Regulations on liquids when flying.
Packing liquids might be the biggest hurdle when you’re traveling with carry-on luggage. There are a lot of questions like what liquids are allowed? How much can you bring? What items count as liquid? How can you bring your liquid medications? What about baby food? And so on. This post will be answering all the questions on packing liquids in a carry-on bag.
What is considered as a liquid? A liquid can be a traditional item like water or soda, any aerosols, gels and creams. Liquid or semi-liquid foods including soup, jam, honey, peanut butter and pickles. Cosmetics and toiletries including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and liquid lipstick or lip gloss. Sprays including shaving foam, hair spray, also toothpaste, gels including hair and shower gel, contact lens solution and other solutions. A good way to figure it out is to think about the item’s consistency, anything that’s spreadable or can be sprayed is considered a liquid. The next question would be: How much liquid is allowed in carry-on or hand luggage? There is a liquid rule that dictates how much liquid is allowed in your carry-on bags. Each liquid must be in a 3.4 oz. or less container. 3.4 oz. is equal to 100 ml, so each liquid you carry should be in 100 ml or less than 100 ml container. Note that if you have 50 ml of liquid in a 300 ml container, it will not be allowed, both container and liquid should be 100 ml or less. Also you should place all containers inside one clear resealable plastic bag-quart sized. Also make sure all items fit on the bag comfortably, so that it closes completely and this rule only applies to carry-on luggage. All the liquids, gels and aerosols that are over one hundred ml, should be packed in your checked luggage.
How to pack your liquids in a carry-on bag? As mentioned before, you should use a clear plastic bag-quart sized like a normal zip-lock bag. If you need a sturdier one, you can get yourself a TSA approved clear travel bag-quart sized with zipper which you can get on Amazon. Then you can get travel size bottles (check the size to make sure it’s 100 ml or less), or you can also purchase TSA friendly silicone leak proof bottles, which are easy to pour liquids into and it allows you to easily squeeze out that last drop of liquid or cream. It’s pretty much challenging to pack all your liquids in those little bags, especially if you have a lot of skincare and makeup stuff, so it’s all about prioritizing. Make a list, prioritize what you really need and what you can cut down. If you have a travel partner who uses not much liquid toiletries (a man perhaps), you can put a few extra things in their bag. About drinking water, what you can do is to carry your empty bottle and after the security checkpoint you can fill it up with water, instead of buying those overpriced water bottles.
Are there any exemptions? Yes, there are few exemptions. Certain items can exceed 100 ml and do not have to be packed in a clear bag. Items that are exempt from this rule include prescription and over-the-counter medications. You may carry your liquid medications even if it has more than 100 ml, you may be asked for a doctor’s letter for certain medications. Breast milk, baby formula, maybe juices are permitted in reasonable quantities. Water for making baby formula is allowed too. If you buy any kind of liquid at the airport, it may be carried as hand luggage as long as the item remains sealed. If the seal is broken or any items are removed, then it may be subject to liquid restrictions.