Yes—liquids can go in checked bags, with size caps for alcohol and aerosols and strict bans on flammables like fuel, bleach, and spirits over 70% ABV.
Checked Liquids At A Glance
Use this quick reference before you start packing. The notes tell you whether you can check the item and what conditions apply.
| Liquid or product | Allowed in checked bag? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water, juice, soft drinks | Yes | Seal well; choose leak-resistant bottles. |
| Toiletry liquids (shampoo, lotion) | Yes | Grouped with aerosols under a combined personal-use allowance. |
| Perfume or cologne | Yes | Treat as a toiletry; pad glass bottles. |
| Aerosol deodorant or hairspray | Yes | Cap the nozzle; per-container and total limits apply. |
| Non-toiletry aerosols (spray paint) | No | Dangerous goods; don’t pack. |
| Cooking oils, vinegar | Yes | Keep upright; double-bag to prevent leaks. |
| Soups, sauces, gravies | Yes | Treat like any liquid; protect containers. |
| Baby formula or breast milk | Yes | Allowed; carry-on is handy if you need access. |
| Liquid medicines | Yes | Permitted; many travelers keep a small supply in hand luggage. |
| Alcohol ≤24% ABV (beer, wine) | Yes | No hazmat cap in checked bags; airline weight limits still apply. |
| Alcohol >24% and ≤70% ABV | Yes | Up to 5 L total per person in unopened retail packaging. |
| Alcohol >70% ABV | No | Forbidden in both checked and carry-on. |
| Bleach, strong cleaners, peroxides | No | Corrosive or oxidizing; never pack. |
| Fuel, lighter refills, paint thinner | No | Flammable; not allowed. |
| Dry ice (to keep items cold) | Yes | Small weight cap and venting/label rules; check your airline. |
Taking Liquids In Checked Luggage: The Ground Rules
Most everyday liquids can ride in the hold. The big exceptions are flammables and corrosives. Two groups also come with size caps: alcohol in stronger strengths and toiletry items that include aerosols and similar products.
Toiletry liquids and aerosols
Shampoo, lotion, perfume, shaving cream, and aerosol deodorant count as personal toiletries. In checked bags they’re grouped under a single allowance. The common cap is no more than 500 ml (about 17 fl oz) per container and a combined total of 2 L (about 68 fl oz) or 2 kg (70 oz) across all such items in your suitcase, including sprays. Snap a cap over every aerosol nozzle to stop accidental discharge. The FAA page for medicinal and toiletry articles lists these limits in plain language.
Alcohol by strength
Rules hinge on ABV. Beer and wine (24% ABV or less) have no hazmat limit in checked bags. Bottles from 24% to 70% ABV are allowed only if they’re in unopened retail packaging, capped at 5 liters per traveler. Anything over 70% ABV (over 140 proof) isn’t permitted in either bag. See TSA’s page on alcoholic beverages for the exact caps and wording.
What’s flat-out banned
Skip liquids that are hazardous even in small amounts. That list includes bleach and strong cleaning agents, fuel and lighter refills, paint thinner, some solvent-based glues, and many non-toiletry aerosols like spray paint. If a label shows flammable, corrosive, poison, oxidizer, or a similar hazard icon, don’t pack it.
Carry-on versus checked
Carry-on liquids usually face tight quantity rules at security, while checked bags don’t use the same tiny bottle limit. If you need a refresher on cabin amounts, read your region’s rules; for the United States, the familiar “3-1-1” appears on TSA’s liquids page. For anything over those carry-on limits, put it in the hold and pack it well.
Tip: Airline baggage pages often mirror international passenger guidance. IATA’s public notes for travelers outline what’s normally accepted worldwide. You’ll find those on IATA’s dangerous goods guidance page.
Bringing Liquids In Checked Baggage On International Flights
The core theme stays the same across regions: toiletries in reasonable amounts are fine in the hold, hazardous liquids are not, and alcohol limits depend on strength. Wording and enforcement can vary by country and by airline. For cross-border trips, check two places: your carrier’s restricted items list and the arrival country’s customs page.
Duty-free and connections
Liquor bought after security can be sealed in a tamper-evident bag for the first flight. If you must re-screen liquids during a connection, the sealed bag may not be accepted everywhere. In that case, place duty-free bottles in a checked bag before the next leg. Keep receipts inside the sealed pouch until you reach your final stop.
Customs and import limits
Checked baggage rules are separate from customs allowances. A country might cap how much alcohol or food you can bring tax-free. If you’re carrying multiple bottles, read the customs page for your destination so the amounts in your suitcase match your declaration.
