Can you take large liquids in checked luggage

Recommendation: Store containers larger than 100 ml inside the aircraft hold rather than the cabin carry-on; security checkpoints limit each container in carry-on to 100 ml and require all such items to be in a clear resealable bag. For quantities intended for the hold, follow airline and national dangerous-goods rules and airline-specific size/weight allowances.

Alcohol rules (practical summary): Beverages under 24% ABV face no special volumetric cap for checked/hold baggage; beverages 24–70% ABV are permitted but generally limited to 5 litres per passenger in original retail packaging; beverages above 70% ABV are prohibited in both cabin and hold per international dangerous-goods standards.

Prohibited or restricted fluid types for carriage in the aircraft hold include: flammable fuels and solvents (gasoline, paint thinners), oxidizers and peroxides, most aerosol products with flammable propellants, pressurized canisters containing lighter refills or butane, and containers that are not in retail or leakproof packaging. Certain toiletries and non‑flammable cleaning agents are normally allowed if sealed and cushioned.

Packing checklist: place each bottle in a sealed plastic bag, pad with absorbent material, cap tightly and store upright inside a hard-sided case or centre of the suitcase to reduce crushing. Keep receipts or original retail packaging for high-value or restricted items and declare items at check‑in if the carrier’s form asks for dangerous-goods contents. When in doubt, contact the airline’s dangerous-goods office or consult the departure airport’s security guidance before travel.

Airlines and countries permitting containers above 100 ml in hold baggage

Recommendation: Most major carriers and national aviation authorities allow fluid containers above 100 ml in hold baggage, provided dangerous-goods rules are respected (alcohol strength, aerosols, pressurised cans and flammables are the common limits).

Key legal datapoints to apply across airlines and jurisdictions: alcoholic beverages 24%–70% ABV are usually restricted to 5 L per passenger in unopened retail packaging in hold baggage; beverages over 70% ABV are typically prohibited from passenger carriage; aerosols and pressurised toiletries are governed by dangerous-goods regulations and may be limited or disallowed depending on formulation. Always consult the carrier’s hazardous-goods page before packing.

Packing recommendations for hold baggage: place each container in a sealed plastic bag, cap securely, surround with soft clothing, and put fragile bottles in the center of the suitcase or checked item. For alcohol purchases above permitted quantities or for professional/commercial volumes use freight/courier services and obtain required permits. If uncertain, present the item at airline check‑in for inspection and explicit approval.

For bulky travel accessories unrelated to carriage rules, compare offers such as this best deal cantilever umbrella before deciding whether to pack or ship the item separately.

How to pack oversized bottles to prevent leaks, spills and pressure damage

Keep bottles inside a rigid, watertight secondary container and allow 10–20% headspace for thermal expansion.

Sealing and secondary containment

Tighten factory caps, wrap the cap and neck with several layers of cling film, then apply waterproof tape (3–5 cm strip around cap). Place each bottle into a heavy-duty resealable bag (3–5 L size), add 2–3 sheets of absorbent paper towel or a microfiber cloth around the base, expel excess air and seal. Double-bagging provides a redundant barrier; put the sealed bag into a second oversized zip pouch or a sealed plastic tub with a snap-on lid.

For homemade or transferred fluids leave 10–20% headspace; for factory-sealed commercial bottles leave them unopened. Avoid using loose screw-top lids without a liner; replace weak lids with a cap that has an integrated gasket if available.

Placement, padding and handling inside a suitcase

Place containers in a hard-sided suitcase or rigid crate, centered between soft clothing layers so there is at least 2–3 cm of padding on every side. Use padded bottle sleeves, wine skins, or 2–3 turns of bubble wrap around the body, plus a foam wedge or a folded towel tucked under the neck to keep the bottle upright. Keep heavy or sharp items away from the sealed container; place fragile markings on the outer case and position the container in the middle of the case rather than near the shell.

Use a rigid outer box (food-grade plastic tub or small storage crate) for multiple bottles; fasten the lid with strong packing tape and secure the box to other contents to prevent shifting. Carry a spare resealable bag and a small pack of absorbent wipes in hand baggage for emergency containment. For transport of cleaning fluids or items used with pressure washers, verify seals and local service options: best pressure washer repair near me.

What alcoholic beverages are allowed in the aircraft hold: volume, ABV limits and customs declaration

Keep spirits above 70% ABV out of the aircraft hold – those are prohibited for air transport and will be refused or confiscated.

• 0–24% ABV: Not classified as dangerous goods by IATA; no air-transport-specific quantity limit (subject to carrier weight/size allowances and destination customs rules).
• 24–70% ABV: Permitted in the aircraft hold but generally limited to 5 litres per passenger total in unopened, original retail packaging (per IATA/TSA guidance). Exceeding that amount may be refused by the carrier.
• >70% ABV: Forbidden on both cabin and hold. Examples: high‑proof neutral spirits, overproof rum, certain bottled extracts above 70% will not be accepted for air transport.

Packaging and proof:

• Bottles should remain in sealed retail packaging with visible ABV labeling; carriers and security officers rely on the label to determine classification.
• Keep receipts or purchase invoices for duty‑free goods and high‑value bottles; customs officers may request proof of purchase and origin.

