Can I take sunscreen from the UK to the USA?
Yes — you can take sunscreen from the UK to the USA. 100ml limit in cabin, no size limit in checked.
Lotion, spray, stick and aerosol sunscreens all count as liquids or gels at security. Pack travel-size in cabin, full-size in checked. Aerosol cans face an additional 500ml-per-container limit.
Triple check before you pack
Airport security, airline baggage rules, and destination border rules are three different checks. Passing one does not guarantee passing the others.
Each cabin container must be 100ml or smaller and fit in your 1L liquids bag.
Container size is what security measures — a half-full 150ml bottle is still refused.
Larger bottles travel fine in checked luggage. Cap tightly, wrap, and keep upright.
Personal-use quantities of sunscreen are usually fine entering the USA.
Cabin — 100ml each, in the 1L bag
Sunscreen counts as a gel, liquid or aerosol. Travel-size containers up to 100ml fit in your 1L clear bag. Stick sunscreens are usually fine if solid at room temperature, but TSA and UK security may still treat them as gels — easier to pack with your liquids.
Checked — full bottles welcome, aerosols capped
Full-size sunscreen bottles and tubes travel fine in checked. Aerosol sunscreen is dangerous goods: 500ml per can, 2L total per passenger, cap fitted to prevent accidental discharge.
US customs — no declaration, no quantity issue
Sunscreen is a cosmetic for personal use. No US customs declaration needed for typical traveller amounts.
Common mistakes
- Bringing a 200ml bottle of sunscreen through cabin security — it will be binned.
- Packing an uncapped aerosol can in checked luggage and triggering an inspection.
- Assuming SPF stick sunscreen is exempt — many checkpoints still classify it as a gel.
Pre-flight checklist
- Cabin sunscreen containers ≤100ml
- All cabin liquids in the single 1L clear bag
- Full-size sunscreen in checked, sealed in a plastic bag
- Aerosol cans capped, ≤500ml each, ≤2L total
Official sources
Last reviewed May 26, 2026. Rules can change at short notice. Airport security staff and customs officers have final discretion at the checkpoint or border.
Frequently asked questions
Is aerosol sunscreen banned on planes?
No, but it's classed as dangerous goods. In checked: 500ml per can, 2L total, cap fitted. In cabin: 100ml like other aerosols.
Can I buy sunscreen airside and take it in cabin?
Yes. Airside sunscreen in a sealed STEB with receipt visible can travel in cabin. On US connections, keep the STEB sealed until after customs.
Packing checklist for this trip
A short checklist for this trip — pack what you need to stay within the rules above.
Get a return-flight reminder
We'll remind you before your return flight if your airport uses stricter liquid rules.
Related corridor guides
LiquidLimits.com is a travel planning tool, not an official airport or government source. Rules can change between trips and between terminals. Always check the official airport or aviation security guidance before you travel, and when in doubt pack to the stricter 100ml cabin-bag rule.