Can i carry liquids in hold luggage easyjet

Short answer: non-dangerous fluids are permitted inside checked baggage on the airline, but you must follow air-transport rules and the carrier’s specific policy. Alcoholic drinks with 24%–70% ABV are typically limited to 5 litres per passenger in unopened retail packaging (IATA guidance); beverages above 70% ABV are usually prohibited. Flammable, corrosive, oxidising or toxic solutions (fuel, paints, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, some solvents) must not be packed.

Packing protocol: place each bottle in a sealed, waterproof bag with an absorbent layer (paper towel or cloth) and wrap in bubble wrap or clothing. Position containers in the suitcase core, surrounded by soft items, and avoid placing them beside electronics. For example, five 750 ml wine bottles total 3.75 L – under the 5 L alcohol limit – but still require robust padding and double-sealing to prevent leaks.

Pressure and spray items: aerosols and pressurised cans intended for personal care are often allowed if marked for toiletries and in limited quantities; industrial or high-pressure sprays are restricted. Always ensure spray caps are secured and containers are upright when possible. Label fragile items and consider using a dedicated bottle pouch or commercial bottle protectors.

Check-in and cross-border rules: declare any restricted products at check-in if the carrier requests it and review destination import allowances – duty-free quantities differ by country and route. If duty-free spirits are purchased, retain receipts and keep them in the manufacturer’s sealed retail bag if you intend to carry the bottle through security into the aircraft cabin; for checked bags the secure bag requirement is less relevant but destination customs still apply.

Final checklist before travel: confirm the airline’s checked-bag policy online; verify IATA dangerous-goods restrictions for any specialty fluids; limit alcohol >24% to ≤5 L per person and avoid >70% ABV; double-bag and pad bottles; weigh your suitcase to avoid excess-baggage fees; and keep receipts for duty-free purchases. Failure to follow these points may lead to confiscation or fines at departure or arrival.

Storing fluids in checked baggage with the airline

Recommendation: Place containers over 100 ml inside checked bags; cabin baggage only permits individual containers up to 100 ml, all together in a single resealable 1 L clear plastic bag per passenger.

Quick rules and practical steps:

– Alcoholic drinks: beverages above 70% ABV are forbidden in both checked and cabin; beverages between 24% and 70% ABV are allowed in checked bags but limited to 5 L per passenger in unopened retail packaging.

– Aerosol products and pressurised cans: non-flammable personal care aerosols are usually allowed in checked baggage if securely packaged; flammable or self‑defence aerosols are banned.

– Medications and baby food: medically necessary gels/solutions and infant supplies are permitted in cabin in reasonable quantities with supporting documentation; keep spares in checked bag only where convenient.

– Duty-free purchases: sealed tamper-evident bags with receipts may be accepted in cabin even when bottle size exceeds 100 ml; keep the sealing intact until you board your final flight.

– Packaging advice: use leak-proof containers, place bottles inside sealed plastic bags, surround with clothing or bubble wrap, put heavier bottles in the center of the suitcase, and consider small plastic screw‑top bottles for decanting.

Check your carrier’s specific hazardous goods policy before travel and declare any questionable items at the check‑in desk to avoid refusal at the airport.

What types of fluids are permitted in checked baggage?

Quick directive: Pack personal care fluids, prescription medicines, baby formula/food and duty‑free alcohol (subject to alcohol by volume limits) in checked baggage; exclude flammable, corrosive and compressed‑gas items.

Toiletries and cosmetics: Shampoo, conditioner, creams, makeup removers and perfumes are acceptable in containers larger than cabin limits when placed inside checked bags. Use original packaging or tightly sealed bottles and wrap caps with tape or place inside sealed plastic pouches to prevent leaks.

Medicines and infant supplies: Prescription drugs, liquid medicines and baby formula/breast milk are permitted in reasonable amounts for the trip. Keep prescriptions or a doctor’s note for controlled medication and retain a small supply in hand baggage if the item may be needed during flight.

Alcoholic beverages: Alcohol under 24% ABV: no specific airline quantity restriction for checked items. Alcohol between 24% and 70% ABV: maximum 5 litres per passenger, must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcohol over 70% ABV: prohibited from transport.

Aerosols and sprays: Personal care aerosols (deodorant, hairspray) are allowed when designed for consumer use and protected against accidental release; pressurised gas cartridges for camping or machinery are forbidden. Ensure caps are secure and place cans upright amid clothing.

Electronic smoking devices and batteries: Spare lithium batteries, power banks and electronic cigarettes must not be packed in checked bags; installable batteries inside switched‑off devices are normally permitted but protect against accidental activation. Place all spare batteries in carry‑on with terminals taped or in separate pouches.

Prohibited fluid types: Petrol, solvents, paints, bleach, acids, peroxides, oxidising agents, tear gas, lighter refills and other flammable or reactive substances are not permitted. Consult the carrier’s dangerous‑goods list before packing industrial or hobby chemicals.

Packing tips: Put fluid containers in sealed plastic bags, double‑wrap fragile bottles, place heavier sealed items near the centre of the suitcase, and keep receipts for duty‑free purchases in case of security checks.

Quantity and packaging rules for toiletries, cosmetics and medicines

Store aerosols and pressurised personal-care items in checked baggage only when each container is ≤0.5 kg (500 g) net and the total per passenger does not exceed 2 kg; secure spray nozzles, cap tightly and pad to prevent accidental discharge.

Specific quantity limits

Alcoholic products: beverages with 24%–70% ABV are limited to 5 L per passenger if in unopened retail packaging; products above 70% ABV are forbidden. Aerosols used for grooming and deodorant follow a 0.5 kg per-item / 2 kg per-passenger rule under IATA/DGR. Solid cosmetics (powders, bars, sticks) are not constrained by these hazardous-goods volume limits but remain subject to the carrier’s weight allowance and customs rules.

Practical packaging steps

Keep prescription medicines in original, pharmacy‑labelled containers and carry a copy of the prescription or a doctor’s note; place syringes and lancets in rigid cases and retain documentation. Transfer creams, gels and bath products to leakproof bottles if needed, remove pump heads and tape lids, then double-bag in resealable plastic. Wrap glass perfume or aftershave bottles in bubble wrap, place upright inside a sealed pouch, and add absorbent material to contain spills. If an item is classified as restricted, declare it at check‑in or follow staff instructions.

Packing aerosols, perfumes and alcoholic beverages for checked baggage

Limit aerosols to ≤500 g (or ml) per can with a total of 2 kg of pressurised toiletry products per passenger; keep perfumes sealed in retail bottles and alcohol between 24%–70% ABV to a maximum of 5 L per person in unopened retail packaging; beverages over 70% ABV are forbidden for transport by passenger aircraft.

Aerosols and pressurised cans

Acceptable items: deodorant spray, shaving foam, hair spray and similar personal-care aerosols provided each container is ≤500 g/net weight and the combined net mass of all such items does not exceed 2 kg. Prohibited items: spray paints, pesticide/insecticide sprays, industrial aerosols, oxygen-propelled cans, and self-defence sprays – treat these as dangerous goods and do not place them in checked baggage. Secure caps, tape actuator buttons, place cans upright inside sealed plastic bags and pad with clothing or bubble wrap to reduce risk of puncture and leakage from pressure changes.

Perfume and alcoholic drinks – packing and documentation

Perfume: leave in original retail packaging when possible; double-bag with heavy-duty zip bags, cushion bottles in the centre of the suitcase and tape caps. For high-value or fragile fragrance bottles, use a small hard-case or wrap in multiple layers of clothing. Alcohol: transport only factory-sealed bottles. Legal limits applied by air-transport regulations: under 24% ABV – no specific airline limit; 24%–70% ABV – maximum 5 L per passenger in retail packaging; over 70% ABV – not permitted. Keep receipts for duty-free purchases and check customs allowance for destination countries; larger quantities or commercial shipments require cargo booking and a dangerous-goods declaration.

How to prevent spills and damage when transporting fluids in checked baggage

Put every container into a sealed clear resealable bag (minimum 1‑litre) and pack that bag inside the middle of your checked case, cushioned by clothing.

