Yes—alcohol can go in hand luggage in sealed 100 ml bottles under the liquids rule; larger bottles only when bought duty-free in a STEB and kept sealed.
Not Allowed
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On • Checked • Special
- Carry-on: 100 ml per item in 1-quart bag.
- Duty-free over 100 ml: keep in STEB on connections.
- Never drink your own; crew must serve.
Bag Types
USA • EU/UK • Airline
- USA (TSA): 3-1-1 applies; STEB allowed inbound.
- EU/UK: 100 ml at many airports; some now allow larger limits with new scanners.
- Airline: crew service only; some cap total minis.
Regions
How To Pack
- Keep bottles sealed in retail packaging.
- Pad in zip bag; stand upright.
- Keep receipt with duty-free STEB.
Packing
Carry Alcohol In Hand Luggage: What Works
Think of two buckets. Small bottles that follow the 100 ml liquid limit. Large duty-free that stays sealed in a tamper-evident bag while you change planes.
Every airport screens liquids. In the United States that means the 3-1-1 rule. In the UK and most of Europe, the 100 ml limit still applies at many airports, even as new scanners roll in. Your bag must pass the local checkpoint on the day you fly.
Carry-On Scenarios And Outcomes
The table below turns common situations into quick yes, no, or conditional answers.
| Scenario | Carry-On Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beer or wine in 187 ml mini cans | No (over 100 ml) | Pack in checked or buy after security. |
| Spirit minis (50 ml each) | Yes | All bottles must fit in one quart bag. |
| One 750 ml bottle bought before security | No | Exceeds liquid limit; use checked baggage. |
| One 1 L duty-free bottle on an international connection | Yes, conditional | Keep sealed inside a STEB with receipt until final stop. |
| Any drink over 70% ABV (140 proof) | No | Not permitted in cabin or hold. |
| Homemade spirits in an unmarked jar | No | Must be in unopened retail packaging. |
| Opened bottle from a hotel room | No | Open containers are not allowed. |
| Frozen cocktail pouch, partly thawed | No | Still a liquid or gel at screening time. |
Airport Security Rules That Control Booze In Bags
Cabin limits are a liquid rule first, an alcohol rule second. If the container holds 100 ml or less, it can sit in your one-quart bag with toiletries. If it holds more than 100 ml, it must be bought airside and sealed in a STEB for any transfers. The European Commission explains how STEB packaging keeps duty-free moving through checkpoints between flights.
Rules also split by strength. Drinks over 70% ABV are off the table completely. Between 24% and 70% ABV, airlines allow only sealed retail bottles, with quantity caps in checked bags; for the cabin, size still can’t exceed 100 ml unless it is duty-free and sealed. Beer, cider, and wine sit under 24% ABV and face the same 100 ml cabin limit, without the quantity caps that apply in the hold.
The 100 Ml Limit And Duty-Free STEBs
A STEB is a clear, tamper-evident bag used by airport shops. If you buy a bottle after security and you have a connection, keep the STEB closed and the receipt visible. In the United States, TSA allows duty-free liquids over 100 ml on inbound connections when sealed in a STEB and purchased within 48 hours. Many European airports follow the same approach under ICAO guidance.
Bring the bottle home, then open it. If you break the seal before your final screening, the item becomes a normal liquid and will fail the 100 ml limit at the next checkpoint.
Carrying Alcohol In Your Hand Luggage: Rules That Matter
This section puts the core points in plain terms so you can plan with confidence.
Size And Strength
Carry-on needs 100 ml containers or a sealed duty-free STEB while you connect. Nothing over 70% ABV belongs in any bag. That includes grain alcohols and 151-proof rums.
Who Can Serve Alcohol On Board
Only the cabin crew. U.S. law bars passengers from drinking their own supply in flight. Most do.
Retail Packaging And Labels
Screeners look for retail packaging and a clear label. Refilled flasks, unmarked jars, or homemade bottles prompt a quick no. Duty-free bottles come sealed and labeled, which speeds screening on connections.
