Michael Turner
Recommendation: Pack fluid, gel and cream items into individual containers no larger than 100 ml each, and place all such containers into a single transparent resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre; the bag must be presented separately at security screening.
Permitted exceptions include prescribed medication and infant feeds exceeding the 100 ml limit – these must be declared at the checkpoint and accompanied by prescription notes or proof of need. Duty-free purchases sold in sealed tamper-evident bags with a receipt are normally allowed even if individual items exceed 100 ml, but retaining the sealed packaging until arrival is often required.
For toiletries, aerosols and similar products that exceed the allowed container size, place them in checked baggage or transfer contents into travel-size bottles not exceeding 100 ml. Only one transparent bag per passenger is generally accepted; items that do not fit will be removed at screening.
Practical tips: Use clear travel kits, label medical items, keep the resealable bag in an easily accessible pocket for separate presentation, and buy perfumes or drinks after security to avoid confiscation. Airport security authorities or the carrier may impose additional local limits – verify the departure airport’s security guidance and the carrier’s official passenger information before travel.
Cabin fluids policy and immediate recommendation
Keep all fluids, gels and aerosols in containers of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) or smaller and store them together in a single transparent resealable bag with a maximum 1‑litre (1‑quart) capacity; limit to one such bag per passenger.
Exceptions
- Medical and mobility-related fluids: larger volumes allowed when accompanied by a prescription, doctor’s letter or medical card; present documentation separately at security for inspection.
- Infant milk/food: reasonable quantities required for the duration of travel are permitted; declare at security screening.
- Duty‑free purchases: permitted if supplied in a tamper‑evident sealed bag with receipt; retain seal until boarding as required by many airports and carriers.
- Pressurised personal care aerosols: frequently limited by weight (commonly ≤0.5 kg per item) and total quantity per passenger; follow the carrier or airport restrictions displayed online or at check‑in.
Packing checklist
- Place the resealable bag at the top of the cabin bag for quick removal during security screening.
- Use travel bottles clearly marked with capacity (≤100 ml / 3.4 fl oz) and ensure lids are tightly closed; double‑wrap fragile containers with a small plastic pouch to prevent leaks.
- Prefer solid alternatives where possible: solid shampoo bars, solid deodorant sticks, compressed or tablet formulas reduce screening issues.
- If any item exceeds limits, transfer contents into compliant bottles or purchase after security at airside shops to avoid disposal.
- Keep prescriptions, receipts and any medical notes in an easily accessible document sleeve to speed up inspection.
For reduced spinal strain while carrying compliant items, select a supportive carry‑on pack: best backpack for back issues
Cabin fluids limits: permitted millilitres and container sizes
Rule: individual containers must not exceed 100 ml (3.4 fl oz); all fluid, gel, cream and aerosol items must fit inside a single transparent resealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre (typical size ~20 x 20 cm); one such bag allowed per passenger and presented separately at security screening.
Allowed container details
Maximum per item: 100 ml. Common examples covered: toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel), toothpaste, cosmetics, sunscreens, aerosols and gels. Containers smaller than 100 ml but partly full are acceptable; loose pumps, sachets and travel-size bottles are fine provided the labelled capacity is ≤100 ml.
Exceptions and presentation
Medications and special dietary/formula items above 100 ml permitted when clinically required – keep prescriptions or a doctor’s note. Baby feeding supplies allowed in necessary quantities. Duty-free purchases permitted if sealed in an approved security tamper-evident bag with receipt displayed. All exceptions remain subject to additional screening; present those items separately for inspection.
Packing tips: use clear resealable pouches, consolidate small containers, label medical items, keep receipts for duty-free goods, and place the 1‑litre bag in an easily accessible outer pocket of the carry-on for quick removal at checkpoints.
Store cosmetics, sprays and gels in containers no larger than 100 ml each and seal them together inside a single transparent, resealable 1‑litre bag–only one such bag allowed per passenger.
