Can you take any amount of liquid in hold luggage

Recommendation: Store toiletries, personal care gels and bottled beverages in their original sealed containers and place them inside resealable plastic bags. Alcohol rules under ICAO/IATA: under 24% ABV – generally unrestricted for checked bags; 24–70% ABV – maximum 5 litres per passenger in unopened retail packaging; over 70% ABV – forbidden for both checked and cabin carriage. Keep duty-free receipts with sealed purchases.

Items classified as dangerous goods (fuel, paints, solvents, compressed gas cylinders, certain aerosols and flammable sprays) are either prohibited or strictly limited. Perfumes and cosmetic aerosols that are non-flammable are usually accepted in checked cases but individual carriers may apply tighter limits or require packaging that prevents activation.

Packing recommendations: use leakproof bottles, double-bag with heavy-duty resealable plastic, wrap fragile containers in soft clothing, place them centrally away from suitcase seams, and tape caps to prevent pressure-related leaks. Label high-value or fragile bottles and distribute weight to comply with carrier weight limits.

Before travel, verify the airline’s hazardous-goods policy and the destination country’s customs allowances. For medically necessary fluids and infant feeds, carry supporting documentation and follow cabin rules for permitted volumes; when in doubt, contact the airline or national aviation authority for a written ruling.

Per-container and per-bag volume limits for fluids in checked baggage

Direct answer: ordinary toiletries in checked baggage are not subject to the 100‑ml carry‑on cap, but specific categories have firm per‑container and per‑passenger restrictions – follow the numeric limits below.

Regulated categories and numeric thresholds

• Alcoholic beverages:
  • ABV ≤ 24%: no DG quantity limit (subject to airline weight/size rules).
  • 24% < ABV ≤ 70%: maximum 5 litres per passenger in checked baggage, must be in unopened retail packaging (IATA Dangerous Goods Regulation).
  • ABV > 70%: forbidden in passenger checked baggage.
• Aerosols and pressurised personal‑care products:
  • Typical IATA allowance for consumer aerosols: single container net mass ≤ 0.5 kg; total net quantity per passenger ≤ 2 kg. Flammable aerosols are prohibited.
• Flammable solvents, fuels, paint thinners, lighter refills, oxygen or compressed gas cylinders: normally forbidden or require special dangerous‑goods packing/approval.
• Medicines and medically necessary fluids: allowed in larger volumes when accompanied by prescription or medical documentation; declare at check‑in if unusual volume.
• Non‑hazard toiletries in containers larger than 100 ml: permitted in checked baggage (carry‑on 100‑ml rule does not apply), subject to airline weight limits and local rules.

Practical packing and compliance tips

1. Use original, retail‑sealed containers for alcohol and aerosols when possible; open packaging can invalidate the 5‑litre allowance for alcoholic beverages.
2. Check markings: aerosol net mass and alcohol by volume (ABV) are decisive for compliance.
3. Declare restricted or large quantities at check‑in; items over standard allowances often require airline approval or handling as dangerous goods.
4. Protect against breakage: double‑bag spillable items, pad with clothing, place in centre of the suitcase to reduce rupture risk and leakage into other bags.
5. Verify both airline rules and national/ICAO/IATA regulations before travel; national authorities and carriers may impose stricter limits than the baseline numbers above.

Which fluids are banned or require special permits in checked baggage (flammables, corrosives, batteries)?

Declare and obtain airline approval for flammable, corrosive or battery-powered items that exceed regulatory thresholds; several categories are strictly forbidden.

Flammables, gases and aerosols

Prohibited: petrol, diesel, kerosene, lighter refills, butane/propane canisters, camping stove fuel, paint thinners, turpentine and similar combustible solvents; compressed gas cylinders containing flammable gases; fireworks and pyrotechnics. Small consumer aerosols (toiletries, shaving foam, deodorant) may be accepted by some carriers under limited packaging and total-net-weight rules – verify carrier policy before packing. Fuel-containing equipment must be fully drained, ventilated and declared; equipment with residual fuel or fuel cells usually requires a Dangerous Goods (DG) approval or is disallowed.

