Can I Bring Unopened Liquids Through TSA? | Smart Flyer Tips

What “Unopened” Really Means At Security

Seals don’t change the limit. TSA screens the container size, not whether the bottle is factory sealed. If the bottle holds more than 3.4 ounces, it must stay out of your carry-on unless an exemption applies. Size is per item, and all travel-size containers need to fit in a single clear, quart-size bag.

That rule covers liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes. Think water, soda, juice, yogurt, salsa, peanut butter, lotions, shampoos, and similar textures. If it can pour, spread, squeeze, pump, or slosh, the 3-1-1 limit applies.

Quick Reference: Unopened Liquids In Carry-On

Most travelers find the process easier when they pack the quart bag near the top of the carry-on. That keeps the line moving and reduces rechecks. If you’re weighing carry-on space, the 3-1-1 liquids rule summary on our site can help you plan your kit.

You can always confirm the current limits on the official TSA liquids rule page. It spells out the 3.4-ounce container cap, the quart-bag requirement, and the narrow duty-free carve-out for inbound connections.

Yes—There Are Clear Exemptions

Medically Necessary Liquids

Items needed during the flight—like liquid medications, contact lens solution, nutritional drinks, and liquid supplements—can exceed 3.4 ounces in “reasonable quantities.” Remove them from your bag and tell the officer. Screening may include X-ray, swabbing, or opening for a vapor test when feasible. Keep items accessible, and carry a doctor’s note or original packaging to speed things up. TSA outlines the steps on its medication page.

Infant And Child Nourishment

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food pouches are allowed in larger amounts. You can bring a soft cooler, ice packs, or gel packs for temperature control. Present them for separate screening. You don’t need to travel with a child to carry breast milk; see the TSA’s page for baby formula and breast milk rules.

Inbound Duty-Free Liquids In A STEB

There’s one narrow path for unopened full-size bottles to stay in carry-on: duty-free liquids packed in a secure, tamper-evident bag (STEB) when you bought them abroad and you’re connecting through a U.S. airport. The bag must be sealed, the receipt must be visible, and the purchase must be within 48 hours. TSA still screens the item; if it alarms or looks tampered with, it won’t pass.

TSA Basics For Unopened Liquids (Carry-On Vs. Checked)

Carry-on screening is about quick threat detection. That’s why container size and bagging are strict. Checked baggage screening can handle larger volumes, so full-size toiletries or beverages belong there. Watch airline weight limits and any alcohol caps for checked bags.

Bringing Unopened Liquids Through TSA: Smart Packing Steps

1. Set aside travel sizes. Pick 3.4-ounce bottles or smaller, then load a single quart bag.
2. Stage medical and infant items. Keep them separate from the quart bag so you can declare them.
3. Empty your reusable bottle. Fill it after security from a fountain or cafe.
4. Keep the quart bag reachable. Top layer of your carry-on saves time at the belt.
5. Know your airport. Some checkpoints with CT scanners don’t require removing the quart bag, but the size limits still stand.
6. For connections with duty-free, keep the STEB sealed. Make the receipt visible and avoid layovers longer than two days.

Close Variant: Bringing Unopened Liquids Through Airport Security

This is the same core question with different wording. Security cares about container size and screening, not whether the cap is sealed. Unopened containers over the limit get turned away unless they fit one of the listed exemptions. If you’re unsure about a gray-area item, think “can it spread or pour?” If yes, treat it as a liquid or gel.

Edge Cases That Trip People Up

“Solid” Foods That Act Like Liquids

Many snacks blur the line. Hummus cups, creamy cheese, dips, peanut butter, yogurt, and applesauce act like liquids. Keep each container at 3.4 ounces or smaller for the quart bag, or shift them to checked baggage. Hard cheese, granola bars, and whole fruit don’t pose the same issue on domestic routes.

Canned Liquids And Vacuum-Sealed Pouches

Unopened soup cans or foil pouches still count as liquids. The container size controls the decision, so a 10-ounce can doesn’t pass carry-on screening. Pack it in checked baggage or buy it post-security.

Alcohol In Carry-On

Miniature bottles that are 3.4 ounces or less can ride in the quart bag. Anything stronger than 70% ABV is banned from both carry-on and checked bags. Airlines also prohibit self-serving alcohol on board, so leave minis sealed during the flight. See TSA’s page for alcoholic beverages.

Frozen Liquids

Ice packs tied to infant feeding or medicine are fine. A frozen drink counts as a liquid if it has thawed to any slushy state during screening. If you want to bring a smoothie through, portion it into travel sizes.

Table: Unopened Liquids—What Goes Where?

Make The Checkpoint Easy

Map Your Kit

Put the quart bag in an outer pocket. Keep a small pouch for medical or infant items, plus printed prescriptions if you have them. That layout speeds up the declaration and reduces re-scans.

Buy After Security When Possible

Anything purchased post-screening can ride on the plane, including full-size water and coffee. For long layovers, refill a bottle to save cash and plastic.

Mind Connections With Duty-Free

If you’re landing in the U.S. and connecting onward, keep duty-free bottles sealed inside the STEB until you reach your final stop. If a screener needs to open the bag, ask for it to be re-sealed with TSA tape before you exit the secure area.

Fast Answers To Popular Scenarios

Sealed Water Bottle From Home

A full 500 ml bottle won’t pass the checkpoint. Finish it in line or empty it, then refill after screening. Many terminals have fountains near the gates.

Unopened Wine As A Gift

Carry-on only works when it stays sealed inside a STEB and you’re connecting through the U.S. after an international purchase within 48 hours. For a domestic start, place wine in checked baggage with padding.

Bringing Minis For A Celebration

Small alcohol bottles can sit in the quart bag if each is 3.4 ounces or less and under 70% ABV. Airlines forbid self-service. TSA states the limits on its page for alcoholic beverages.

Some lanes use CT scanners. You may keep the quart bag inside your carry-on; the 3.4-ounce cap still applies at all checkpoints.

Policy Sources At A Glance

TSA publishes the 3-1-1 rule, exemptions for medical items and infant feeding, and the duty-free STEB allowance for inbound international connections. Airline cabin service rules cover alcohol consumption during flight. You can also scan the TSA “What Can I Bring?” tool when you face a new product at packing time.

Want a full walk-through for longer trips? Try our short guide on liquids in checked bags before you zip up.