Packing Liquids So Bags Don’t Leak
Cabin pressure and rough handling can pop a weak cap. A few minutes of prep protects clothing and gear inside the same suitcase.
Build a spill shield
- Pick screw-top bottles over pump caps when you can.
- Tighten lids, then wrap the neck with a loop of tape.
- Place each bottle in a small zip bag, then group similar items in a larger pouch.
- Keep liquids upright in a firm box or corner of the case rather than floating loose.
- Pad glass with soft clothing; avoid placing bottles against case edges.
Think through quantity and headspace
- Leave a little headspace in flexible containers so expansion won’t split seams.
- Don’t overpack toiletries; the 2 L combined cap for toiletries and aerosols fills fast.
- Split liquids between two bags if you’re traveling with a partner to reduce risk.
Cold chain and dry ice
Perishables that must stay cold can travel with gel packs. Some travelers use dry ice, which is permitted in small amounts when the package can vent gas and the bag is labeled. If you choose that route, read your airline’s exact weight cap and wording.
Edge Cases That Trip People Up
Certain items behave like ordinary liquids at home yet fall under special rules in aviation. Here’s how to handle the common troublemakers.
Perfume, nail polish, and remover
These are flammable and classed under the same personal-use allowance as other toiletries. In checked bags, the size and total caps apply, and bottles should be cushioned. In the cabin, small travel sizes must sit inside a clear bag where the rule is enforced.
Aerosol bug spray
Consumer insecticide sprays are often restricted. Many carriers accept them only in checked bags, and only if the can isn’t labeled with extra hazards. If the can lists a flammable propellant or a poison symbol, don’t pack it.
Cooking oil and syrups
These are allowed in the hold and pack much like wine: pad glass, keep upright, and bag them. Thick liquids still leak if caps loosen, so treat them the same way you treat water or juice.
Soups and sauces
Liquids like broth, salsa, gravy, and curry paste often cause confusion at the checkpoint. In checked baggage they’re fine; in the cabin they’re limited by local security rules. Jars need a wrap of plastic and a snug seat inside the case.
Medical liquids
Liquid medicines are allowed in checked bags, and many travelers keep an accessible supply in hand luggage in case a bag is delayed. If you need temperature control or fragile containers, carry them with you.
Second-Half Cheat Sheet: Alcohol And Aerosol Limits
These are the two liquid groups that trigger the most questions. Use this table to double-check the caps before you zip up your suitcase.
| Category | Per container | Per person total |
|---|---|---|
| Toiletry liquids and aerosols in checked bags | ≤ 500 ml (17 fl oz) | ≤ 2 L (68 fl oz) or 2 kg (70 oz) combined |
| Alcohol 24%–70% ABV in checked bags | Factory-sealed retail bottles | ≤ 5 L (1.3 gal) total |
| Alcohol ≤24% ABV in checked bags | Standard retail bottles | No hazmat cap; airline weight limits still apply |
Step-By-Step: Pack A Leak-Resistant Checked Bag
- Lay out every liquid you plan to take. Pull out anything flammable or corrosive that isn’t a toiletry.
- Count your toiletries and sprays against the combined 2 L allowance.
- Move high-value liquids to hand luggage if local rules allow, or protect them in a hard case inside the suitcase.
- Choose containers that seal tightly. Swap pump caps for screw caps where possible.
- Wrap threads with tape and bag each bottle. Squeeze out extra air before zipping each bag.
- Seat liquids upright inside shoes or between firm layers. Avoid packing at the very edge of the case.
- Pad glass with clothing, then place a trash-bag liner over the whole compartment for a last barrier.
- Weigh the suitcase. Heavy bottles add up fast.
- Photograph rare labels for proof in case a break happens.
- Carry a spare pouch for the trip home when you buy sauces, syrups, or wine.
When You Shouldn’t Check A Liquid
Certain liquids can fly in the hold yet still make more sense in the cabin or at home. Skip checking liquids that you can’t replace at your destination, bottles likely to shatter, and anything with a cap you don’t trust. If you’re carrying medicine you may need en route, keep a small supply in your personal item.
Quick Wrap-Up You Can Screenshot
Liquids are generally fine in checked baggage. Pack toiletries and sprays within the combined 2 L limit and keep each container at 500 ml or less. Beer and wine don’t face hazmat caps in checked bags. Spirits from 24% to 70% ABV are limited to 5 L per person and must be sealed. Anything stronger than that is out. Hazardous household liquids like bleach and fuel are out too. For route-specific notes, airlines mirror IATA’s traveler guidance and post any extra house rules on their baggage pages.
Official references: FAA guidance for toiletries and aerosols, TSA rules on alcohol in checked bags, and IATA’s traveler dangerous goods guidance.