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Bringing Liquids on the Plane – What are the rules?

It is really important to know the rules of what you can bring on the plane. In this article we cover how many liquid containers you can bring and which bags you can use when taking those liquids past security gates.  I have seen a lot of instances in the airport where people forget to take their liquids out or use plastic food containers to store them. 

The rules in most countries are pretty much the same but their wording can vary from place to place.

Liquid container size

In most countries you can bring liquid containers that are 100 ml (3.4 ounces) or less in your carry-on luggage.

Carrying liquids in your hand luggage

Please don’t have any liquid containers in your carry-on luggage  when passing through security gates. Make sure the liquids are in a separate transparent plastic bag which is then placed on a tray! After passing the security gates you can put liquids back into your suitcase.

Use a transparent plastic bag that is provided at the airport  for your liquids. You should be able to seal the bag after putting all of your liquids in, otherwise the security staff can confiscate or throw them out. Don’t throw the bag out after you have used it, you can use it multiple times for other flights.

You can only have 1 plastic bag per passenger

If you don’t like your typical “sandwich bags” that they give you at the airport, then you can also buy a better quality one on amazon which has a zip as a seal. Make sure the bag is:

  • Transparent 
  • Resealable (can be a zip)
  • Material Plastic 
  • Size no greater than 1 quart or 1 litre
  • Dimensions when flattened to be lesser than 20cm x 20cm.

If you are flying from a UK airport here is what they say on the government website:

1. Containers should be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm

2. Contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed

3. The bag must not be knotted or tied at the top

If you are flying from a US airport TSA website for US regulations mentions:

3-1-1 for carry-ons. Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container; must be in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. The bag limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring.