Michael Turner
Recommendation: Place small sealed fragile containers under 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz inside a single transparent resealable bag in your carry-on; full-size bottles and bulky breakables travel safer in checked baggage with rigid padding and immobilization.
Liquids and liquid-filled vessels follow the cabin limit: each container must not exceed 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz, and all must fit into one transparent resealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre / 1 quart. Duty-free purchases in tamper-evident packaging generally pass security for transfer flights only when the receipt stays inside the sealed bag. Sharp shards or open broken fragments remain prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage under most security rules.
Packing method: wrap each article in three protective layers – bubble wrap or padded sleeves, then clothing, then place inside a rigid case or the centre of a suitcase. Use wine skins or dedicated bottle protectors for bottles; secure caps with tape and position bottles upright between soft garments. Mark the case fragile, avoid placing heavy objects on top, and consider a hard-shell case for multiple breakable pieces.
Verify rules with your carrier and departure/arrival security authority before travel for variations on allowances, duty-free handling, and special permits for antiques or large instruments. When in doubt, contact the airline 24–48 hours prior or arrange courier/crate shipment for high-value glassware to reduce risk of damage.
Pack perfume and other liquid-filled fragile bottles in carry-on only if each container is 100 ml (3.4 oz) or smaller, all placed inside one transparent resealable 1‑litre (quart) bag and presented separately at security.
Maximum-capacity rule: each container is measured by its marked volume – a partially used 150 ml bottle will not pass. Only one resealable clear bag per passenger; common dimensions ≈20×20 cm. Expect removal of the bag for X-ray inspection.
What counts as a liquid: sprays, colognes, gels, creams, pastes and pressurised fragrances. Solid perfume sticks are usually treated as solids and are exempt from the 100 ml restriction. Duty‑free purchases packaged in a tamper‑evident security bag with receipt are typically permitted through transfers if the seal remains intact and the receipt shows date/time and purchase details.
Medical and infant supplies: medically necessary liquids and baby milk/formula may exceed 100 ml but must be declared and presented for screening; carry prescriptions or a doctor’s note when possible. For volumes above the cabin limit, place containers in checked baggage and protect them with clothing, bubble wrap or dedicated leakproof pouches.
Practical tips
Use travel atomizers: refill small plastic spray or roll‑on bottles (≤100 ml) from larger perfume bottles to reduce breakage and meet volume limits. Leave headspace: fill bottles to about 85–90% to accommodate pressure changes. Seal leaks: tape caps and enclose each bottle in a small zip bag before placing into the clear 1‑litre bag.
Regulatory notes: TSA follows the 3‑1‑1 rule (3.4 oz/100 ml, 1 quart bag, 1 bag per passenger); EU/UK apply a 100 ml/1‑litre standard as well, but specific carrier or country procedures can vary – check airline and airport guidance for connecting flights. For road-trip maintenance advice see how to winterize your rv blowing out water lines with an air compressor.
How to wrap fragile vessels for cabin baggage to prevent breakage and security delays?
Wrap each fragile vessel in three layers: surface cushioning, rigid support, and a waterproof outer that can be opened and resealed quickly.
- Required materials
- Small-bubble wrap (6–10 mm bubbles) or soft tissue paper
- Cardboard or thin corrugated sheet for structural support
- Resealable clear plastic bag (minimum 1 L size for bottles; larger for cups)
- Packing tape (low-adhesive recommended) and rubber bands
- Clothing or foam inserts to fill voids inside the cabin carry
- Zip pouch or dedicated compartment for single-piece inspection
- Step-by-step wrapping (one vessel)
- Wipe the surface dry and wrap with 2–3 sheets of acid-free tissue so no hard edges contact the object.
- Wrap completely with small-bubble wrap, overlapping by at least 50% and creating 3–4 layers around the most fragile zones (neck, rim, base).
- Cut a piece of cardboard slightly larger than the object, fold to create a cradle, and secure the wrapped piece inside with tape or rubber bands to prevent deformation.
- Place the protected object into a clear resealable bag and expel excess air before sealing; label the bag with a simple note if the security officer requests unpacking.
- If transporting multiple vessels, keep them individually wrapped and separated by at least 2 cm of padding or a cardboard partition; never let two wrapped pieces touch directly.
- Placement inside the cabin carry
- Position the protected vessel upright in the center of the carry, surrounded by soft clothing on all sides; avoid pockets near zippers, wheels or external walls.
