Lost & Found

Charlotte Airport Lost and Found

Lost something at Charlotte Douglas International Airport? Report it immediately — airport lost and found offices hold items for 30–90 days, but recovery rates drop sharply after the first 24 hours.

Left somewhere in the airport (not at security)

Airport Lost and Found

704-359-4013

Location: Baggage claim lower level, main terminal

Hours: Daily 7am–10pm

Left at the TSA security checkpoint

TSA Lost Property

1-866-289-9673

Items left at the security checkpoint are held for 30 days. File a claim promptly — TSA cannot guarantee recovery after this period.

File a TSA claim online →

Note: items left in gate areas may also be held by the airline's gate staff — contact the airline directly for gate-area and on-board lost items.

What to do right now (step by step)

Check with the airline first — items left at gates or on the plane go to the airline, not the airport.
If lost in the terminal: call 704-359-4013 or go to Baggage claim lower level, main terminal.
If lost at the security checkpoint: call TSA at 1-866-289-9673 or file a claim online.
File an online claim if available — written claims are processed faster and create a searchable paper trail.
Check back in 24–48 hours — items are logged as they come in and may not appear in the system immediately.

Pro Tip

CLT is a linear single-terminal airport — one central lost and found desk on the baggage claim level covers all concourses (A through E), making in-person visits straightforward.

Frequently asked questions

How long does CLT airport keep lost items?

Most airports hold unclaimed items for 30–90 days before donating or auctioning them. File your claim as quickly as possible to maximize recovery chances.

What if I left something on the plane?

Items left on aircraft go to the airline, not the airport lost and found. Contact the airline directly — each airline has its own baggage service phone number and online claim process.

How do I report a lost item at the TSA checkpoint at CLT?

Call TSA at 1-866-289-9673 or file a claim at tsa.gov/travel/customer-service. Items left at security checkpoints are held for 30 days.

Can I file a lost item report online for CLT?

CLT does not currently list a standalone online lost item report form. Call 704-359-4013 to file by phone or visit Baggage claim lower level, main terminal in person.

Know exactly when to leave for the airport

The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live CLT TSA wait, real-time drive time from your door, and gate-walk distance into one exact time to leave home — no guesswork.

Calculate my Leave-By Time →

TSA·WAIT·TIMES