Corrosives, wet batteries and lithium cells

Corrosives such as sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric acids, strong alkalis (sodium hydroxide/potassium hydroxide), oxidizers and mercury-bearing items are not permitted unless transported as DG freight with prior approval. Wet/flooded batteries (automotive, marine) are banned from passenger aircraft; sealed lead‑acid batteries fitted in equipment can sometimes travel after airline clearance and secure packaging to prevent leakage and short circuits.

Lithium battery rules (ICAO/IATA): spare (uninstalled) lithium batteries are forbidden in checked baggage and must be carried in the cabin with terminals insulated. Lithium‑ion (rechargeable): ≤100 Wh – generally allowed without airline approval; >100 Wh up to 160 Wh – airline approval required and limited in number (commonly up to two spares); >160 Wh – forbidden. Lithium‑metal (primary): cells with ≤2 g lithium content are generally permitted in cabin; >2 g up to 8 g require airline approval; >8 g – forbidden. Devices containing lithium batteries may be placed in checked baggage if powered off and protected from damage, but spares belong in the cabin.

Always declare DG items at check-in, follow manufacturer marking/packaging, obtain written airline approval when thresholds are exceeded and consult the carrier or national aviation authority for country-specific prohibitions or paperwork. Failure to declare or improper packing can lead to seizure, fines or criminal penalties.

What alcohol quantities and alcohol-by-volume (ABV) limits apply to checked baggage?

Rule: beverages up to 24% ABV face no dangerous-goods quantity caps (subject to carrier weight limits); beverages from 24% up to 70% ABV are limited to 5 L per passenger in checked baggage if kept in retail-sealed containers; beverages over 70% ABV are prohibited from passenger baggage.

Regulatory specifics (ICAO / IATA / major authorities)

ICAO/IATA guidance adopted by most countries: 24–70% ABV → maximum 5 L per passenger, unopened original retail packaging; ≤24% ABV → no dangerous-goods restriction; >70% ABV → forbidden. United States (TSA) and EU follow the same thresholds. Larger quantities require commercial shipment as dangerous goods with proper documentation and packaging.

Packing, duty-free and carrier variations

Store bottles in original factory seals or tamper-evident duty-free bags with receipt visible during transfers. Wrap bottles in protective cushioning and place inside checked bag compartments to reduce breakage and leakage risk; double-bagging is recommended. If carrying more than the 5 L/24–70% allowance, arrange air cargo shipment under dangerous-goods rules. Check specific airline and destination alcohol import limits and exceptions for onboard purchases. For practical gear and protective options consult best luggage gear patrol.

Aerosols, pressurised cans and toiletries: permitted items and practical limits in checked baggage

Store personal-care aerosols and pressurised toiletry cans in checked baggage only when containers are intact, fitted with protective caps, and meet airline plus dangerous-goods rules; common regulatory limits are 500 ml (0.5 kg) per container and a total net quantity of about 2 kg per passenger, though carriers may set stricter limits.

Which pressurised toiletries are generally acceptable

Personal-use sprays such as deodorant, hairspray, shaving mousse, aerosol sunscreen and perfume sprays usually qualify as permitted consumer aerosols if labelled for cosmetic or medical use and not classified as flammable or toxic. Medical inhalers are normally allowed but often require original packaging and documentation. Industrial or solvent-based sprays (spray paints, degreasers), fuels, and oxidising aerosols are typically forbidden or need special air-transport permits.

Packing, safety and declaration

Keep valves secured with the factory cap, apply adhesive tape over the nozzle for added protection, and place each item inside a sealed plastic bag. Cushioning inside the checked bag reduces risk of rupture during handling. If a container is dented, leaking or missing a cap, remove it from checked baggage at check‑in and advise airline staff. Declare items that exceed standard consumer limits or that appear to be non-consumer grade; acceptance requires carrier approval or dangerous‑goods documentation.

Duty-free sealed bags and receipts: are exemptions valid for fluids in checked baggage?

