Sachin Walls
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict rules about what you can bring in your carry-on luggage. Liquids, gels, and aerosols are subject to the 3-1-1 rule, which means you can only bring a quart-sized bag of liquids in containers of 3.4 ounces or less. These bags must be clear and sealed. You can bring liquids of any size in your checked baggage, but there are restrictions on flammable liquids and alcohol. Medically necessary liquids are exempt from the rule, but they must still be screened.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Liquid allowance | Liquids, gels, and aerosols are limited to 3.4 ounces (100ml) per item in carry-on baggage. |
| Container type | Liquids must be in a quart-sized, clear, tamper-evident, and resealable bag. |
| Screening process | Liquids must be removed from carry-on baggage and placed in a bin for separate screening. |
| Exemptions | Duty-free liquids purchased internationally are exempt if packaged in a secure, tamper-evident bag. Medically necessary liquids, such as breast milk, baby formula, and liquid medication, are also exempt. |
| Checked baggage | Liquids of any size can be packed in checked baggage, except for flammable liquids and alcoholic beverages over 70% alcohol. |
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What You'll Learn
- Liquids, gels, and aerosols must be under 3.4 oz or 100 ml
- Exemptions include baby milk, prescription medication, and duty-free liquids
- Volatile liquids, like gasoline, are banned from carry-on and checked bags
- Frozen liquids are allowed if solid at screening, but enforcement varies
- Liquids must be in a quart-sized, clear, tamper-evident bag for screening
Liquids, gels, and aerosols must be under 3.4 oz or 100 ml
Liquids, gels, and aerosols are permitted in carry-on luggage as long as they are in containers that are no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). This includes items such as shampoo, face wash, hand sanitizer, eye drops, and lip balm. These items must be placed in a clear, quart-sized bag, separate from your carry-on baggage, to facilitate the screening process. Any liquid, gel, or aerosol that is over 3.4 ounces should be packed in your checked baggage.
It is important to note that some items, such as volatile liquids (including gasoline and other flammable substances), are not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags. Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are permitted in checked bags, but must not exceed 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in their original, unopened packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 70% or higher alcohol content are prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage.
Medically necessary liquids, such as breast milk, baby formula, prescription eye drops, liquid medications, and hydration or nutritional supplements for chronic conditions or disabilities, are exempt from the 3.4-ounce restriction. However, it is recommended to declare these items to a security officer at the checkpoint and provide documentation if possible to expedite the screening process.
Duty-free liquids purchased internationally can be carried in your carry-on bag if they are in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag provided by the retailer and do not show any signs of tampering. The purchase must have been made within 48 hours, and the original receipt must be presented during screening. Additionally, liquids that are completely frozen solid may be allowed through security, although enforcement of this rule may vary.
To ensure a smooth airport experience, it is recommended to use clear, zippered pouches for your liquids and to pre-pack them at home. Place the liquids bag in an easily accessible outer pocket of your carry-on for convenient screening. By following these guidelines and allowing ample time for security checks, you can avoid delays and potential confiscation of items.
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Exemptions include baby milk, prescription medication, and duty-free liquids
Liquids are only allowed in carry-on bags in containers that are 3.4 ounces or less, and these containers must fit in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag, such as a gallon-sized bag. Each passenger is limited to one such bag. This is a standard rule across
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Volatile liquids, like gasoline, are banned from carry-on and checked bags
Liquids, gels, and aerosols are permitted in carry-on luggage at the airport, but only in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less. These containers must fit into a single, clear, quart-size bag, and only one bag is allowed per passenger. This bag should be easily accessible during screening, placed in an outer pocket of the carry-on, for instance.
Any liquids, gels, or aerosols in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) must be packed in checked baggage. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Volatile liquids, such as gasoline, and other flammable substances are banned from both carry-on and checked bags. It is advisable not to bring them to the airport at all.
Medically necessary liquids, such as breast milk, baby formula, prescription eye drops, liquid medications, and hydration or nutritional supplements for chronic conditions or disabilities, are allowed. These liquids still need to be screened and declared to an officer at the checkpoint. While not mandatory, documentation can expedite the screening process, especially for less common items. Liquids that are completely frozen solid may also be permitted, but this is at the discretion of the officer at the checkpoint.
Duty-free liquids purchased internationally can be carried in your bag if they are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer, show no signs of tampering, and were purchased within the past 48 hours. The duty-free liquids exception also applies if you are travelling to the US with a connecting flight.
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Frozen liquids are allowed if solid at screening, but enforcement varies
Liquids in carry-on luggage must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule, which was introduced in 2006 after British officials foiled a plot to detonate liquid explosives on board international flights headed to the U.S. The rule states that liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in containers of 3.4 fluid ounces (100ml) or less, and all containers must fit into a single, clear quart-size bag.
However, frozen liquids are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are completely frozen solid when presented for screening. Partially melted or slushy frozen liquids that have any liquid at the bottom of the container must meet the 3-1-1 liquids requirements.
While this is a less commonly known rule, it is important to note that enforcement of this rule will be up to the officer that you encounter at the checkpoint. As one source states, "TSA allows frozen items if they're solid at screening—but if partially melted, they may be confiscated. I advise against relying on this trick unless truly necessary."
In addition, different countries may have different regulations regarding frozen liquids. For example, Australian regulations state that for a liquid, aerosol, or gel (LAG) to be considered a solid, it must be solid at room temperature. Therefore, liquids that are liquid at room temperature, even if frozen, are still subject to the 100ml rule.
Furthermore, some international airport terminals, such as Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), have lightened liquid restrictions by introducing new computed tomography (CT) scanner technology. With CT scans, officers can detect liquids that might be dangerous without requiring travelers to remove liquids from their bags.
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Liquids must be in a quart-sized, clear, tamper-evident bag for screening
Liquids, gels, and aerosols are permitted in carry-on luggage as long as they are in containers of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less. These must be placed inside a single quart-sized, clear, tamper-evident bag to facilitate the screening process. This includes items such as shampoo, face wash, hand sanitiser, eye drops, lip balm, and other similar products.
The quart-sized bag should be easily accessible, ideally placed in an outer pocket of your carry-on luggage. It is recommended to use a clear, zippered pouch and to prepare this bag at home before travelling. Each liquid item should be in its own container that is 3.4 ounces or less. This includes liquids such as water, which must be presented in a container of 3.4 ounces or less to be allowed through security.
Any liquid, gel, or aerosol in a container larger than 3.4 ounces should be placed in your checked baggage. This includes full-size toiletry items such as shampoo. These items should be packed separately from your carry-on baggage. It is recommended to place them in your checked baggage, even if they are in a secure, tamper-evident bag.
There are some exceptions to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids. Medically necessary liquids, such as breast milk, baby formula, prescription eye drops, liquid medications, and hydration or nutritional supplements for chronic conditions or disabilities, are allowed but must be declared to an officer at the checkpoint. Duty-free liquids purchased internationally can also be carried in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag. These bags must be packed by the retailer and show no signs of tampering when presented for screening. Additionally, liquids that are completely frozen solid may be permitted, although this is at the discretion of the officer at the checkpoint.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take a gallon bag through airport security, but it must only contain solid items. Liquids, gels, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less and placed in a quart-sized bag.
If you forget to separate your liquids, you may be asked to do so during security screening, which could cause delays. It is recommended that you prepare your liquids in advance and place them in an easily accessible pocket of your carry-on bag.
Medically necessary liquids, such as breast milk, baby formula, liquid medication, and saline solution, are allowed in unlimited quantities. These items should be declared to a security officer at the checkpoint and may require additional screening.
