Roberta Aguirre
Airport security restrictions on liquids, gels, and creams can be confusing for travellers. Most food items are allowed through security, but restrictions on liquids, gels, and creams also apply to liquid foods such as drinks, soups, sauces, and jams. Liquids, gels, and creams are typically limited to containers of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less, and they must fit into a quart-sized bag. These restrictions are in place to ensure safety and facilitate the screening process. Some exceptions include duty-free liquids purchased internationally, baby food and milk, and medications. Understanding these rules is essential for a smooth journey through airport security.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container size | 3.4 oz (100ml) or less |
| Container type | Travel-sized |
| Container number | One quart-sized bag per passenger |
| Container contents | Creams, liquids, gels, pastes, and aerosols |
| Container screening | Containers may require additional screening |
| Container purchase | Containers can be purchased at the airport or on the plane |
| Container security | Containers must be sealed in a security bag |
| Container receipt | Receipt must be sealed in the security bag |
| Container inspection | Containers may be inspected by security staff |
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What You'll Learn
Containers must be 100ml or less
Liquids, gels, and aerosols that are over 3.4 ounces (100 ml) must be packed in checked baggage. This is a mandatory requirement for carry-on luggage. The containers must be small, each measuring no more than 100 ml or 3.4 ounces. These items must be placed in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag with a capacity of up to 1 litre (approx. 1 quart). The bag must fit in your hand baggage and be able to be sealed.
This rule applies to all liquids, gels, creams, and pastes. This includes cosmetic creams, as well as food items with liquid-like properties, such as cream cheese or sauces. Some foods, such as sandwiches, biscuits, fruits, and nuts, are allowed on board, but liquid foods like drinks, soups, sauces, jams, and jelly are subject to the same restrictions.
There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you are travelling with an infant, you are allowed to carry as much baby food, milk, powdered milk formula, and sterilised water as required for your trip, even if it exceeds the usual limit. Duty-free liquids purchased internationally can also be carried in your hand luggage if they are sealed in a secure, tamper-evident bag.
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Only one quart-sized bag per passenger
The quart-sized bag should be transparent, resealable, and have a capacity of up to one litre. It should be placed separately in your carry-on bag to facilitate the screening process. Any liquid, gel, or aerosol that is over 3.4 ounces should be packed in checked baggage, even if they are in a secure, tamper-evident bag.
There are some exemptions to the liquid rules. For example, duty-free liquids purchased internationally and brought to the United States with a connecting flight can be carried in secure, tamper-evident bags. Additionally, infant milk, baby food, powdered milk formula, and sterilised water are exempt from the liquid restrictions and do not need to fit in the transparent bag when going through security.
It is important to note that airport security staff have the final say on what is allowed through security. They will not permit anything they consider dangerous, even if it is typically allowed in hand luggage. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check with the specific airport and airline for their hand baggage requirements and restrictions.
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Exemptions for baby milk or food
Baby milk, formula, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (including purée pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids and are allowed in carry-on baggage in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 millilitres. These items do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag, but you should inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying them. Additionally, ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs, and other accessories required to cool baby milk or food are also allowed in carry-ons, even if they are partially frozen or slushy. These items are subject to the same screening process as other liquids and must be removed from your carry-on bag for separate screening.
Breast milk is also allowed through airport security in quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces or 100 millilitres. You must declare that you have breast milk with you at the security checkpoint, and it will be subject to additional screening. The same rules apply to formula, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food. You can bring as much infant milk, baby food, powdered milk formula, and sterilised water as required for your trip, even if it exceeds the usual liquid limit. These items should be stored in a baby bottle and readily available for inspection by airport security.
It is important to note that the rules and restrictions for carrying liquids through airport security may vary across different countries and airports, and they can also change frequently. Therefore, it is always recommended to check with the specific airport and the TSA for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding exemptions for baby milk and food. Additionally, any liquid, including baby-related items, that alarms during screening will require additional screening and may not be permitted in your carry-on bag.
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Duty-free liquids must be in tamper-evident bags
Liquids, gels, and aerosols that are over 3.4 ounces (100 ml) must be packed in checked baggage. However, there is an exception for duty-free liquids. Passengers are allowed to carry duty-free liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 ml in their carry-on baggage if they are in a secure, tamper-evident bag.
Tamper-evident bags are used to secure duty-free liquids that have been purchased internationally when a passenger is travelling to the United States with a connecting flight. The duty-free liquids must be packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and must not show signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening.
It is important to note that the tamper-evident bag is not always accepted through US checkpoints. For example, Japan does not use or accept the ICAO tamper-evident duty-free bag. Therefore, travellers changing planes in Japan for other international destinations should wait to purchase any liquid, aerosol, or gel duty-free items in excess of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) after arriving in Japan.
To avoid having duty-free liquids confiscated, it is recommended to wait until reaching your destination to purchase duty-free liquids, gels, or aerosols. If you have a connecting flight, it is best to buy duty-free items on the last leg of your trip when you do not need to pass through any more security checks.
Additionally, passengers should be aware that any item inside the tamper-evident bag that alarms or is unable to be screened will not be permitted in their carry-on bag.
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Liquids include gels, creams, and pastes
Liquids, gels, creams, and pastes are typically restricted items when it comes to airport security. These items are permitted in hand luggage, but they must adhere to specific guidelines. The general rule is that liquids, gels, and creams must be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. These containers must then be placed into a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which should not exceed one quart in size. Each passenger is allowed only one such bag.
It is important to note that this restriction applies to various items, including but not limited to drinks, soups, sauces, jams, and jellies. Even items like deodorant, makeup, and skincare products must comply with these regulations. This restriction also extends to liquid foods, such as drinks, soups, sauces, jams, and jellies. However, there are exceptions for certain items. For example, medications in pill bottles are allowed, and items like needles and liquids larger than 3.4 ounces will simply need to be inspected. Additionally, if you are travelling with an infant, you are allowed to carry as much baby food, milk (including breast milk), and sterilised water as required for your trip, even if it exceeds the usual liquid limit. These items are exempt from the requirement to fit within the transparent bag.
Duty-free liquids, gels, and creams can also be purchased at airport shops or on board during a connecting flight. These items can exceed the 3.4-ounce limit but must be sealed inside a security bag with the receipt visible. Additionally, some airports may allow you to take liquids in containers up to 2 litres in size, so it is always advisable to check the specific regulations of your departure and arrival airports.
When packing liquids, gels, and creams, it is important to be mindful of the restrictions and plan accordingly. Any items that do not meet the requirements may be confiscated by airport security staff, causing delays and inconvenience.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take cream through airport security, but only if it is in a container of no more than 3.4 ounces (100ml). This rule applies to all liquids, gels, creams, and pastes.
Containers larger than 3.4 ounces must be packed in checked baggage.
Food items with cream, such as cakes or pastries, are not typically considered containers. Therefore, they are usually exempt from the liquid restrictions. However, it is best to consume or discard liquid foods such as sauces before passing through security.
Yes, certain exemptions include baby milk or food, medicines, food for special dietary requirements, and liquids bought at duty-free shops. These items may be allowed in larger quantities, but they may need to be screened separately.
In addition to liquid restrictions, carry-on luggage restrictions include firearms, ammunition, fireworks, knives, razors, most tools, and sporting equipment that could be used as weapons.
