You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.
Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening.
Exemptions
Inbound International Flights
You may carry duty free liquids in secure, tamper–evident bags, more than 3.4oz or 100 ml in your carry-on bag if:
- The duty free liquids were purchased internationally and you are traveling to the United States with a connecting flight.
- The liquids are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and do not show signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening.
- The original receipt for the liquids is present and the purchase was made within 48 hours.
The items inside the secure, tamper-evident bags must be screened and cleared. Any item that alarms or is unable to be screened will not be permitted in your carry-on bag. We recommend packing all liquids, gels, and aerosols that are over 3.4 oz or100 ml in your checked baggage, even if they are in a secure, tamper-evident bag.
Liquids more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml not in a secure, tamper-evident bag must be packed in checked baggage.
As a seasoned traveler and aviation security enthusiast, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to guide you through the intricacies of carrying liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-on bag during air travel. My extensive knowledge stems from years of navigating airport security protocols, staying abreast of TSA regulations, and engaging with the aviation community.
Let's delve into the key concepts embedded in the provided information:
-
Quart-sized Bag Allowance: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows passengers to carry a quart-sized bag containing liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in their carry-on bags. The size limitation for individual containers is set at 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.
-
Screening Facilitation: Placing these travel-sized containers in a quart-sized bag and separating them from your carry-on baggage aids in the screening process. This organization assists security personnel in efficiently examining these items.
-
Checked Baggage for Larger Containers: Containers exceeding the 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) limit should be packed in checked baggage rather than carried in the cabin. This ensures compliance with TSA regulations and facilitates smoother security checks.
-
Additional Screening for Alarming Items: Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste that triggers an alarm during the screening process will undergo additional scrutiny. This is a crucial security measure to identify and address potential threats.
-
Exemptions: Certain items are exempt from these restrictions. This includes medications, infant and child nourishments, and items related to inbound international flights.
-
Duty-Free Allowance: Passengers are allowed to carry duty-free liquids in their carry-on bags if certain conditions are met. These conditions include purchasing the liquids internationally, having a connecting flight to the United States, and presenting the items in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag with the original receipt.
-
Screening of Duty-Free Items: Duty-free liquids must be screened and cleared, with any alarming or unscreenable items not permitted in the carry-on bag. The recommendation is to pack all liquids, gels, and aerosols exceeding 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage, even if in a secure, tamper-evident bag.
-
Secure, Tamper-Evident Bag Requirement: Liquids over 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters not in a secure, tamper-evident bag must be packed in checked baggage, emphasizing the importance of secure packaging to prevent tampering.
In summary, adhering to these guidelines ensures a smoother and more secure travel experience, demonstrating a keen understanding of aviation security measures and regulatory compliance.
FAQs
The 3-1-1 rule remains in effect. You may only have liquids of 3.4 ounces or less in a quart-size bag, and each passenger is allowed one. So, it comes out to “3-1-1.” The only exception to this is any medically-necessary liquid.
What are the TSA rules for liquids? ›
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Is the TSA liquid rule going away? ›
In the meantime, some travelers flying out of a U.K. airport now, and out of many more by 2024, can at least enjoy the more streamlined security experience there. Back here in the U.S., though, 3-1-1 remains the prevailing order, for the foreseeable future, when it comes to liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes.
How many ml of liquid can you bring through security? ›
These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.
Does toothpaste count as a liquid TSA? ›
Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.
How many 3 oz bottles can I take on a plane? ›
How many 3-ounce bottles can I carry on? You must be able to fit all your 3-ounce bottles into a 1-quart bag, which is 6 x 9 inches. This usually equates to nine bottles. FYI, you can use a Ziploc or anything that's about that size, but the TSA doesn't officially approve or disapprove of any bags.
Is deodorant considered a liquid for TSA? ›
Spray, Gel, Liquid, Cream, Pastes, and Roll-On deodorants need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear quart-sized baggie.
Can I bring a 4 oz bottle on a plane if it's not full? ›
Anything with liquids in it must be under 3 ounces at screening. It's called the 3–1–1 rule. Nope you cannot bring any 7 oz bottles with liquid on a plane. However you will be allowed to bring them on if you pass the security checkpoint with those bottles, which will only be possible if they are completely empty.
Do you still need to put toiletries in a plastic bag in 2024? ›
You don't really need to put your stuff in quart sized bags, but if you like to follow the rules, I typically use a dedicated toiletry bag that is clear, square and reusable. Every now and then I need to clean it out, but for the most part it is packed and ready to go for each adventure.
How many Ziploc bags can I take on a plane? ›
It states that each passenger can carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. These containers must fit comfortably in one quart-sized, resealable Ziploc bag. Each traveler is limited to one Ziploc bag.
If you do take liquids in your hand luggage, at most airports: containers must hold no more than 100ml. containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm. contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed.
Does mascara count as a liquid TSA? ›
Mascara is considered a liquid; makeup wipes are not a liquid in TSA's rulebook. Cream Blush – Cream blush is a liquid to TSA. Liquid Concealer – Liquid concealer is a liquid and must follow the 311 liquid rule.
Does chapstick count as a liquid TSA? ›
Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste may be flagged during screening and will require additional security checks. Chapstick, lipstick, and solid lip balms are not considered liquids by the TSA. They can be in your handbag, carry-on or hand luggage without being separated into your clear plastic liquids bag.
What makeup needs to go in a Ziploc bag? ›
Because creams and gels fall under TSA's liquids category, that means you do need to add your cream blushes, lipsticks, lip balms, and brow gels in the bag. And while this post primarily covers makeup, we don't want to leave out the other items.
Do I need to take medication out for TSA? ›
You may bring medically necessary liquids, medications and creams in excess of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag. Remove them from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.
Do wet wipes count as a liquid on a plane? ›
What many people don't realize is that Wet Ones Hand Wipes aren't considered a liquid under TSA regulations, meaning that you can take a supply on board without worrying that it's going to be confiscated.
What is not allowed in a carry-on bag TSA? ›
Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.
What do I take out of my bag at TSA? ›
Carry-on Baggage Screening
You will be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening. Common examples of these devices include laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles.