• Headspace: leave roughly 10% empty volume inside each bottle to allow for pressure and temperature changes at altitude.
• Cap security: place a square of cling film over the opening, screw the cap back on, then wrap a layer of strong tape around the cap-thread junction.
• Double protection for glass: wrap bottles in two layers of bubble wrap (minimum 100 mm overlap), secure with tape, then put wrapped bottles into a rigid container or shoe box before placing in the suitcase.
• Absorbent barrier: place an absorbent towel, microfiber cloth or a few pairs of socks beneath and around sealed bags to trap any leaks and prevent spread to garments.
• Orientation and placement: position bottles upright where possible; keep them in the central compartment away from the case edges, zips and sharp items (electronics, pens, metal tools).
• Hard-shell cases: for glass or high-value fluids (perfume, alcohol) use a hard-sided case or a dedicated padded bottle pod to reduce impact stress.
• Aerosol and pressurised items: keep protective caps on, ensure valves are blocked (cap taped), and place in a separate sealed bag away from fragile glass.
• Decanting: for fragile or large bottles, transfer product into sturdy travel-size PET bottles or aluminium atomisers rated for travel, and label contents clearly.
• Extra sealing for alcohol: wrap the neck with a layer of plastic film and industrial tape; place the bottle inside a leakproof pouch and then into a padded box.
• Fragile marking: apply a “FRAGILE” sticker to the case and pack heavier items below, lighter and cushioned items above the bottles to reduce crushing risk.
• Post-pack check: squeeze each sealed bag lightly to verify no air or fluid escapes; re-tape any suspect closures before closing the case.

Quick packing checklist:

1. Resealable clear bags (1L) – one per container or group
2. Cling film + strong tape for cap seals
3. Bubble wrap or padded sleeves for glass
4. Rigid box or padded bottle case
5. Absorbent cloths/towels
6. Hard-shell suitcase or additional internal padding
7. Labelled travel bottles for decanting

Rules for duty‑free and airport purchases in checked baggage

Place duty‑free and airport-purchased bottles and aerosol cans in strong, sealed containers inside checked-in bags; keep receipts and the original tamper-evident sales bag when provided, and pack each item upright within padded, waterproof inner bags.

Security, declarations and packaging

Sealed retail packaging: unopened retail packaging is preferred for screening and customs. Items bought airside in a tamper‑evident bag (STEB) remain valid evidence of security screening for transfer but may be opened by security or customs if placed in checked-in bags. Declare any quantity that exceeds allowance thresholds on arrival forms. Wrap fragile bottles in clothing, use absorbent material around caps, and place all items in a secondary waterproof pouch to limit damage from accidental leaks.

Alcohol, aerosols and restricted articles

Beverages up to 24% ABV generally face no specific regulatory volume cap in checked-in baggage beyond the airline’s normal weight limits. Beverages >24% and ≤70% ABV are limited to 5 litres per passenger in checked-in bags and must be in retail packaging; beverages >70% ABV are not permitted. Aerosol products and pressurised cans can be classified as dangerous goods–small personal toiletry aerosols with protective caps are usually accepted, but flammable or large-capacity spray cans may be restricted or banned. Verify the carrier’s dangerous‑goods guidance before packing and present receipts if screening staff request proof of purchase.

Keep receipts accessible and photograph high-value items for insurance. For advice on protective cases for cameras and other fragile electronics see best digital camera brans.

What to do if airport security identifies prohibited or leaking fluid items

Inform the screening officer immediately and hand over the affected item along with any supporting paperwork (prescription, purchase receipt, sealed‑bag proof).

Immediate steps at the checkpoint

Keep a safe distance from the spill, avoid touching contaminated surfaces, and let staff isolate the bag or container. Security will either re‑package the article in a sealable disposal bag, confiscate and destroy it, or hold it for further screening; request a written note describing the action taken.

If the item is a prescribed medication, present the prescription or doctor’s letter; screening staff frequently allow essential medicines after verification, sometimes after additional testing or repackaging. If the item is a duty‑free purchase, produce the tamper‑evident bag and receipt–if the seal is broken the product is likely to be removed.

If staff declare the item hazardous (strong solvents, corrosives, pressurised aerosols), follow evacuation or containment instructions and permit emergency services to handle clean‑up. Ask personnel to record any incident number or contact for follow‑up.

Actions after containment or confiscation

Photograph the affected baggage, the damaged contents, receipts and boarding passes before leaving the terminal. Report damage to the airline desk and obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or equivalent before you go; keep a copy and note the agent’s name. File any compensation claim through the airline’s documented process and attach photos, purchase receipts and the PIR or security disposal note.

If contents in checked bags were soaked or contaminated, request that staff complete a written assessment of whether the bag was accepted for carriage or refused; this supports insurance or chargeback claims. Keep all original packaging when possible and retain proof of value for replacements.

For convenience on future trips, stow a compact spill kit in your personal item (absorbent pads, disposable gloves, multiple zip‑seal bags) and choose a resilient cabin bag; see best personal item backpack for international travel.

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