Yes—liquids are allowed: carry-on needs 3.4 oz (100 ml) bottles in one quart bag; bigger containers go in checked, with medical and baby items exempt.
Not Allowed
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On
- 3-1-1 bottles up to 100 ml each
- One clear quart bag
- Pull out at screening
Day bag
Checked
- Full-size liquids okay
- Seal caps and double-bag
- Alcohol limits by ABV
Hold bag
Special Handling
- Duty-free in sealed STEB with receipt
- Frozen items must be solid
- Toiletry aerosols only; no flammables
Exceptions
Carrying Liquids On A Plane: What Counts And What Doesn’t
Liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols in your hand luggage sit under the 3-1-1 rule. That means containers up to 3.4 oz (100 ml) grouped in one clear quart-size bag per flyer. Anything larger belongs in checked bags, unless it’s a medical item or food for an infant. See the official TSA liquids page.
What counts as a liquid? If it can be poured, pumped, sprayed, spread, or smeared, screeners treat it as a liquid. That includes peanut butter, hummus, gels, lotions, mascara, toothpaste, and even snow globes over tiny sizes. Frozen items are fine only when frozen solid at screening; slush pushes them back under 3-1-1 limits.
Liquid Types And Where They Can Go
| Liquid Or Semi-Liquid | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Water, soda, juice | ≤100 ml each in quart bag | Any size; use leak protection |
| Toiletries (shampoo, lotion, toothpaste) | ≤100 ml in quart bag | Any size; tape caps, bag items |
| Medications (liquid, gel, aerosol) | Allowed in “reasonable” amounts; declare for screening | Allowed; keep original labels |
| Baby needs (formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, puree pouches) | Allowed beyond 100 ml; screen separately | Allowed |
| Hand sanitizer | Counts toward 3-1-1 unless local airport posts a temporary exception | Allowed |
| Frozen food/liquids | Allowed only if fully solid at screening | Allowed; freeze packs to control leaks |
| Aerosols (toiletry, non-flammable) | ≤100 ml in quart bag | Allowed with per-person limits |
| Aerosols (flammable, e.g., spray paint) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Alcohol ≤24% ABV (beer, wine) | ≤100 ml in quart bag | Any size |
| Alcohol >24% and ≤70% ABV | ≤100 ml in quart bag | Up to 5 L per person in unopened retail packaging |
| Alcohol >70% ABV | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Duty-free liquids in STEB | Allowed when sealed with receipt; keep sealed for transfers | Allowed |
| Soups, sauces, soft spreads | ≤100 ml in quart bag | Any size |
| Nicotine e-liquid | ≤100 ml in quart bag | Any size; bottles only (no loose batteries here) |
Carry-On Rules: The 3-1-1 Playbook
Pack small bottles, group them in a transparent quart bag, and put that bag at the top of your carry-on. At the belt, pull the bag and place it in a bin. You’re aiming for speed and a clean X-ray view. If a screener wants to swab or test a bottle, that’s normal.
Full-size liquids don’t belong in your cabin bag unless they’re exempt. When in doubt, shift the large bottle into your checked bag before you reach the line.
Exceptions That Beat The 100 Ml Limit
Medications
Prescriptions and over-the-counter liquids, gels, and aerosols are allowed in reasonable amounts. Tell the officer and present them separately for screening. If you prefer not to X-ray a medication, ask for alternate testing. Keep labels and a simple list of names and dosages handy.
Infant And Toddler Food
Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and puree pouches can exceed 100 ml. You don’t need to travel with a child to bring breast milk. Pack cooling aids like ice packs; if they’re slushy, they may get extra screening. TSA pages on breast milk and baby formula explain what to expect at the checkpoint.
Frozen Items
Bring frozen food or ice packs only if fully solid when you reach security. If they’ve turned slushy, they fall under 3-1-1. To keep items solid, chill them hard and limit time out of a freezer before screening.
Checked Baggage: Bigger Bottles, Fewer Headaches
Checked luggage is where full-size shampoos, jumbo lotions, big jars of sauce, and duty-free extras ride with less stress. Wrap caps with tape, then bag items so a leak doesn’t ruin clothes. Stow bottles in the center of the suitcase padded by soft items. Add a large zip bag as a backup liner.
Some liquids and aerosols remain banned even in checked bags. Flammable paint sprays and many solvents can’t fly. Toiletry aerosols that use non-flammable propellant are OK, but there’s a combined quantity cap per traveler, so don’t pack a box full of big cans.
