Can you carry liquids in your checked luggage

Alcoholic beverages: beverages with 24%–70% alcohol by volume are limited to 5 liters per passenger in unopened retail packaging when placed in hold baggage; products above 70% ABV are prohibited from passenger aircraft. Beverages at 24% ABV or less are generally not restricted by federal aviation security, though local import allowances and airline policies may still apply.

Medications, baby formula and medical supplies: keep essential prescriptions and baby food in hand baggage rather than in the hold; liquid medicines that exceed cabin limits must be declared to security with supporting documentation. Electronic nicotine devices and spare lithium batteries are forbidden in the aircraft hold and must remain in the cabin.

Packing technique: seal caps with tape, place containers inside sealed plastic bags, wrap bottles in clothing or use dedicated leakproof pouches, and place heavier bottles upright in the center of the suitcase. Partially filled bottles should retain a small air gap to accommodate pressure changes; replace damaged or corroded caps before travel.

Aerosols, solvents and hazardous fluids: many spray products, fuel, paint, bleach and solvent-based cleaners are restricted or forbidden in hold baggage under IATA dangerous-goods rules–check the airline’s hazardous-goods guidance before packing. When in doubt, consult the carrier’s list or the national aviation authority to confirm whether a specific product is permitted.

Customs and international limits: allow for destination import allowances and taxes on alcohol, perfume and other taxable fluids; duty-free purchases still must meet airline and aviation-regulatory transport rules. When transporting commercially sealed bottles, retain receipts and original packaging to simplify inspections.

Always verify the airline’s policy and the applicable national aviation authority guidance for the route before packing fluids for checked travel.

Which fluids are permitted in hold baggage and airline quantity limits

Pack personal care bottles, perfume and alcoholic beverages for stowed bags, using sealed containers and protective cushioning; follow the alcohol-by-volume and hazardous-goods rules below.

• Alcoholic beverages

  • Up to 24% ABV: generally no per-passenger quantity restriction for stowed bags.
  • More than 24% and up to 70% ABV: maximum 5 litres per passenger, in unopened retail packaging.
  • More than 70% ABV: not permitted for transport by passengers.

• Toiletries and cosmetics

  • Shampoo, conditioner, creams, gels and sunscreen are normally accepted in stowed bags in larger container sizes than allowed in cabin; secure lids and place in sealed plastic to limit spillage.

• Perfumes and aerosols

  • Perfume bottles are permitted when protected from breakage.
  • Personal-care aerosols (deodorant, hairspray) are usually allowed, but flammable aerosols (spray paint, insecticides, pepper spray) are forbidden.

• Medicines, baby food and special dietary items

  • Prescription medicines and necessary baby supplies are permitted in reasonable amounts; keep prescriptions or medical notes handy for inspection.

Items prohibited or subject to strict controls in stowed bags:

• Petrol, lighter refills, camping-fuel canisters, paint thinners, solvents and most flammable solvents or fuels – forbidden.
• Explosives, fireworks, tear gas, most oxidisers and corrosive chemicals – forbidden.
• Alcoholic products above 70% ABV – forbidden.
• Spare lithium batteries and power banks – must be transported in cabin baggage only; protect terminals and keep in original packaging or insulated each terminal.
• Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices – most carriers require these to be kept in the cabin switched off; they are frequently prohibited in stowed compartments.
• Compressed-gas cylinders (scuba tanks, non-empty) require airline approval and specific documentation and handling; many carriers prohibit loose pressurised containers.

Practical recommendations

1. Place bottles upright inside resealable plastic bags, pad glass with clothing and position in the suitcase centre.
2. Keep receipts for duty-free alcohol and keep unopened retail packaging if transporting beverages subject to the 5-litre rule.
3. Declare any hazardous or unusual items to the carrier at check-in; follow airline instructions for packing and documentation.
4. Confirm carrier and departure/arrival authority rules for aerosols, batteries and gas cylinders before travel to avoid refusal at the counter.

How to pack and seal bottles to prevent leaks and pressure damage

Leave 10–20% headspace in containers, tighten caps to the manufacturer’s torque, then wrap the cap and neck with stretch cling film and tape to form a secondary seal.

Pressure and fill guidelines

Aircraft cabin/hold pressure typically equals about 0.75 atm (approx. 6,000–8,000 ft equivalent); trapped air expands at altitude and with temperature swings. Use these fill targets: non-carbonated, rigid plastic or metal bottles – fill to 90% max (10% headspace); glass bottles – fill to 80–85% (15–20% headspace). Avoid packing carbonated beverages unless in pressure-rated containers designed for transport; if transported, leave a minimum 20% headspace and use metal cans rather than glass.

Step-by-step sealing and packing method

Materials: stretch cling film, PTFE (plumber) tape or silicone O-ring, heavy-duty resealable freezer bag, absorbent pad or small towel, bubble wrap or neoprene sleeve, rigid outer container (plastic bottle case or small hard box), packing tape.

Procedure: 1) Wipe bottle neck dry. 2) If reusing a cap, fit a food-grade silicone O-ring or wrap threads with PTFE tape to improve the seal. 3) Apply one full layer of cling film directly over the cap and down the neck, then screw cap on and add another wrap. 4) Seal the cap seam with a strip of packing tape or use a tamper-evident heat-shrink band. 5) Place the bottle upright in a heavy-duty freezer bag, add an absorbent pad or towel, expel excess air and double-bag. 6) Surround the bagged bottle with clothing or foam and put into a rigid outer container; secure the container center of the suitcase to minimize crushing and impact. 7) For glass, add at least 2–3 cm of cushioning at both base and shoulder; for multiple bottles use individual compartments or dividers to prevent contact.

