Omar Bennett
When it comes to travelling, it's important to be aware of the restrictions on what you can carry in your luggage. Liquids are a common concern for travellers, and the rules can vary depending on the country and airport. In general, liquids are defined as substances that adapt to the shape of their containers, and this includes gels, creams, aerosols, and pastes. Most airports have restrictions on the amount of liquid allowed in carry-on luggage, with a typical limit of 100ml per container, and all liquids must fit in a single resealable plastic bag. However, there are exemptions for certain items, such as duty-free liquids and essential medicines. Understanding what constitutes a liquid and the specific regulations can help travellers avoid issues at airport security and ensure a smoother journey.
What Constitutes a Liquid in Carry-on Luggage?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container size | 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per item |
| Container type | Travel-sized |
| Container material | Plastic |
| Container properties | Transparent, resealable, able to close and be sealed |
| Container volume | 1 quart (1 litre) |
| Container dimensions | 20cm x 20cm |
| Number of containers | 1 per passenger |
| Duty-free liquids | Allowed if packaged in a security tamper-evident bag |
| Frozen liquids | Not allowed |
| Exemptions | Baby food/drink, breast milk, distilled water for CPAP devices, gel and ice packs for medical reasons |
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What You'll Learn
Containers
Liquids, gels, pastes, creams, aerosols, beverages, and even food with a liquid consistency (such as yoghurt, pudding, or peanut butter) are all subject to the same restrictions when it comes to containers in carry-on luggage.
Any liquids that are over 3.4 ounces (100ml) should be packed in your checked baggage. This includes duty-free alcohol, although some airports may allow you to take containers of liquid up to 100ml through security in your hand luggage. It is always best to check with the airport before you travel.
There are some exceptions to the container rules. Any liquid, gel, or aerosol medicines that are essential and non-prescription, such as pain-relieving medication, cough syrup, eye care products, or nutritional supplements, are allowed. Baby food and milk, sterilised water, and food for infants under two years old are also exempt from the 100ml rule, as is breast milk, whether or not the nursing mother is travelling with her child. Gel and ice packs are permitted if needed for medical reasons or to refrigerate baby food and milk.
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Duty-free
Liquids, gels, and aerosols are restricted items when it comes to carry-on luggage. Containers holding more than 3.4 ounces or 100ml of such substances are generally not allowed to pass through security. However, there are some exemptions to this rule, and one of them is duty-free liquids.
When it comes to duty-free, you can carry liquids in your carry-on bag if they are packaged in a secure, tamper-evident bag. This means that the bag must be transparent, securely sealed, and show no signs of tampering. Additionally, the original receipt must be presented, and the purchase should have been made within 48 hours.
It is important to note that duty-free liquids are allowed only if they were purchased at an airport or on a plane. These items must remain sealed and unopened until you reach your final destination. If you have a connecting flight, especially in a different country, your duty-free liquids may be screened again and subject to different security rules.
Some examples of duty-free liquids include alcohol, perfumes, lotions, creams, oils, mascara, lip gloss, and other cosmetics. It is important to remember that these items are still subject to other regulations and restrictions, such as those related to dangerous goods. Additionally, local laws and regulations may impose further restrictions on the quantity and type of duty-free liquids allowed.
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Exemptions
Medication and Medical Items
Most medical items are allowed on an airplane, and it is recommended to carry them in your hand luggage in case they are needed during the flight. Medically necessary liquids are exempt from the usual liquid restrictions, but they must be declared to the TSA agent and screened. Any liquid medication you are carrying must be in a container of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less.
Baby Food and Drink
Baby food, milk, liquid formula, water, and juice are allowed in quantities greater than 100ml when travelling with an infant younger than two years old (0-24 months).
Duty-Free Liquids
Duty-free liquids are exempt from the usual liquid restrictions if they are packaged in a secure, tamper-evident bag and were purchased internationally while travelling to the United States with a connecting flight. The duty-free liquids must not show signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening.
Solid Food
Solid food can be carried in both carry-on and checked baggage.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages can be packed in checked baggage if the percentage of alcohol by volume is 70% (140 proof) or less. The quantity must not exceed five litres per person for alcoholic beverages between 24% and 70% alcohol by volume. Alcoholic drinks containing 24% alcohol or less are not subject to quantity limitations.
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Screening
When passing through airport security, you will need to remove your quart-sized bag of liquids from your carry-on luggage and place it in a bin to be X-rayed. The liquids bag must be placed separately from your carry-on baggage to facilitate the screening process. Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening.
If you are travelling with a baby or infant, you can bring as much baby milk, sterilized water, and food as you need for the journey, which can be more than 100ml. You will need to show these items to security, and individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. You may be asked to taste your baby's water or milk by security staff.
Some airports may allow you to take containers of liquid up to 100ml through security in your hand luggage. These containers must be placed in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm. Only one plastic bag is allowed per passenger, and it must be able to close and be sealed.
Liquids purchased from duty-free are allowed in your carry-on luggage, even if they are over 100ml. However, they must remain unopened and sealed in a security tamper-evident bag with a visible receipt. If you are transferring onto another flight in a different country, your duty-free liquids may be screened again and subject to that country's security rules.
Some items are exempt from the 100ml limit and do not have to be placed in a plastic bag. These include baby food and drink for infants younger than two years of age, as well as gel and ice packs needed to treat an injury or refrigerate baby food and medical items. Additionally, distilled water for CPAP devices is exempt from liquid restrictions.
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Restrictions
Liquids, gels, creams, aerosols, and pastes are subject to restrictions when packed in carry-on luggage. These restrictions are in place for security reasons, and failure to comply will result in the confiscation of the items at the screening point.
The general rule is that liquids must be in containers with a capacity of no more than 100ml. Each container must then be placed into a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm. Only one bag is permitted per passenger, and the bag must be able to seal closed. The bag must be removed from hand luggage and shown separately at airport security.
Some exemptions apply to this rule. Duty-free liquids, such as alcohol, are allowed in larger quantities, but only if they are packaged in a secure, tamper-evident bag and purchased within a certain timeframe. These bags may be screened again if transferring onto another flight in a different country and may be subject to that country's security rules. Medically necessary items, such as juice or gels for diabetics, distilled water for CPAP machines, and medication, are also exempt from the liquid restrictions. Baby food, milk, sterilised water, and breast milk are allowed in quantities greater than 100ml, but each container will need to be screened. Additionally, solid food with less than 100ml of liquid, such as canned goods, are allowed and must be placed in the same clear, resealable plastic bag as other liquids.
It is important to note that some items, such as frozen liquids and foods, are not permitted in carry-on luggage. Airport security staff have the final say on what is allowed through, and any item that they consider dangerous will not be permitted, even if it is usually allowed.
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Frequently asked questions
Liquids include gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes. This includes drinks and foods that are liquid or have a liquid-like consistency, such as yogurt, pudding, and peanut butter.
You can bring up to 1 litre of liquid in total. Each liquid container must be 100 ml or less and must fit in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag. Only one plastic bag per passenger is allowed.
Yes, there are some exemptions. Liquids such as baby formula, food, and milk can be brought in quantities greater than 100 ml. Additionally, liquids purchased from duty-free shops are allowed in carry-on luggage even if they are over 100 ml, as long as they remain sealed and are packaged in a security tamper-evident bag.