Treat duty-free purchases in tamper-evident bags with an original receipt as supportive proof for customs allowances, not as a waiver of airline or dangerous-goods rules: sealed packaging and proof-of-purchase do not override DG limits, carrier policies or national import bans.

Core rules and numeric limits

Checked-baggage DG limit for alcoholic beverages: alcoholic beverages with 24–70% ABV are commonly limited to 5 L per passenger in checked baggage when carried in unopened retail packaging; beverages under 24% ABV are generally not subject to that 5 L constraint, while products above 70% ABV are typically forbidden from passenger baggage.

STEB and security screening: tamper-evident bags plus receipts allow some airports to permit carry-through of purchases that would otherwise breach cabin 100 ml rules, but for checked stowed items those carry-on exceptions are irrelevant – screening and DG rules still apply at each transfer point.

Customs allowances: duty-free receipts establish purchase origin/date and price, which helps when claiming personal-import allowances at arrival. Numeric customs allowances vary significantly by destination country; if declared quantities exceed local allowance, taxes or confiscation may follow.

Practical steps

Before departure: check both the operating carrier’s baggage policy and the transit airport’s security regulations; contact the airline for clarification on sealed retail packaging and permitted ABV limits.

Packing and documentation: keep receipts visible and inside the tamper-evident bag; retain original retail packaging; place high-ABV beverages in checked baggage only if within the 5 L/24–70% ABV guideline and the carrier accepts them.

At transfer points: expect resecurity and possible opening of bags; if a sealed bag is opened by security, proof-of-purchase helps, but an item may still be removed or barred from onward carriage.

If large quantities or high-proof items are required: arrange carriage as cargo with the airline or ship via a licensed shipping service to comply with dangerous-goods regulations and avoid confiscation.

Related reading: best modern umbrella stroller and are there any side by side short fridge freezers.

How to declare and transport large or commercial quantities of fluids when checking baggage

Ship commercial fluid consignments through airline cargo or a licensed freight forwarder and obtain written acceptance from the carrier before arriving at the airport; do not present commercial shipments at the passenger check-in desk.

Classify products using the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and IATA/ICAO dangerous goods criteria; record UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group. Items classified as dangerous goods must travel under a Dangerous Goods Declaration and accepted packing instructions – otherwise shipment will be rejected.

Prepare documentation: completed Dangerous Goods Declaration (if applicable), shipper’s declaration or Shipper’s Letter of Instruction, commercial invoice, packing list, SDS, export/import licences or permits, and an emergency contact 24/7 number. Provide HS codes and consignee EORI/importer ID for customs clearance.

Use UN-certified packaging appropriate to the substance (examples: UN 1A1/1A2 drums, UN performance-tested inner packagings with absorbents and overpack). Secure closures, pressure-relief provisions where required, and ensure net quantity per inner receptacle and per outer package conforms to the applicable Packing Instruction from the IATA DGR.

Mark and label each package with UN number, proper shipping name, hazard labels, net quantity per package and shipper/consignee details. Apply the limited quantity or inner-outer packaging marks only when the shipment meets those specific provisions in the DGR; otherwise use full DG labels.

Book the shipment with the airline cargo office or an approved forwarder at least 48–72 hours ahead; present packages at the cargo terminal with original declarations and commercial paperwork. Expect carrier verification, possible opening for inspection, and assignment to a special handling or DG hold area on the aircraft.

Declare goods to customs before export/import: provide commercial invoice with unit values, country of origin, and permits for controlled substances. Anticipate duties, excise taxes and quarantine checks for food-grade or pharmaceutical fluids.

Engage a licensed freight forwarder or DG-certified packer for complex consignments, temperature-sensitive formulations or mixed shipments (for example, combustible fluids combined with batteries). Purchase cargo insurance and retain copies of all transport documents for at least the carrier’s statutory retention period.

Undeclared or improperly packed commercial consignments risk refusal, heavy fines and legal liability; use cargo channels and DG procedures to ensure legal carriage and timely delivery.