Can I Bring More Than 3 Oz In Carry-On? | Travel Rules

What The 3-1-1 Rule Means Today

The 3-1-1 rule limits liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols in carry-on to containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, all inside one quart-size clear bag. Toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, lotion, hair gel, and similar items all count. At screening, that bag goes on the belt so officers can see it clearly. Bigger bottles stay out of the cabin unless they fit an exception or were bought after security as duty-free in a tamper-evident bag.

Not sure if your item counts as a liquid or gel? If it pours, pumps, spreads, squeezes, smears, or sprays, treat it as part of 3-1-1. That includes items people forget: peanut butter, yogurt, soft cheese, salsa, gravy, creamy dips, gel candles, snow globes, and some cosmetics like liquid foundation or nail polish. When in doubt, use travel bottles or switch to a solid version for the flight.

What Counts As A Liquid Or Gel

Here’s a quick look at how common items are treated when a container is larger than 3.4 ounces:

Bringing More Than 3 Ounces In Carry-On: When It Works

There are narrow paths that let larger containers ride in the cabin. You’ll need to separate these items from your bag, tell the officer you have them, and allow screening. Keep them handy so you can present them without slowing the line.

Medications And Medical Liquids

Liquid medicine, gel packs for medical use, contact lens solution, and similar items are allowed in “reasonable quantities.” You don’t have to stuff them in the quart bag. Tell the officer, place them in a bin, and expect extra screening. Prescription labels help, but they’re not required. Pack only what you need for the trip, and keep backup supplies in checked baggage if you carry a lot.

Baby Formula, Breast Milk, And Juice

Parents and caregivers may carry formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food pouches in whatever amounts the trip requires. These items are screened separately. Ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs used to keep them cold can travel even if partially melted. You can bring breast milk even when flying without your child.

Frozen Items And Solid Foods

Ice packs for food or medicine are fine when frozen solid at the checkpoint. If they’re slushy, they’re treated as liquids and must either meet the exemption above or fit in the quart bag. Frozen foods and solid snacks can ride in carry-on. Saucy or spreadable foods that aren’t frozen solid at screening count as liquids and follow 3-1-1.

Duty-Free Liquids After Security

Buying duty-free after security is the easiest way to carry a full-size bottle onto your first flight. Connecting in the United States? Keep the sealed, tamper-evident bag closed and hold the receipt. At the next checkpoint, officers must see that sealed bag, confirm the purchase date, and screen it. Anything that alarms, looks tampered with, or can’t be screened won’t enter the cabin.

What About Toiletries Above 3 Oz?

Full-size toiletries stay in checked bags. For carry-on, decant into 3.4-ounce travel bottles and pack one tight quart bag per traveler. Solid swaps help: bar shampoo and conditioner, lotion bars, solid perfume sticks, tooth powder, and shaving sticks breeze through. Spray sunscreen and hair spray must be travel size in the cabin. Cap every aerosol and set the nozzle to “lock” to avoid accidental sprays.

Aerosols And Sprays

Personal-care aerosols that are non-flammable and travel size can go in your quart bag. Big cans belong in checked bags, subject to airline quantity caps. Flammable sprays may be restricted or banned. Paints and industrial sprays never belong in carry-on and often can’t fly at all. When in doubt, check the label for hazard symbols and pack it in checked baggage or leave it home.

Perfume And Cologne

Fragrance follows the same rule as other liquids: bottles up to 3.4 ounces go in the quart bag. Large bottles ride in checked baggage or in a duty-free tamper-evident bag from the post-security shop. To avoid leaks, leave air space in refilled atomizers and tape the sprayer.

Checked Bag Vs Carry-On For Big Bottles

For anything over 3.4 ounces that isn’t exempt, checked baggage is the play. Wrap bottles in leakproof bags, cushion them, and place them near the middle of the suitcase. Alcohol adds extra rules based on strength. Beverages over 70% ABV can’t fly at all. Between 24% and 70% ABV, you’re limited to five liters per traveler in unopened retail packaging. Drinks at 24% ABV or less have no volume limit in checked bags, but glass still needs padding.

Pack Smart: Screening Tips That Save Time

Keep your quart bag at the top of your personal item so you can pull it fast. Place exempt liquids, baby items, and medical supplies in a separate pouch. At the belt, put the quart bag and exempt items in their own bin. Tell the officer you have larger liquids for a child or for medical use. Labeling helps you, but officers rely on screening, not labels. Be ready for test swabs of containers, ice packs, and coolers.

Plan refills. Bring an empty bottle and fill it after security. Many airports post water-filler locations on terminal maps. Toiletry bars save space in the liquids bag and can last for many trips. For makeup, choose stick or pressed-powder versions on flight days when possible.

Quick Scenarios And What To Do

You Packed A 6-Ounce Sunscreen

Move it to checked baggage or swap to a travel-size can. If you’re hand-carry only, buy sunscreen after security or at your destination. Solid sunscreen sticks work well for cabin travel.

You Need Liquid Medicine Above 3.4 Oz

Carry the amount you need for the trip in your hand luggage. Place it in a separate bin and tell the officer it’s medicine. Keep it accessible for extra screening. If you’re carrying a large supply, split some into checked baggage in case a bag search delays you at the checkpoint.

You Bought A 1-Liter Duty-Free Bottle On An International Flight

Keep it sealed in the tamper-evident bag with the receipt visible. At your U.S. connection, present it at screening. If the bag looks opened, or the date isn’t within the allowed window, you may need to check it or surrender it.

Your Ice Packs Are Slushy

Slushy packs are treated as liquids. If they’re for baby food or medical needs, declare them for screening. If not, they have to meet 3-1-1. Freeze them solid before you head to the airport.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Forgetting that spreads and sauces count as liquids.
• Leaving large liquid bottles in side pockets where they’re easy to miss.
• Overstuffing the quart bag so it won’t seal.
• Buying duty-free, then opening the tamper-evident bag before a connection.
• Bringing strong alcohol over 140 proof, which isn’t allowed anywhere on the plane.

Final Word

Bring travel sizes in a single quart bag, use exemptions only for genuine needs, and lean on duty-free when you want a full bottle. Anything else belongs in checked baggage. Pack that way and your screening will be smoother and faster, every time.