed in order to open the bag for screening. Look for the Notice of Baggage Inspection form from the TSA inside your bag. If your lock is missing and there is a TSA Notice inside the bag, contact the Brand whose product you purchased. Most Brands participating in the Travel Sentry system will replace locks under these circumstances. Travel Sentry recommends buying baggage with “kissing sliders” which hold the lock much more securely and minimize the effect of airline baggage handling. When rough airline handling is suspected you should file a claim with your airline without delay.

To restore the search indicator on your combination padlock:
Open the lock with your combination.
Pull up the shackle until you hear a click.
Turn the shackle clockwise.
You will find an opening which shows a green button inside.
Using a pen or another suitable object, push down the green button to restore the indicator panel from RED back to GREEN.

How to reset the indicator on my zipper lock – how can I relock it?
Insert a small bladed item such as the tip of a knife or a fine, flat blade screwdriver about 1-2 mm into the face of the lock. Then turn it towards the lock position. That is all that is necessary to reset the lock.

Note that this will only work going from the “unlock” to the “lock” position, not vice versa.

Look for the Notice of Baggage Inspection form from the TSA inside your bag. If your lock is damaged and there is a TSA Notice inside the bag, contact the Brand that you purchased. Most Brands participating in the Travel Sentry system will replace locks under these circumstances.

If a TSA Notice is not inside your bag, it is likely that airline handling is the cause of damage. File a claim with your airline without delay.

Lastly, sometimes in the rush to get all bags inspected and onto their flights, locks are sometimes [but rarely] left behind. The Security Officers are very careful to relock bags but you will understand that with so many bags being screened occasionally a lock is left behind. In this case, we can only suggest you to buy another lock. It is not likely the original padlock could be recovered.

There are two likely scenarios a lock is broken during travel by air:

Baggage handling systems (conveyor belts and other automated systems) and manual handling all take a toll on your baggage and your lock. The airlines are responsible for damage that exceeds the definition of “normal wear and tear”. File a claim with your airline without delay.
Airport Security Officers inspect millions of pieces of baggage every day. It is faster and easier for them to open your Travel Sentry locks using their special Travel Sentry tools than it is for them to cut or break open a lock. However, it is rare but possible, that the Security Officer may have to cut open a Travel Sentry lock if it has been damaged or malfunctioning in some way. Should this occur, the Screening Agencies are not liable for damage to your lock.

When luggage is damaged during travel, it is important to claim directly with the airline.
Alternatively you can contact the distributor or brand of your luggage to discuss repair or possible spare parts replacement.

Please contact your airline for specific information . Many airlines follow the IATA passenger baggage allowance standard, which you can find here.

Travel Sentry® Approved Locks are a global standard and are not limited where they can be used. Of course Travel Sentry locks are accepted at every USA-controlled airport from the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean to the far Pacific Islands like Guam as well as all of the airports on the U.S. Mainland, Hawaii and Alaska – that is over 750 US airports.

The TSA Lock™ system is now also implemented in over 75 countries and continues to expand. See the latest list on the TSA LOCK page.

In fact, there is no place where Travel Sentry locks cannot be used – everyone should lock their luggage and if they are using Travel Sentry Locks then they can travel safely and securely everywhere. So rest assured, you can travel with your luggage locked and secured with Travel Sentry Locks.

The TSA’s standard practice is to leave a notice in your suitcase informing you that your bag was inspected.

Most countries have a similar practice.

Locking your luggage protects your possessions from theft, tampering and potential misuse by smugglers. Locking your luggage also provides a layer of protection and deterrence from having luggage opened in those areas that are not monitored, such as airplane luggage storage bays, hotel rooms, concierge storage areas, etc.
You lock your house. You lock your car. Why not lock your luggage?

Luggage locks are an effective first line of defense but just as with automobiles and houses a determined thief can force their way in. All Travel Sentry Approved locks must meet our standards that are much higher than the luggage locks on the market before 2003.

Be sure to set a combination that cannot easily be guessed. Avoid 0-0-0 or 1-2-3. By taking reasonable precautions you can lock, protect and relax.

The Travel Sentry tools are held by the Security Officers and not available to airport staff. Each set of secured tool is controlled government property and unlawful to duplicate. Most luggage inspection locations are equipped with video surveillance.

If the lock has the Travel Sentry Red diamond logo on it, it is still usable and the security officers will be able to unlock & relock it.

Each lock has a special code TSA001 to TSA008, which is used by the TSA, CATSA and other security agencies to know which secure tool to use to open the lock.

Some suitcases come with an OKOBAN-branded UID code. This code allows you to register your suitcase online in case of loss. Visit www.okoban.com and follow the easy instructions there to register your suitcase.

Some suitcases come with a TSID-branded UID code. This code allows you to register your suitcase online in case of loss. Visit www.tsid.com and follow the easy instructions there to register your suitcase.