Extra measures: use PET or aluminum travel bottles for higher resilience; consider commercially available leakproof travel bottles with internal seals; label packages with “fragile” and place stiffer items beneath to reduce direct pressure on caps. If an item is of high value or contains volatile contents, ship via courier with temperature control instead of placing in a checked hold.

Which fluids require airline approval or are forbidden and how to declare them

Declare flammable, oxidizing, corrosive, toxic, radioactive and infectious fluids to the carrier well before travel; many such items are forbidden unless accepted under Dangerous Goods rules.

Common categories that are forbidden or need approval

Alcohol: Ethanol/ethyl alcohol above 70% ABV is prohibited from passenger baggage. Beverages 24–70% ABV are allowed in hold baggage only in original, unopened retail packaging and limited to 5 L per passenger; below 24% generally unrestricted.

Fuels and solvents: Petrol, kerosene, lighter refills, camping gas, paint thinners, acetone and similar flammable solvents are forbidden unless shipped as freight with hazardous-goods documentation.

Oxidizers and peroxides: Hydrogen peroxide solutions above ~8% (typical household threshold) and other oxidizers require airline acceptance or are prohibited.

Corrosives and strong acids/alkalis: Concentrated bleach, battery acid, strong detergents and similar substances are either forbidden or require special approval and packaging.

Infectious materials and clinical samples: Category B biological substances (UN3373) require triple packaging, proper labeling and prior notification; Category A pathogens require full DGR handling and are often refused for carriage by passengers.

Compressed or pressurised aerosols and sprays: Flammable-propellant aerosols are generally forbidden; medicinal/toiletry aerosols may be accepted with restrictions and airline approval.

Other regulated fluids: Radioactive solutions, certain pesticides, industrial chemicals and fuel additives fall under dangerous-goods controls and need carrier acceptance or must travel as cargo.

Exact declaration procedure and required documentation

Contact the airline’s dangerous-goods / special items desk by phone or email at least 48 hours before departure and provide full details: product trade name, UN number (if known), net quantity per container, total quantity, packaging type, and purpose (e.g., medicinal, commercial sample). Retain written approval or acceptance code.

At check-in present originals of: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS), manufacturer’s labelling, proof of purchase or commercial invoice, and any medical prescription or physician’s letter for therapeutic fluids. For biological samples supply packaging certification and handling instructions.

If acceptance is granted the agent will annotate the booking or baggage paperwork (dangerous-goods notation, approval code or special handling tag). If no acceptance is possible, arrange carriage via airline cargo with a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods and proper DG packaging/labels.

Practical tip: allow extra time at the airport for inspection, keep all paperwork accessible at check-in, and do not place regulated substances in bags without prior airline approval.

How to transport medications, baby formula, and alcoholic beverages in aircraft hold

If medications or infant feeding supplies must travel in the aircraft hold, follow strict packing, documentation, and protection steps below.

Medications: keep prescription drugs in original pharmacy containers with clear labels and bring at least one photocopy of prescriptions and a concise physician note (English preferred). Injectable drugs and syringes should be declared at check-in and stored in rigid, puncture-resistant containers; place syringes inside sealed plastic bags with prescription documentation. Temperature-sensitive items (insulin, biologics): use insulated coolers designed for travel with non-liquid cold packs that remain frozen or phase-change packs rated for medical transport; do not use dry ice unless airline approval and proper labeling are obtained. Pad vials with foam or bubble wrap, place inside a hard-sided case, and seal that case inside a waterproof zip bag to prevent contamination if a leak occurs.

Infant formula: powdered formula in unopened factory packaging is safest for the hold; if pre-mixed ready-to-feed formula or expressed milk is transported, keep bottles capped and double-bagged in waterproof pouches. Include extra sealed containers of powder and a purchase receipt for international transfers to simplify border inspection. For transfers between terminals or temporary storage before a flight, consider secure short-term options such as best luggage storage dallas worth texas or use a rugged carry solution like a best expedition backpack when a personal cabin option is unavailable.

Alcoholic beverages: comply with international transport rules–beverages under 24% alcohol by volume present no special carriage limits; between 24% and 70% ABV are limited to 5 litres per passenger and must remain in original retail packaging; beverages above 70% ABV are prohibited from passenger baggage. Always keep bottles sealed, in retail boxes if possible, and pack each bottle in individual protective sleeves or wrap in multiple layers (bubble wrap + waterproof zip bag) and position them centrally inside suitcases surrounded by soft garments. Use strong tape over screw caps and avoid removing original seals. Check import allowances at destination and retain receipts for duty-free purchases; declare quantities that exceed local duty-free limits on arrival forms.

Pressure and breakage mitigation: leave a small air gap in plastic bottles to accommodate cabin-to-hold pressure changes; do not overfill glass containers. Place fragile bottles upright in the suitcase center, surrounded by compressible material. For high-value medications or bottles, use purpose-built bottle protectors or a small hard case inside a larger bag. Avoid placing tripods or rigid gear directly atop medical packs to prevent punctures–tripod compatibility and sizing tips available at are digital camera tripods universal.

Operational steps at check-in: declare syringes and temperature-sensitive drugs to airline staff, request handling notes for fragile/temperature items, and obtain written confirmation if special handling is agreed. When delay or storage before departure is required, prefer certified short-term storage services referenced above rather than leaving vulnerable medical supplies loose in transit.