Can you pack any liquid in checked luggage

Recommendation: Store personal fluids (toiletries, perfumes, beverages) in sealed retail containers inside a suitcase that will be stowed in the aircraft hold. Follow IATA/Dangerous Goods and TSA rules: items over 70% ABV are prohibited; alcoholic beverages between 24% and 70% ABV are limited to 5 litres per passenger when in original, unopened retail packaging; beverages below 24% ABV are not subject to that specific quantity limit but may be subject to customs restrictions at the destination.

For cabin baggage the 100 ml (3.4 oz) per container rule applies and all containers must fit into a single transparent resealable quart-size bag. Anything larger should be moved to the aircraft hold or shipped as cargo following carrier procedures and dangerous-goods declarations.

Prohibited and restricted items include flammable solvents (gasoline, paint thinners), fuel canisters, oxygen cylinders and other compressed-gas bottles; these are not permitted in either cabin or the aircraft hold without prior carrier approval and proper dangerous-goods documentation. Aerosol toiletries are usually acceptable when designed for personal care but aerosols with flammable propellants or pressurized sporting cylinders have strict limits or outright bans–consult the airline’s dangerous-goods guidance before travel.

Packing tips: Use leakproof bottles with secure screw caps, wrap caps with tape, place each container in a sealed plastic bag, and position them centrally inside a hard-sided suitcase surrounded by soft clothing to absorb pressure changes. For high-value items such as expensive perfumes or large-format alcohol, keep purchase receipts, ensure original tamper-evident seals remain intact, and consider carrying them in checked-in baggage alternatives such as freight if quantities exceed passenger allowances.

If transporting commercial quantities or goods for resale, coordinate with the carrier’s cargo or dangerous-goods desk, complete required declarations, and verify import limits and taxes at the destination. For travel within the United States reference TSA guidance; for international routes check both IATA recommendations and the specific airline’s policies before departure.

Which fluids are strictly prohibited in hold baggage

Do not stow flammable or combustible fluids in the aircraft hold: examples include petrol (gasoline), kerosene, lighter fluid, paint thinners, turpentine, methanol and other solvent fuels; these are classified as dangerous goods and are banned from hold stowage.

Pressurised containers and gases

Forbidden: butane, propane, oxygen cylinders, camping fuel canisters, disposable gas cartridges (e.g., for torches or cooking), nitrous oxide chargers used for catering/cream dispensers and aerosol spray cans with combustible contents such as spray paint. Small personal-care aerosols may be subject to quantity limits but industrial or fuel-type cartridges must not travel in the hold.

Corrosives, oxidisers and toxic chemicals

Forbidden: concentrated acids and alkalis (battery acid, muriatic acid), pool chemicals, concentrated hydrogen peroxide and peroxides intended for industrial use, bleach in large quantities, pesticides, and other strong oxidisers. Mercury and mercury-containing items (thermometers, switches) are also prohibited.

Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol by volume (over 140 proof) are banned from both hold and cabin. Drinks between 24% and 70% ABV are typically limited to 5 litres per passenger if in unopened retail packaging; beverages under 24% ABV generally face no quantity limit but must meet airline and customs rules.

Wet cell batteries (car, motorcycle, or other lead-acid types) that contain free liquid electrolyte are not permitted in the hold. Corrosive or hazardous household products – large paint cans, solvents, pool chemicals, fuel additives – should be shipped as freight using a specialist carrier with a dangerous-goods declaration rather than placed in suitcases or trunks. For bulky household items, consider freight solutions or specialised shipping; see best graphite 9kg washing machine for an example of items better sent by courier than stowed in hold baggage.

Alcohol and other fluids: permitted amounts for aircraft hold

Quick limits: Alcoholic beverages ≤24% ABV – no airline-imposed volume limit for carriage in the aircraft hold; 24–70% ABV – maximum 5 L per traveler in unopened retail packaging; >70% ABV – prohibited from both cabin and aircraft hold.

Non-alcohol fluids and aerosols

Perfumes, toiletry sprays and gels in consumer-size containers are generally acceptable when sealed and well protected; industrial solvents, gasoline, lighter refills and other flammable fluids are forbidden. Many carriers decline bulk containers above 1 L per item for transport in the aircraft hold. Keep duty-free purchases in factory-sealed bags and retain receipts to simplify inspections and customs checks.

Stowage and handling recommendations

Secure bottles in sealed plastic sleeves, wrap with clothing or bubble wrap, place near the center of the suitcase away from edges, and avoid exceeding the airline baggage allowance (typical: 23 kg / 50 lb; higher limits such as 32 kg / 70 lb may apply for premium fares). Use a hard-sided case or commercial bottle protector, label fragile items, and attach a tracker using a sturdy mount such as the best luggage airtag holder. For guidance on internal weight distribution consult resources like best weight for offset umbrella. Verify carrier and national aviation authority rules before travel and declare restricted items when required.

Sealing methods to prevent leaks and fluid damage in hold bags

Use double-containment and headspace management: seal each bottle or tube at its threads with plastic wrap, tighten the cap, apply waterproof tape around the cap, then place the item inside a heavy-duty resealable bag (4 mil or thicker) and expel excess air before sealing.

Container preparation

• Inspect closures: replace missing gaskets or O-rings; stoppered pumps should lock or be taped shut.
• Leave headspace of 10–20% to allow thermal and pressure expansion for non-carbonated fluids; do not overfill.
• Use heat-shrink bands or tamper-evident seals when available; wrap bottle threads with a single layer of cling film to create an inner seal before capping.
• Test for leaks: place prepared containers in a sealed bag, invert and squeeze gently for 10–20 seconds; check for moisture after 24 hours.
• Prefer plastic or high-density PET containers for toiletries; for glass, use padded neoprene sleeves or molded foam inserts designed for bottles.

