Ruth Haines
Sunscreen is an essential item to pack for any trip, but it's important to be aware of the restrictions in place when it comes to taking it through airport security. While you can bring sunscreen on a plane, there are specific rules regarding the type and volume of sunscreen you can carry, and these rules vary depending on whether your luggage will be checked or carried on.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you take sunscreen on a plane? | Yes |
| Are there any restrictions? | Yes |
| What are the restrictions for carry-on luggage? | Sunscreen must be in a travel-sized container of 3.4 fl oz (100 ml) or less. All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be placed in a small bag and separated from carry-on baggage. |
| What are the restrictions for checked luggage? | The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 fl oz) or 500 ml (17 fl oz). |
| Are there any exceptions? | Powder sunscreens are allowed, but if larger than 12 fl oz (350 ml), they should be placed in checked luggage. Solid sunscreen sticks have no restrictions. |
| Are there any local policies to consider? | Yes, there are sunscreen bans in certain places, such as Hawaii, which banned the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate. |
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What You'll Learn
Sunscreen is allowed in carry-on luggage, but it must be under 3.4oz/100ml
Yes, you can take sunscreen through airport security and onto a plane, but there are some restrictions. Sunscreen is allowed in carry-on luggage, but it must adhere to the liquid restrictions. Any liquids, gels, creams, aerosols, or pastes can only be carried in containers with a maximum capacity of 3.4oz/100ml. This rule applies to each individual item. So, if you are taking sunscreen in your carry-on luggage, it must be in a container that is 3.4oz/100ml or less.
This restriction is in place for all liquids, gels, creams, and similar products, and they must all fit into a quart-sized bag. This means you can take multiple items, as long as they are each under 3.4oz/100ml and collectively fit into the quart-sized bag. This bag should be separate from your carry-on luggage and easily accessible to speed up the screening process.
Liquid restrictions are in place for security reasons, and any liquid that alarms during screening will require additional screening and may not be permitted. These rules are enforced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States.
If you are packing sunscreen in a checked bag, the rules are more lenient. Each container must not exceed 0.5kg/18oz or 500ml/17oz. Powder sunscreens are also allowed, but if they are larger than 12oz/350ml, they should be placed in checked luggage.
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Sunscreen in checked luggage must not exceed 18oz/500ml per container
If you're travelling with sunscreen, it's important to be aware of the relevant airport security regulations. While you can bring sunscreen on a plane, there are restrictions on the volume of liquid you can carry through security, and these apply to liquid sunscreens.
Liquid sunscreens are subject to the same liquid restrictions as other toiletry items. For carry-on luggage, liquid sunscreen containers must be 3.4oz/100ml or less. These containers should be placed in a small bag, separate from your carry-on baggage, to facilitate the screening process.
If you're packing liquid sunscreen in checked luggage, the rules are more lenient, but there are still restrictions. Each container must not exceed 0.5kg/18oz or 500ml/17oz. The total aggregate quantity of liquids per person in checked luggage must not exceed 2kg/70oz or 2L/68oz.
It's important to note that these restrictions apply to liquid sunscreens, which include lotions, aerosols, creams, and gels. Powder and solid sunscreen products, such as sticks, are not subject to the same volume restrictions and can be a convenient alternative when travelling.
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Powder sunscreens are allowed but must be under 12oz/350ml
If you're travelling with sunscreen in your carry-on luggage, it's important to be aware of the relevant restrictions and recommendations. Sunscreen is considered a liquid by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), so it falls under the liquid restriction, which is 3.4oz/100ml or less per item for carry-ons. This applies to aerosol, cream, lotion, and gel sunscreens. If you're bringing a powder sunscreen, it must be under 12oz/350ml. Powder sunscreens are allowed but are subject to additional screening if they alarm during security checks. If you don't want to worry about size limits, you can always pack your sunscreen in your checked baggage. The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5kg/18oz or 500ml/17oz for checked bags.
It's worth noting that TSA officers have the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint, and there may be additional restrictions or bans in your destination that you should be aware of. For example, Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. To avoid any issues, it's recommended to use travel-sized containers and follow local policies.
Solid sunscreen sticks and sunscreen face sticks are also great options for travel as they have no TSA restrictions and can be easily carried in your carry-on luggage. These products provide sun protection without the hassle of liquid restrictions.
When packing powder sunscreens, ensure they are easily accessible during security screening to speed up the process. Keep them in a separate bag and consider the overall quantity of powders and liquids you are carrying. The total aggregate quantity of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, cannot exceed 2kg/70oz or 2L/68oz.
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Sunscreen is considered a liquid by the TSA
If you are travelling with sunscreen in your carry-on bag, it is recommended to place liquids in a small, separate bag to facilitate the screening process and make them easily accessible. This helps to speed up the screening process at the airport.
Powder sunscreens are allowed, but if you are bringing a powder larger than 12 ounces (350 milliliters), the TSA recommends packing it in a checked bag. Solid sunscreen sticks are also a good option for travellers as they have no TSA restrictions.
For those who wish to bring full-size bottles of sunscreen, it is recommended to pack them in checked baggage. Each container must not exceed 17 fluid ounces (500 milliliters) or 0.5 kilograms (18 ounces) in volume. The total amount of liquids, including sunscreen, must not exceed 68 fluid ounces (2 litres) or 2 kilograms (70 ounces).
It is important to note that the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the security checkpoint rests with the TSA officer.
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Local policies may ban certain sunscreens
Similarly, the Pacific nation of Palau was the first country to place a ban on certain chemicals found in sunscreens. The ban, which came into effect on January 1, 2020, targets ten chemicals deemed harmful to coral reefs. Some parts of Mexico also ban non-biodegradable sunscreens. For example, in Xel-Ha, a popular tourist area in Rivera Maya, tourists can swap out their sunscreen for a reef-safe variety and get their original product back when they leave. Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park in Cozumel and Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park in Los Cabos also ban any non-biodegradable sunscreens.
Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the environmental impact of sunscreens and to choose eco-friendly alternatives whenever possible, especially when travelling to ecologically sensitive areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take sunscreen through airport security, but there are some restrictions.
Sunscreen is considered a liquid, so it must be in a container of 3.4oz/100ml or less to be taken through security in your carry-on luggage.
The rules for checked luggage are more lenient. Each container must not exceed 0.5kg/18oz or 500ml/17oz.
Powder sunscreens are allowed, but if you're bringing a powder larger than 12oz/350ml, it's recommended you pack it in your checked luggage. Solid sunscreen sticks are another option that has no TSA restrictions.
Yes, consider where you're travelling. There are several sunscreen bans in place, such as the Hawaii sunscreen ban enacted in 2021, which banned the sale of sunscreens with the chemical ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate.