Permitted items (examples and limits)
Toiletries such as toothpaste, mascara, liquid foundation, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner and hand sanitizer are permitted when each container is ≤100 ml and all fit inside the 1‑litre clear pouch.
Personal aerosols for grooming (hair spray, deodorant spray) are acceptable provided they are labelled ≤100 ml and do not contain flammable propellants beyond allowed thresholds.
Medications (prescription liquids, saline, insulin) and baby formula/milk are permitted in quantities above 100 ml if required during travel; carry original packaging and, where available, a prescription or clinician’s note for faster screening.
Solid cosmetics (lipstick, powder, solid deodorant, bar soap) are not counted toward the 1‑litre pouch restriction and may remain in cabin baggage outside the pouch.
Prohibited or tightly restricted items
Aerosol cans and pressurized containers exceeding 100 ml are not allowed in cabin baggage; flammable aerosols, fuel gels, and self‑defence sprays are prohibited regardless of size.
Perfumes and aftershaves over 100 ml must be placed in hold baggage unless purchased airside and issued inside a sealed tamper‑evident bag with receipt; retained seal and receipt must remain intact for transfer screening rules to apply.
Alcoholic drinks with alcohol by volume above 70% are banned from carry compartments; beverages between 24% and 70% may have additional restrictions and are best placed in checked baggage.
Bulk quantities of gels, creams or pastes (hair styling products, large tubs of moisturizer) exceed cabin limits and should be transferred to checked baggage or decanted into travel bottles of ≤100 ml.
Pack tips: decant items into clearly labelled 100 ml travel bottles, place the sealed pouch at the top of the cabin bag for screening removal, keep prescriptions and baby receipts accessible, and move disallowed items to checked baggage before security. For non‑toiletry travel kit, consider also a weather shield such as a best type of outdoor umbrella.
Packing toiletries for charter flights: resealable bags & airport security checklist
Store all toiletries in a single clear resealable bag placed on top of the carry-on for fastest processing at security.
Choose durable transparent bags with a reliable zip-seal or certified tamper-evident seal; prefer thicker PVC or PE materials over thin sandwich bags to prevent accidental tears during transit.
Organize items by function: keep medication and baby feeds in an exterior pocket, place aerosol cans and pump dispensers upright inside the resealable bag, and wrap glass bottles in soft clothing to reduce breakage. Use screw-cap lids and secure pump heads with tape if caps are loose.
Keep prescriptions, dosage notes and medical certificates together with travel documents so staff can verify items quickly if secondary screening is requested. For liquid medicines or special dietary fluids, present documentation before screening when possible.
Retain duty-free purchases inside the sealed retail bag with receipt clearly visible; for connections, follow the transfer airport’s policy regarding sealed retail bags to avoid having items removed.
If a resealable bag is damaged at checkpoint, transfer contents into a spare clear bag from a travel kit and show the screening officer. If an item is selected for additional inspection, hand it over without delay to speed the process.
Swap to solid alternatives where practical: solid shampoo bars, balm-style deodorants, bar soap and powdered cosmetic formats occupy less inspection time and reduce spill risk.
Pack a compact kit with spare resealable bags and a small roll of waterproof tape to reseal broken containers after security checks; store the kit with boarding documents for immediate access.
| Item | Packing tip | Security action |
|---|---|---|
| Aerosols | Cap firmly and place upright inside the clear bag; cushion with clothing | Place tray with bag for screening; may be inspected separately |
| Gels & creams | Group together in one transparent bag; double-bag if leaking is a concern | Remove bag from carry-on when requested for x-ray |
| Perfume | Keep in original sealed box or wrap in padding; store in middle of bag | Present in tray; expect close inspection if high alcohol content |
| Medication & special dietary fluids | Keep accessible with prescriptions and a doctor’s note; store separately from main bag | Declare at screening if asked; may undergo swab or visual inspection |
| Duty-free sealed purchases | Leave in tamper-evident retail bag with receipt visible | Keep closed until final destination or follow transfer airport rules |
| Solids / substitutes | Use solid shampoos, creams-in-stick form and powder products where possible | Usually accepted without special handling; place with toiletries for quick retrieval |
| Pumps & dispensers | Lock pump heads, tape caps, or transfer to leakproof travel dispensers | Place inside resealable bag and present for screening |
Handling duty-free purchases on carrier connections: tamper-evident bags and receipts
Keep duty-free purchases inside the original Security Tamper‑Evident Bag (STEB) with the paper receipt clearly visible until final boarding on connecting sectors; if an intermediate security point requires re‑screening or refuses sealed items, transfer those purchases to checked baggage at the earliest opportunity.
