Yes. Nail polish is allowed in carry‑on bags, but each bottle must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and fit inside your quart‑size 3‑1‑1 liquids bag.
That neat bottle of lacquer can travel with you, yet it rides under strict liquid and flammability rules. The guidelines look picky at first glance, but they’re easy to meet once you know the limits set by the TSA, FAA, and most airlines. This guide walks you through sizes, totals, packing tricks, and those little details that keep your manicure kit from ending up in the security bin.
Quick Rule Snapshot
| Requirement | Carry‑On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Single‑bottle size | ≤ 3.4 oz / 100 ml | ≤ 17 oz / 500 ml |
| Total per person | Must fit in one quart bag (≈ 1 L) | ≤ 68 fl oz / 2 L of all toiletry aerosols & liquids |
| Packaging tip | Stand bottles upright in the bag | Cushion with clothes & seal bottles |
Understanding TSA Limits
The Famous 3‑1‑1 Bag
The TSA lets any polish that meets the ≤ 3.4 oz rule ride inside the clear quart bag with your shampoo and hand sanitizer. Place each bottle with the label facing out so screeners can spot the volume stamp fast. Using the bag is not optional; loose liquids trigger extra screening. TSA’s “3‑1‑1” liquids rule.
Security Check Nuances
Polish rarely sets off alarms, yet officers may swab the cap because lacquers contain solvents. Staying under the volume cap keeps the process quick. If the bottle looks larger than 3.4 oz, the officer can seize it even when the fill line is lower, so stick to travel‑size glass.
FAA Quantity Caps Matter Too
The FAA treats nail polish as a flammable toiletry. All such items together must stay below 2 kg / 2 L in checked bags, with each container capped at 0.5 kg / 500 ml. Typical 0.5‑oz bottles keep you well inside that ceiling. The same limits apply worldwide because most carriers follow FAA or IATA charts.
When packing polish in checked luggage, wrap the necks with tape, slip them into a zip bag, then wedge the bundle between soft layers. Cabin pressure drops can make thin solvent seep past a loose cap, and clothing absorbs mess better than hard objects.
IATA & Global Consistency
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations echo the FAA: toiletry liquids, including nail polish, get a 2 L aggregate and 0.5 L per‑item cap. The group also reminds travelers that airport security screens for the same 100 ml carry‑on rule nearly everywhere. That means a bottle that passes U.S. checks will clear gates in the EU, the UK, Australia, and most other regions.
Some airports ask you to present the quart bag separately, while others leave it inside the suitcase tray. Watch the signs in the queue to stay on pace with local protocol.
Airline Nuances
Each carrier defers to government rules yet may publish an extra reminder page. Reading it saves time if an agent questions your kit. Below is a snapshot of three large U.S. lines.
| Airline | Carry‑On Note | Checked Note |
|---|---|---|
| United | Allows ≤ 3 oz per container | Allows ≤ 16 oz per item, 70 oz total |
| Delta | Follows 3‑1‑1 bag | Same FAA 16 oz / 70 oz totals |
| American | Policy mirrors TSA list | Shows FAA chart in help page |
Smart Packing Steps
Run a leak test. Turn each bottle upside down for ten seconds at home. If the neck stays dry, the seal is good for flight.
Shield glass. Slide bottles into foam toe spacers or wrap them in socks. Hard edges inside a roller bag can crack glass mid‑trip.
Limit heat spikes. Try not to leave polish in a car trunk on the way to the airport. Extreme warmth speeds up evaporation and may warp caps.
Use a spare mini. Decant bold shades into tiny 5 ml bottles. You free space in the 3‑1‑1 bag and carry only what you’ll use on the trip.
Nail Polish Remover & UV Lamps
Remover that contains acetone follows the same 3‑1‑1 rule in the cabin. Bring a travel‑size bottle or packs of soaked pads. Checked‑bag limits are again 500 ml per item and 2 L total.
Small LED or UV curing lamps with built‑in batteries are fine in carry‑on luggage. Spare lithium batteries must ride in the cabin per FAA PackSafe guidelines.
Quick Answers
Will polish bottles explode? No. The glass handles cabin pressure, yet leaks can happen if the cap thread is loose.
Can I bring gel polish? Yes, gel follows the same liquid limit and must fit in the quart bag.
Is duty‑free polish exempt? Sealed duty‑free bags stay sealed until the final leg ends. Keep the receipt handy for transfers.
What about large salon kits? Pack them in checked bags. Stay inside the FAA 2 L aggregate and cushion every bottle.
Do x‑ray machines harm polish? No. Radiation levels are low and do not change the formula or color.
Stick to travel‑size bottles, seal them tight, and store them with the rest of your toiletries. Follow these simple steps and your manicure shades will glide through security right beside you, ready for touch‑ups the minute you land.