- Use a hard-shell carry or a padded compartment for added protection; a soft-sided bag must have dense clothing buffer layers (at least 3–5 cm).
- Fill all voids with socks or rolled T-shirts to prevent movement; total clearance movement should be under 1 cm when the bag is shaken gently.
- Keep one wrapped sample in an easily reachable outer compartment for quick removal if screening staff request inspection.
- How to reduce screening delays
- Avoid excessive metal or foil around the package; security X-ray reads clearer through cloth, plastic and cardboard.
- Use clear resealable bags so officers can visually inspect without unwrapping; if asked to unwrap, reseal with low-adhesive tape and present the same packaging.
- Pack single fragile pieces separately rather than in dense clusters that require manual checks.
- If a manual check is likely at your airport, place fragile goods where you can remove them in under 30 seconds to keep queues short.
- Quick checklist before boarding
- 3 protective layers applied
- Rigid support in place (cardboard/insert)
- Resealable clear bag used for visibility
- Surrounded by 3–5 cm of soft buffer on all sides
- Accessible for quick inspection
- Further reading on suitable carry solutions
For case and carry recommendations, see best luggage tsa precheck and best luggage just larger than carryon.
Food jars and baby food: airport security rules and packing advice
Carry jars of baby food, formula and expressed breast milk in your carry-on and declare them at the security checkpoint; liquids and spoonable purees over 100 ml/3.4 fl oz qualify for infant exemptions but must receive separate screening.
TSA (USA): baby milk, formula, breast milk and juice in quantities greater than 3.4 oz may pass through the checkpoint after declaration and inspection. EU/UK: similar “reasonable quantity” exemptions for infant nourishment; expect X-ray screening, possible hand inspection or opening for testing. Solid baby food (biscuits, pouches of solid mash) typically does not fall under the liquids rule, while spoonable purees, yogurts and sauces do.
Adult food jars with liquid or gel contents (sauces, jams, oils) must meet the 100 ml/3.4 fl oz requirement for carry‑on; otherwise place them in checked baggage or purchase after security. For international itineraries, follow both departure and arrival country rules and the airline’s specific policy.
Presentation and containment: keep all baby food and milk in an easily reachable compartment, present separately in screening bins, and declare each container. Seal lids with cling film and tape or use leakproof screw-top jars; place containers inside a clear resealable bag to contain spills during inspection. Carry only the quantity reasonably required for the trip plus a small margin for delays.
If special dietary or medical needs apply, bring documentation (pediatrician note or prescription) and check the airline’s infant policy before departure; security staff may permit larger amounts after verification, but final screening decisions rest with the checkpoint officers.
Will airport security or airlines confiscate fragile souvenirs and when should I declare them?
Short answer: Declare any souvenir that contains liquids over 100 ml, contains alcohol above permitted concentrations, or is a protected cultural object; otherwise most decorative pieces pass security after X-ray screening, though officers may inspect or require gate-checking for bulky or valuable articles.
What triggers confiscation at security: liquids exceeding the 100 ml-per-container rule for cabin bags without a tamper-evident duty-free seal; liquids or sprays with alcohol >70% ABV (prohibited in both cabin and checked); objects that resemble weapons, contain explosives, or are explicitly banned by national security rules. Security will confiscate only when an item breaks rules or cannot be cleared by screening.
Duty-free exceptions: Bottles bought at airport or onboard that remain in a sealed tamper-evident bag with receipt presented at screening are accepted beyond the 100 ml restriction for carry-on. Keep the STEB intact and the receipt accessible; if traveling through multiple connections, check transfer rules for each airport.
When to inform the airline before departure: disclose oversized, extremely heavy, high-value antiques or fragile antiques at booking or check-in so the carrier can advise on cabin stowage, gate-checking, or special handling; declare if the piece might not fit standard overhead bins or if the aircraft door/exit row policy affects your ability to carry it aboard.
Customs and export declaration: declare antiques, archaeological finds, or items subject to export control on departure forms and at arrival if required by destination rules; declare alcohol and tobacco that exceed duty-free allowances to customs on arrival to avoid fines or seizure. Carry purchase receipts, certificates of authenticity, or export permits when applicable.
Practical steps at the checkpoint: present any liquid-filled keepsakes separately in a clear plastic bag or leave them in the tamper-evident bag with receipt; if an officer asks to open a sealed container, comply – refusal often leads to confiscation. For high-value or export-controlled pieces, show documentation proactively so inspection proceeds smoothly.
Check carrier and national rules before travel; specific thresholds and paperwork vary by airline and country.