Packing Tips To Prevent Leaks And Fines
Seal, Cushion, Position
Use a small zip bag for every group of minis. Wrap glass in soft layers so caps don’t rub loose. Stand bottles upright in a tote sleeve to avoid rolling. A little tape around a cap adds peace of mind.
Protect Duty-Free On Connections
Carry the STEB as the shop gives it to you. Keep the receipt visible inside the bag. Don’t add other items to that pouch. If a screener needs to inspect the bottle, ask for a fresh STEB after the check.
Common Edge Cases
Low-Alcohol Drinks And Mixers
Seltzers, hard kombucha, and wine spritzers sit under 24% ABV. The same liquid rule applies. If the can or bottle is over 100 ml, buy it after security or pack it in the hold.
Gifts And Specialty Bottles
Large formats such as magnums look great on a shelf, not at a checkpoint. Pack them in checked baggage with padding. Many shippers sell molded bottle sleeves that help stop cracks during handling.
Local Laws At The Destination
Cabin rules are one thing; customs allowances are another. Your destination may cap the duty-free volume you can bring through arrivals. Check the country’s allowance before you shop so you don’t pay extra tax on landing.
ABV And Packaging Cheat Sheet
Match strength and container to the right bag. This cheat sheet keeps it tidy.
| ABV Band | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24% (beer, cider, wine) | Only up to 100 ml per item unless duty-free in STEB on a connection | No set FAA cap by volume; pack well |
| 24–70% (most spirits, liqueurs) | Only up to 100 ml per item unless duty-free in STEB on a connection | Up to 5 L per person in unopened retail bottles |
| Over 70% (140+ proof) | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Opened containers | Not permitted | Seal is broken; pack tightly or discard |
| Homemade or unlabeled | Not permitted | Usually refused by airlines |
Real-World Routing Examples
USA Domestic, No Connections
You want to fly from Dallas to Denver with four 50 ml minis. Place them in your quart bag next to your toothpaste. That’s it. The bottles meet the size cap and ride through security with toiletries.
International Trip With A Connection
You buy a one-liter whisky in the duty-free at your departure airport. You have a connection in Chicago on the way home. Ask the shop for a STEB and keep the seal intact. The receipt must be visible and dated within 48 hours. In Chicago you can transit security with that sealed bag, then open it once you reach your final stop.
UK Departure To An EU City
Your UK airport screens liquids with the 100 ml cap. A 250 ml craft-gin gift from town won’t pass pre-security. Buy the bottle after security instead, or place it in checked baggage. For the cabin, stick to minis that fit the limit.
Why Crew Must Serve
Safety laws put alcohol service in the hands of the airline. In the U.S., 14 CFR § 121.575 says passengers may not drink liquor they bring on board. Flight attendants also must refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated. Most do. Bring minis for the hotel, not the aisle seat.
Mistakes That Trigger A Bag Search
- Loose mini bottles rolling around outside the quart bag.
- Duty-free with a broken STEB seal before your final screening.
- Foil-wrapped gift packs that hide the bottle’s size or label.
- Home-bottled spirits with no proof of source or ABV.
Bitters, Extracts, And Other Oddballs
Angostura-style bitters and baking extracts often carry a high ABV. Many bottles are 118 ml or larger, which fails the 100 ml cap. Look for travel-size versions if you need them in the cabin. For bigger bottles, use checked baggage or buy them after security and keep the STEB sealed on any connection.
Quick Preflight Checklist
- Count your minis. All must fit in one quart bag next to toiletries.
- For connections with duty-free, keep the STEB sealed until your last screening.
- Skip bottles over 70% ABV entirely.
- Expect crew-only serving. Your stash stays closed on board.
- Add padding so caps don’t weep under cabin pressure.
That’s it. Small bottles in the quart bag or sealed duty-free on transfers. Keep labels clear, seals intact, and service left to the crew. Your hand luggage can carry alcohol when you match these simple rules to your route. One more tip: photograph receipts and STEB labels before you board. If a seal tears during a gate search, you can show when and where the item was bought and ask the agent to place it in a fresh STEB. That simple step saves a prized bottle and keeps your trip smooth. Back it up to email for easy access.