Michael Turner
Rule summary: Individual containers must not exceed 100 ml; all liquid-like cosmetics, including cosmetic lacquer, must fit into a single clear resealable bag with a total capacity of 1 litre; one such bag per passenger is allowed and must be presented separately at security screening.
Regulatory note: security screening treats cosmetic lacquer as a liquid/gel. Small retail bottles (typical sizes 5–15 ml) comply with the capacity limit. Containers larger than 100 ml are subject to checked baggage restrictions; aerosol removers and acetone-based solvents are classed as flammable and may be prohibited in checked or cabin baggage depending on the carrier and local authorities.
Packing recommendations: screw caps tightly, wrap each bottle in absorbent material, place inside the required transparent bag and keep the bag accessible for inspection. For purchases made after security (duty‑free), retain the tamper‑evident sealed bag and receipt – these permit carriage of larger volumes on the aircraft if transfer rules allow.
Final check: follow the operator’s dangerous‑goods guidance and the departure airport’s security pages before travel; when transfers are planned, confirm allowances at the transit airport since resealing and re‑screening rules vary. Keep documentation or manufacturer labels available for faster screening if requested.
Carry cosmetic polish in cabin with a budget carrier?
Pack cosmetic lacquer bottles of 100 ml or smaller inside a single transparent resealable 1‑litre plastic bag; one bag per passenger must be presented separately at security screening.
EU/UK security liquids rule applies: each container ≤100 ml, total volume must fit into a clear 1‑litre bag. Small sealed bottles of coloured lacquer qualify as liquids. Fully cured gel coatings on nails are treated as solids and not covered by the liquids restriction; uncured gel fluids are treated as liquids and must follow the 100 ml rule.
Acetone-based removers and solvent-heavy products are flammable and frequently refused in cabin access; stow these in checked baggage only if the carrier and departure/arrival airports permit flammable liquids in hold and quantity limits are respected. When in doubt, consult the carrier’s dangerous-goods guidance before packing.
| Item | Cabin allowance | Checked-bag allowance | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular cosmetic lacquer (liquid bottles) | Allowed if ≤100 ml and inside the 1‑litre clear bag | Allowed; wrap to prevent spills | Place upright, seal caps with tape, keep receipt for proof of purchase |
| Gel polish – uncured liquid | Treated as liquid: follow 100 ml / 1‑litre bag rule | Allowed; secure lid and cushion against impact | Transfer to travel-sized bottles if original containers exceed limits |
| Cured gel (already hardened on nails) | Not classed as liquid; no special liquid-bag requirement | Not applicable | Cover nails to avoid chipping during transit |
| Acetone or solvent removers | Usually prohibited in cabin due to flammability | May be allowed in limited quantities subject to carrier and airport rules | Check dangerous-goods pages; consider buying at destination |
| Aerosol sprays for nails | Allowed only if non-flammable, ≤100 ml and in the 1‑litre bag; many aerosols are restricted | Often restricted or limited; verify with carrier | Prefer pump or liquid formulations in small bottles |
Quick checklist before travel: verify bottle volumes, place bottles in a single clear 1‑litre resealable bag, present the bag separately at security, avoid carrying flammable solvents in cabin, confirm dangerous-goods rules with the specific carrier and departure airport to prevent confiscation.
Is cosmetic lacquer classed as a liquid or an aerosol for cabin carriage?
Short answer: cosmetic lacquer is treated as a liquid/gel for cabin security – bottles must be 100 ml (or smaller) and fit inside a single transparent resealable 1‑litre bag carried in the cabin.
If the product is supplied as a spray/aerosol it is also subject to the liquids rule (100 ml limit) and must be packed in the same 1‑litre bag. Pressurised cans with flammable propellants can be further restricted or prohibited from the cabin; larger pressurised containers should be placed in checked hold or left behind.
Packing recommendations: keep containers upright, cap tightly, double‑bag spilled items in a sealed plastic pouch, present the 1‑litre bag separately at security, and retain the original packaging or receipt when possible. Items exceeding 100 ml belong in checked baggage – for sturdy checked cases consider a best luggage bag with wheels to reduce risk of breakage.
Airport and airline variations exist; carriers and individual terminals may apply extra limits on aerosols or flammables, so consult the specific airline policy before travel. For handling or servicing pressurised equipment (refilling, depressurising) see technical guidance such as how to determine the right size air compressor to blow out sprinklers.
100 ml liquids rule for individual polish bottles
Keep each bottle at 100 ml or smaller and pack all bottles together inside one transparent resealable 1‑litre (about 20×20 cm) bag for cabin screening.
- Container size: the printed capacity on the bottle determines allowance; a 125 ml container with a small amount inside still counts as 125 ml and will be refused at security.
- Total allowance: any number of qualifying bottles is permitted provided they all fit within a single clear 1‑litre resealable bag.
- Packing tips: use travel bottles labeled with volume, tighten caps, add a small layer of tape over threads, then place upright inside the resealable bag to reduce leak risk.
