Roberta Aguirre
While it is generally not permitted to bring water through airport security, there are some exceptions and workarounds. For instance, gel ice and freezer packs are allowed as long as they are frozen solid. Additionally, duty-free liquids purchased internationally and in transit to the US can exceed 3.4 ounces or 100ml, but they must be in a secure, tamper-evident bag and travellers must have the original receipt. Some non-US airports also allow liquids in carry-ons, but this is not a universal rule.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you take sealed water through airport security? | No, you cannot take sealed water through TSA security. |
| Can you take ice through airport security? | Yes, ice is allowed through TSA security. |
| Can you take water through security on inbound international flights? | Yes, duty-free liquids over 3.4 ounces or 100ml are allowed if packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer. |
| Can you take water through security on flights inbound to the U.S.? | Yes, but duty-free liquids over 3.4 ounces or 100ml must be packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and presented with the original receipt showing the purchase was made within 48 hours. |
| Are there any exceptions for liquids? | Yes, gel ice and freezer packs are permitted if they are frozen solid. Live coral in water, portable electronic devices with non-spillable batteries, and non-infectious specimens in preservative solutions are also allowed with specific packaging requirements. |
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What You'll Learn
Bringing ice through security
Bringing ice through airport security depends on the state of the ice when it is screened. Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If the ice has partially melted and there is liquid at the bottom of the container, then it must meet the standard liquid requirements for carry-on luggage. This means that the liquid must be in a container that is 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less and placed in a quart-sized bag.
It is important to note that even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.
To ensure a smooth experience when bringing ice through airport security, it is recommended to check with the specific airport and abide by any restrictions or limitations they may have in place. Additionally, travellers should be prepared to power up any electronic devices if requested by the TSA officers.
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Rules for liquids in carry-on luggage
For travellers passing through US airports, it is required to drink or discard full water bottles before going through security. However, there are some tricks to get around this. One option is to bring ice through security and fill your water bottle once you have passed through. Another option is to bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up at a water fountain or dispenser after security.
For those travelling to the US with a connecting flight, duty-free liquids of more than 3.4 ounces or 100ml can be carried in your hand luggage if they are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and do not show signs of tampering. The same rules apply to liquids bought on board an aircraft. The bag must be sealed by the cashier, and you must keep the original receipt to show that the liquids were purchased within 48 hours.
For non-US airports, rules vary. Some non-US airports allow bottled water or liquids in carry-on luggage, while others, like Canada and the UK, do not.
There are some exceptions to the rules regarding liquids in carry-on luggage. Live coral in water is allowed, as well as certain non-infectious specimens in preservative solutions, such as formaldehyde, ethanol, isopropanol, or other alcohols, if they are for scientific research and packed in a specific way. Additionally, gel ice and freezer packs are permitted as long as they are frozen solid, and medically-necessary gel ice packs are allowed even if they are melted or slushy.
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Non-US airports and their rules
While the rules for US airports are relatively clear, with travellers being required to drink or discard full water bottles before going through security, the rules for non-US airports seem to vary.
For example, in the UK, travellers are allowed to carry water bottles as long as they are within the existing 100ml container limit in a 1-litre resealable transparent bag. However, one traveller noted that at Heathrow Airport, they were made to walk back through security to dump the ice from their bottle into a sink.
In South America, the rules seem to vary between countries. In Chile, an unopened bottle of water was confiscated at the gate, while in Mexico, travellers have reported not being able to find water fountains or potable tap water, forcing them to pay high prices for water or other beverages.
At Johannesburg's Tambo International Airport in South Africa, travellers are allowed to purchase duty-free liquids exceeding 100ml, as long as they are sealed by the cashier in a security tamper-evident bag. This is in line with a global system developed in 2008 by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which allows for an exemption to liquid volume rules for items purchased at duty-free airport retailers.
Therefore, while there may be some variation, it appears that many non-US airports generally allow travellers to carry sealed water bottles through security, as long as they adhere to container size and bag limits, or purchase them from duty-free shops with proper sealing.
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Exemptions for liquids in duty-free bags
It is important to note that some countries, such as Japan, do not use or accept the ICAO tamper-evident duty-free bag. Therefore, if you are travelling through such countries, it is advisable to wait until you reach your final destination to purchase duty-free liquids or to purchase them on the last leg of your trip to avoid security checkpoints.
For travellers with disabilities and medical conditions, there are additional allowances. TSA allows for liquids needed for medical devices to bypass the 3.4-ounce limit. These include cleaning solutions for mobility aids or distilled water for CPAP machines. It is recommended to declare these items to security officers at the checkpoint and, although not required, documentation can expedite the screening process.
Another exemption to note is that liquids that are completely frozen solid are allowed through security. However, the enforcement of this rule may vary depending on the officer you encounter at the checkpoint.
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Medical exemptions
While most airports require travelers to drink or dispose of any full water bottles before boarding their flight, there are exceptions for passengers who require liquids for medical reasons. This exemption applies to medical-grade water if a doctor has advised drinking specific types of water for health reasons. While a doctor's note is not legally required, it may be helpful to have one on hand in case of resistance from TSA agents. Simply explaining that a physician has recommended specific water for health reasons is often sufficient.
To take advantage of the medical exemption, travelers should bring their own glass or stainless steel bottle filled with medical-grade water and inform TSA agents that they are carrying it for medical purposes. Glass bottles are the best option for purity but should have a protective sleeve to prevent breakage. Stainless steel bottles are lightweight, durable, and free from plastic contamination, making them ideal for travel. High-quality silicone bottles are also an option, as they do not leach harmful chemicals.
It is worth noting that duty-free liquids over 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed on flights inbound to the U.S. if they are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and show no signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening. The original receipt, indicating a purchase within 48 hours, must also be presented. Otherwise, liquids of this size must be packed in checked luggage.
By using the TSA's medical exemption, travelers can maintain their preferred water quality without relying on the water provided on the plane or purchasing plastic-leached bottled water at the airport. This exemption ensures that travelers can stay properly hydrated while adhering to their specific health needs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot take sealed water through TSA security. However, you can bring ice through security, and there may be water fountains or dispensers available after security where you can fill up your bottle.
Yes, if you have a medical condition that requires you to have access to water, you may be able to take sealed water through security. Additionally, if you are travelling with live coral or lobster, you may be able to bring water through security, but it must be in a clear, plastic, spill-proof container.
Duty-free liquids that are more than 3.4 ounces or 100ml must be packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and must not show signs of tampering when presented for TSA screening. You must also have the original receipt for the liquids, showing that the purchase was made within 48 hours.
Some people suggest freezing your water bottle so that it passes through security as ice. However, this may not work if the ice has started to melt, and you may be delayed as security checks what is in your bottle.