Placement and padding inside the suitcase

1. Center heavy fluid containers within the case, surrounded on all sides by soft items (towels, clothing) to absorb shock and contain spills.
2. Place an absorbent barrier (microfiber towel or folded cotton) between fluid bags and electronics, shoes, or documents.
3. Use rigid-sided cases or add a rigid insert to reduce crushing; activate internal compression straps to prevent shifting.
4. For multiple containers, group them in a single waterproof outer bag; double- or triple-bagging reduces cross-contamination risk if one item fails.
5. Label the outer bag with a simple “fragile–contains bottles” tag to encourage gentler handling by handlers.

• Avoid packing carbonated drinks and unvented pressurised cans in hold compartments when possible; if included, use small volumes and protect with multiple sealed layers.
• Store perfumes and high-value cosmetic bottles in foam-divided organizers or commercial travel bottle cubes to prevent breakage.
• Keep a small supply kit: spare resealable bags, waterproof tape, and a microfiber towel for on-route emergency containment.

Rules for flammable and pressurized fluids (fuels, aerosols, paint)

Flammable or pressurized containers must not be stowed in aircraft hold baggage unless shipped as dangerous goods through an approved air cargo process with proper documentation, UN-approved packaging, and carrier acceptance.

Strictly prohibited in passenger baggage: gasoline (UN1203), refillable fuel canisters, fuel additives, paint thinners and solvents, refillable propane/butane cylinders, and spray paints that list flammable propellants on the Safety Data Sheet. Aerosols labeled UN1950 are allowed only when classified as non-flammable personal care or medicinal aerosols and only if the carrier’s policy permits.

When shipment via cargo is required, follow IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and ICAO Technical Instructions: use UN-designated inner/outer packagings, apply appropriate hazard labels and handling marks, include a signed Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods, and observe per-package and per-consignment quantity limits. Carriers will refuse undeclared hazardous consignments.

For fuel-powered equipment moved as cargo: drain tanks completely, run the engine until carburetor and lines are dry, remove spare fuel cartridges, and isolate batteries. Equipment containing residual fuel typically falls under “dangerous goods packed with equipment” rules and requires prior acceptance by the airline’s cargo DG unit.

Non-refillable small cartridges (CO₂) and certain compressed gas cylinders may be permitted under strict conditions (securely installed in equipment, protected valves, quantity limits). Proof via manufacturer documentation or SDS and confirmation from the carrier is required before transport.

Consequences of improper carriage include confiscation, fines, flight delays or diversion, and potential criminal liability. For shipment options, request carrier’s dangerous goods desk, use a specialized DG freight forwarder, or choose alternative non-pressurized products sold at destination.

Allowances and documentation for medicines, baby formula and breast milk

Declare and carry prescription medicines, baby formula and expressed breast milk separately for security screening, with original containers and written proof when applicable.

Documentation checklist

Keep the following documents accessible in hand baggage: pharmacy labels showing passenger name, original prescription or physician letter for injectable or temperature-sensitive drugs, package labels for commercial infant formula, and a dated note if breast milk was expressed prior to travel. For medical devices (insulin pumps, nebulizers) include a clinician’s letter describing medical necessity and device operation.

Cross-border and airline specifics

Contact the airline and destination border/health authorities prior to travel when transporting large volumes or medically sensitive items. Some countries restrict dairy or biological products at arrival; declare such items on arrival forms when required. Retain prescriber contact info and a translated summary of medical need for non-English destinations.

Where to find airline, TSA and international rules before placing items in hold bags

Check the carrier’s baggage and dangerous-goods webpages first, then verify with national and international authorities listed below.

Primary authoritative sources

TSA – https://www.tsa.gov : use the Travel / Security Screening pages and the Prohibited Items and Allowed Items sections for U.S. departures and airport-specific notes.

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) – https://www.iata.org/en/publications/dgr/ : the industry’s detailed standard for air carriers; consult the DGR for classification, quantity limits, packing instructions and documentation requirements used by most airlines worldwide.

ICAO Technical Instructions – https://www.icao.int/safety/DangerousGoods/Pages/default.aspx : the global regulatory baseline for transport of hazardous materials by air; required reference for operators and national authorities.

FAA / U.S. DOT / PHMSA – https://www.faa.gov, https://www.transportation.gov, https://www.phmsa.dot.gov : U.S. regulatory guidance that supplements TSA and IATA rules for domestic flights and carriers registered in the U.S.

Practical verification steps before travel

Open the carrier’s official policy page shown on the booking confirmation and compare with IATA/ICAO references; when airline text is more restrictive, the airline’s rule applies at check-in. For transfers, check rules for every carrier and every country on the itinerary; transit points may enforce their own prohibitions.

Search for the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for any chemical, aerosol or solvent intended for transport and save a PDF. If the item is described as hazardous in IATA or ICAO lists, obtain the carrier’s written permission or the required shipping paperwork before presenting the item at the airport.

For clarity, contact the carrier’s baggage/dangerous-goods desk by phone or email and request a written confirmation (screenshot or PDF). Retain regulatory citations or screen captures from TSA / IATA / ICAO pages to present at check-in if needed.

Check national customs and import rules at destination and transit countries for alcohol, medicines and other regulated substances via official government sites or the country’s civil aviation authority. When in doubt, defer to the most restrictive published requirement applicable to any flight segment.