STEB and receipt requirements
STEB characteristics: sealed transparent bag with a tamper strip and an airport/retailer label. Security staff typically expect the bag to remain sealed and the seal intact across transfers.
Receipt details: the printed receipt must be inside the STEB and show date/time of purchase and location. Many EU/UK transfer checkpoints accept duty-free purchases if receipt date is within 48 hours of travel; other jurisdictions may apply different timeframes or refuse the item if the bag is older or the receipt absent.
Practical precautions for connecting itineraries
Photograph the receipt and the sealed bag at the point of sale, but retain the paper receipt because some checkpoints insist on the original copy.
Separate cabin-baggage routing: if a transfer involves re-screening through an unscreened zone or entry to a country with stricter controls (notably the United States and some non‑EU airports), expect tighter scrutiny; prepare to check the purchases at the transfer desk.
If multiple duty-free purchases are made, request individual STEBs per transaction when possible; security officers are less likely to accept a single bag containing several unrelated receipts.
If the STEB is opened, torn or missing the receipt, security staff may confiscate the merchandise during transfer screening; escalate only to a supervisor if the original point-of-sale staff remain available to verify the purchase.
Medical fluids, baby food and special exemptions – required documentation
Carry a physician’s letter and original prescriptions for all medication-related fluids. Letterhead should state diagnosis, medication names, dosages, route of administration, required in-flight frequency and the volume needed for the duration of travel plus a reasonable delay buffer (suggested 24 hours for long-haul). Pharmacy labels matching the medication bottles or syringes are required at screening.
Injectables and syringes: Insulin, epinephrine and other injectable therapies are accepted in quantities exceeding standard cabin restrictions when accompanied by a prescription or medical certificate. Pack syringes in original pharmacy packaging or a labelled prescription vial, and carry a sharps container in carry-on baggage. Notify the carrier medical department before departure if a portable infusion pump or medical gas cylinder is necessary; bring the manufacturer’s specification sheet and battery Wh rating for any powered device.
Respiratory support and oxygen: Portable oxygen concentrators require advance airline approval and a physician’s form specifying flow rate and duration. If a portable oxygen unit uses batteries above 100 Wh, formal airline authorization is mandatory; spares must be carried in the cabin and protected against short-circuit. For compressed-air or pressure-assisted devices, consult device manuals and resources such as how to increase psi on your air compressor for handling pressure concerns prior to travel.
Baby formula, breast milk and baby food: Formula, expressed milk and ready-made jars for infants are permitted in amounts necessary for the trip and are screened separately. Present the feedings in clearly labelled containers, keep a simple feeding schedule note (times/amounts) and carry proof of child’s age (e.g., copy of birth certificate or passport) when age could be questioned. Prepared/sterile water for formula should be plainly identified; extra servings intended for delays should be documented on a short note.
Advance notifications and forms: Obtain airline medical clearance at least 48–72 hours before departure for oxygen, CPAP with humidifier, infusion pumps or devices with large batteries. Save written approval and bring two printed copies of the physician’s letter and any airline medical form. For international connections, verify destination and transfer airport rules and keep receipts or pharmacy dispensing records for border control checks.
At security, present medication and baby feeds separately for inspection, declare the medical necessity if asked, and be prepared for additional testing or opening of containers. Maintain an accessible folder with physician’s letter, prescriptions, pharmacy labels, airline medical approval and child identity documents to speed screening and reduce the risk of item confiscation.