Customs allowances and declaration (examples):

• European Union (entering from outside EU): Typical allowance for personal importation without duty – either 1 litre of spirits (over 22% and up to 70% ABV) OR 2 litres of fortified wine (15–22% ABV) OR 4 litres of still wine OR 16 litres of beer. Quantities above these must be declared and duty paid.
• United Kingdom (arriving from outside UK): Similar framework to the EU: 1 litre of spirits (22–70% ABV) OR 2 litres fortified wine OR 4 litres still wine OR 16 litres beer duty‑free; anything above requires declaration.
• United States: Common federal informal allowance is 1 litre per adult (21+) duty‑free; state laws and taxes vary widely. All alcohol brought into the country must be declared; excess is subject to duty and possible state restrictions.
• Canada: For absences of 48 hours or more the personal exemption commonly accepted is 1.5 litres of wine OR 1.14 litres of spirits OR 24×355 mL beer (approx. 8.5 litres). Shorter absences carry reduced or no exemption. Declare amounts above the exemption.
• Australia: Duty‑free concession for adults (18+) is generally 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages. Amounts exceeding concession must be declared and duties paid.

Declaration rules and penalties:

• Declare all alcohol that exceeds the destination’s duty‑free allowance on arrival forms. Failure to declare may lead to seizure, fines or prosecution.
• When quantities exceed personal import limits, expect duties, GST/VAT and possible inspection; commercial‑quantity imports typically require customs broker handling and additional permits.

Quick checklist before travel:

1. Confirm ABV on bottle label; do not attempt to transport >70% ABV via air.
2. Keep bottles sealed in original retail packaging and carry receipts for duty‑free purchases.
3. Check destination customs allowances and declare any excess on arrival declarations.

Which fluids are prohibited or require airline approval (aerosols, fuels, cleaning chemicals)

Do not place flammable fuels, pressurised gas cartridges or concentrated industrial cleaners in hold baggage unless explicit airline approval and a proper dangerous‑goods shipment is arranged.

Regulatory framework: Items governed by ICAO Technical Instructions and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations are usually listed under UN classes – Class 1 (explosives), Class 2 (gases), Class 3 (flammable liquids), Class 5.1/5.2 (oxidizers/organic peroxides), Class 6 (toxic), Class 8 (corrosive). If an item has a UN number or appears on an SDS as hazardous, transport via regular checked bags is typically forbidden or requires carrier acceptance and documentation.

Aerosols: Consumer personal-care sprays (deodorant, hair spray) that are non‑flammable and in retail packaging are sometimes accepted in passenger baggage within strict quantity/mass limits; many carriers impose a per‑can maximum around 0.5 kg net and a small total per passenger, but limits vary by airline and destination. Flammable aerosols (hydrocarbon, alcohol or gas‑propelled) are often restricted to dedicated dangerous‑goods cargo only and will require airline acceptance, special packing and declaration.

Fuels and gas cartridges: Petrol, kerosene, diesel, paint thinner, lamp oil and other Class 3 solvents are prohibited from passenger hold stowage. Butane/propane cartridges, lighter refills and fuel containers under pressure fall under Class 2 or 3 and are normally forbidden; even “empty” containers with residual vapour are not acceptable. Camping‑stove fuel must be shipped via a certified hazardous‑goods carrier with proper labels and paperwork.

Cleaning chemicals and solvents: Concentrated bleach, ammonia solutions, strong acids/bases, industrial degreasers and solvent‑based cleaners are often Class 6 or 8 and will be refused without DG handling. Mild household detergents and diluted cleaners in retail bottles are frequently permitted if packaging is intact and the product is not classified as hazardous on its SDS; when concentrated formulations are involved, arrange transport as hazardous cargo.

Practical steps: inspect the safety data sheet for UN number/classification; if hazardous, contact the airline or a freight forwarder experienced in dangerous‑goods shipment; do not rely on airport staff to reclassify items at check‑in. Pack permitted consumer aerosols with protective caps, double‑bag corrosive or liquid cleaners, and use leakproof sealed containers. For nonstandard securing solutions see best line for umbrella rig for ideas on robust ties and straps suitable for outer containment during transit.

Transporting duty‑free and airport‑purchased bottles during hold stowage and connecting flights

Recommendation: Keep purchases inside the original tamper‑evident security bag with the sales receipt visible and request that agents tag and place them into the aircraft hold at transfer if any onward screening or terminal change will require resealing or opening of the sterile area.

At point of sale: insist on a sealed tamper‑evident bag (STEB/TESB) and a printed receipt showing date, time, item description and quantity. Photograph the sealed bag and receipt before leaving the shop; many airports accept STEBs only if the seal is intact and the receipt matches the contents.

When a connecting screening is required: request transfer‑desk staff to apply onward‑destination tagging and move the items into the hold. If the itinerary forces passage through immigration or a new security checkpoint, the STEB is likely to be opened and the contents may be removed at that stage unless placed in the hold by the airline.

For separate‑ticket transfers or different carriers: confirm acceptance with both carriers before travel. If no interline agreement exists, arrange to present the purchase and receipt at the onward carrier’s check‑in so the item can be stowed in the hold for the next sector; if this is impossible, plan to buy after transfer or ship the bottle by courier.

Routes with stricter screening (example: transits involving US domestic or some Asian domestic sectors): treat those sectors as requiring hold stowage unless the STEB remains sealed through all security points. When uncertain, request hold placement at the transfer desk rather than risk seizure during resecurity.

If hold stowage is chosen: hand the sealed bag and receipt to the agent at transfer or gate and ask for a baggage tag to the final destination. Retain a copy or photo of the tag number and receipt; this speeds resolution if an item is misplaced.

Sample request phrase for staff: “Please tag this sealed duty‑free purchase to my final destination and place it in the aircraft hold; receipt is here.” Use the phrase at the transfer desk, gate or check‑in counter.

When in doubt: prioritize tagging to the final destination or buying after reentry to the sterile zone. Relying on the STEB alone is risky when transfers include terminal changes, non‑interline carriers or countries with mandatory resecurity.