- Decanting: transferring product into purpose-made 100 ml travel bottles is acceptable; label transfers to show contents and original volume if possible.
- Screening process: present the transparent bag separately during x‑ray screening to speed inspection and avoid delays.
- Oversize items: any bottle with a capacity above 100 ml must be placed in checked baggage or shipped separately; partial contents do not change the container’s declared size.
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Place polish bottles in a clear resealable plastic bag and keep that bag accessible for separate presentation at security screening.
Packaging tips
Tighten caps fully and secure with a strip of strong tape over the cap and neck to prevent accidental opening. For added leak protection, wrap the cap threads with a small sheet of cling film before screwing the cap on.
Store bottles upright inside a rigid small case (e.g., hard sunglasses case or small cosmetics box) or use a padded pouch to prevent glass breakage. Surround bottles with absorbent material (tissues or cotton pads) to contain any leaks.
When decanting into travel containers, use purpose-made leakproof travel bottles with screw caps and clear labels showing the original product name and ingredients where possible.
Security presentation
Remove the transparent bag from cabin baggage and place it in a separate tray on the X-ray belt for inspection. Keep the rigid protective case separate as well if requested.
Solvent-based removers and other flammable solutions should be stowed in checked baggage or omitted from cabin items; battery-powered curing lamps and power banks must follow battery carriage rules and be presented separately if asked by screeners.
Flammable cosmetic polishes: stow in the hold
Place flammable cosmetic polishes in hold baggage rather than cabin carriage.
- Hazard basis: common solvents (ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetone) have low flash points and meet Class 3 flammable‑liquid criteria; breakage or leakage in the cabin presents a fire and inhalation risk.
- Regulatory position: security and dangerous‑goods rules typically require flammable liquids to be carried in the hold or within strict quantity limits if permitted in the cabin; some carriers prohibit them from the cabin entirely.
- Packing method for hold: keep items upright in original, tightly closed bottles; double‑bag in robust resealable plastic; cushion with clothing and place in the centre of the checked bag away from sharp objects and electronics.
- SDS check: verify Safety Data Sheet for flash point, “flammable” label, and any UN/ADR classification; an entry showing “Class 3” or a flame pictogram signals hold stowage is advisable.
- If unsure: declare at check‑in or consult the carrier’s dangerous‑goods guidance before travel; airport security may seize products not accepted for cabin or hold carriage.
- Alternatives: use acetone‑free removers, purchase polishes at destination, or transport in original retail packaging with leak‑proof wrapping to reduce likelihood of refusal.
Duty-free cosmetic polish in a cabin bag: immediate recommendation
Carry duty-free cosmetic polish inside a sealed tamper-evident bag (STEB) with the receipt clearly visible; keep the seal intact until arrival at the final airside gate to maintain acceptance through security checks.
Transfer and security re-screening risks
Transfers involving security re-screening at an intermediate airport often void STEB protection; if re-screening happens, the product becomes subject to the departure airport’s liquid-screening rules and may be removed or confiscated if not compliant.
Transfers from non-Schengen/UK territories or between terminals requiring a new security pass are the most common scenarios where STEB validity is lost; check the planned transfer airport’s policy in advance.
Practical actions at purchase and before boarding
Request an official STEB and ensure the receipt shows date/time, purchase location and, if possible, flight number; photograph the receipt and barcode as backup. Keep the sealed item separate and visible in the cabin bag, avoid opening the seal, and present both bag and receipt at any secondary screening on request.
When the carrier’s dangerous-goods guidance is unclear, treat cosmetic polishes as potentially flammable: consult the airline’s website or move the product to checked baggage to prevent refusal at security or last-minute disruption.
How to reduce risk of spills and breakage of polish bottles in a carry-on
Store bottles upright inside a sealed, transparent resealable bag and cushion each item individually. Use a one-litre clear pouch that closes fully; place the pouch upright in the main compartment.
Wrap cap threads with a small square of cling film before screwing the lid back on, then secure the lid with a single wrap of medical or gaffer tape across the top and down the sides to prevent unscrewing during transit.
Decant into shatterproof travel vials when possible – 5–15 ml plastic or aluminium containers with screw caps work best. Leave a 10–15% air gap to allow for thermal expansion.
Use a rigid protective case (glasses case, hard-shell cosmetics box) and line individual bottles with bubble wrap, foam tubing or silicone sleeves. For extra protection, place the rigid case inside a soft layer of clothing.
Position the sealed pouch in the centre of the carry-on, surrounded by garments to act as padding; avoid outer pockets and top-loading placement that exposes bottles to pressure from other items.
Choose plastic or travel-formulated bottles instead of full-size glass containers to reduce breakage risk. If glass is unavoidable, double-bag the item and include an absorbent pad (paper towel) inside the pouch to contain any leaks.
After packing, test stability by gently shaking the closed bag: if rattling or cap movement is detected, rewrap or add more padding until the items remain immobile.
Label decanted containers clearly and pack damaged or cracked bottles at home to prevent spills during the journey.