Alcohol, Aerosols, And Items That Trip People Up
Alcohol
Beer and wine are low-alcohol and simple: cabin size must meet 3-1-1; checked bags can hold full bottles. For spirits and liqueurs between 24% and 70% ABV, checked baggage is limited to 5 liters per person in unopened retail packaging. Anything stronger than 70% ABV isn’t permitted in either bag type. The FAA PackSafe chart shows the exact cutoffs.
Aerosols
Hair spray, deodorant, shaving foam, and similar toiletry aerosols follow the same sizing in carry-on as liquids. In checked luggage they’re permitted up to a per-person total; stick to consumer toiletry products and skip anything industrial or flammable.
Duty-Free Liquids On Connections
Buying liquids after security? Keep the sealed Security Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) and the printed receipt. On connections, many airports allow those sealed purchases through re-screening. Break the seal early and you may lose the item at the next checkpoint. EU rules on liquids and STEBs explain how this works.
Taking Liquids In Carry-On And Checked Luggage — Rules
Think of it as two lanes. The cabin lane is small, fast, and strict: tiny bottles inside one clear bag, with a few carve-outs for health and baby care. The hold lane is roomy and calmer: full sizes fit, breakable jars ride cushioned, and the only real worries are leaks and items that trigger hazmat rules.
When choosing a lane, match the item to your plan. If you’ll need it mid-flight or right after landing, portion a 100 ml bottle and keep it in the quart bag. If it’s a family-size shampoo or a jar of sauce, send it in the suitcase with tape and a backup bag. For spirits, check the label for ABV and stay under airline and country limits. For anything pressurized, stick to toiletry-grade cans and skip shop tools.
Handy Rules Of Thumb
- Per person means per traveler, not per bag. One quart pouch each.
- Container size matters, not what’s left inside. A half-full 8 oz bottle fails.
- Security wants visibility. Clear bags, clear labels, and quick access speed things up.
International Notes And Airport Scanner Changes
The 100 ml rule still applies across most airports worldwide. A few hubs with new scanners have trial rules that permit larger carry-on liquids, while others reverted to 100 ml during system adjustments. Because rules vary by country and airport, check your departure airport’s page before you pack. For the UK’s latest guidance, see the GOV.UK liquids page.
Flying back to the United States? U.S. checkpoints continue to enforce the classic 3-1-1 standard for carry-ons, even if your outbound airport allowed bigger bottles. If you bought duty-free on the way, keep it sealed in the STEB until you’re home.
Packing Workflow That Saves Time
Build Your Quart Bag
Line up your must-have liquids, decant into travel bottles, and group them into one sturdy quart pouch. Choose square bottles to save space and labels to prevent mix-ups. Keep the pouch reachable so you can pull it out in seconds.
Protect Your Checked Liquids
Use tape under the cap, then a zip bag, then clothes around the bottle. A small roll of painter’s tape and a few gallon bags live in my suitcase for every trip.
Smart Packing Checklist For Liquids
| Step | Why It Helps | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Decant to 100 ml | Meets 3-1-1 without surprises | Travel bottles with wide mouths don’t leak as easily |
| Use a quart pouch | Faster screening | Hard-sided pouches keep bottles from crushing |
| Tape every cap | Stops loosening from pressure changes | One wrap under the cap works wonders |
| Double-bag checked bottles | Contains leaks | Add a trash bag as a suitcase liner |
| Center heavy bottles | Reduces impact shocks | Wrap in a sweater or shoes for padding |
| Keep receipts for duty-free | Needed with the STEB at re-screening | Leave sealed until your final stop |
| Time your transfers | Extra screening can add minutes | Short layover? Skip a bulky liquid purchase |
Screening, Step By Step
At The Checkpoint
Place your quart bag, laptop, and any exempt liquids in bins. Tell the officer if you’re carrying meds, breast milk, or large infant food. Expect swabs or vapor testing; it’s routine and quick.
If Something Gets Flagged
You can ask for alternate testing on medication or breast milk. If a container won’t pass, you can leave the line, repack, or hand it to a travel companion outside security.
Quick Recap For Flyers
Carry-on: 3-1-1 for regular liquids. Exemptions for meds and infant food. Checked bags take the big bottles, but flammables and very high-proof alcohol are out. Keep duty-free sealed if you connect, and always scan your departure airport’s rules before you close the suitcase.