Airport liquid rules, explained simply
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What counts as a liquid at airport security
Gels, pastes, aerosols, spreads, food liquids, mascara, Nutella, snow globes — what airports treat as a liquid (and what they don't).
Can you take food through airport security?
Solid food is fine. Spreads, sauces, soft cheese, yoghurt and anything pourable count as liquids — 100ml rule applies.
Can I take deodorant on a plane? Stick, spray, roll-on and gel rules explained
Stick deodorant is usually fine in hand luggage. Roll-on, gel, cream and spray deodorants count as liquids and aerosols. Here's exactly what passes security.
Solid liquids & airport security grey areas
Why peanut butter, hummus, soft cheese, honey and even some deodorants are treated as liquids at airport security — and how to pack so you keep them.
What does 100ml actually look like?
100ml is about a small yogurt pot, less than a third of a Coke can, or 6½ tablespoons. Visual size comparisons, conversions and what fits the cabin liquids rule.
Flying with baby milk, formula and baby food: the full rules
Baby milk, formula, sterilised water and baby food are exempt from the 100ml rule worldwide. Here's exactly what to bring, how to declare it, and what to expect at security.
Flying with medication: liquid rules by country (2026)
Yes — prescription and essential over-the-counter liquid medicines are exempt from the 100ml rule in the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia when declared at security. Country-by-country rules for 2026.
All guides
36 guides
What counts as a liquid at airport security
Gels, pastes, aerosols, spreads, food liquids, mascara, Nutella, snow globes — what airports treat as a liquid (and what they don't).
Can you take food through airport security?
Solid food is fine. Spreads, sauces, soft cheese, yoghurt and anything pourable count as liquids — 100ml rule applies.
Can I take deodorant on a plane? Stick, spray, roll-on and gel rules explained
Stick deodorant is usually fine in hand luggage. Roll-on, gel, cream and spray deodorants count as liquids and aerosols. Here's exactly what passes security.
Solid liquids & airport security grey areas
Why peanut butter, hummus, soft cheese, honey and even some deodorants are treated as liquids at airport security — and how to pack so you keep them.
What does 100ml actually look like?
100ml is about a small yogurt pot, less than a third of a Coke can, or 6½ tablespoons. Visual size comparisons, conversions and what fits the cabin liquids rule.
Flying with baby milk, formula and baby food: the full rules
Baby milk, formula, sterilised water and baby food are exempt from the 100ml rule worldwide. Here's exactly what to bring, how to declare it, and what to expect at security.
Flying with medication: liquid rules by country (2026)
Yes — prescription and essential over-the-counter liquid medicines are exempt from the 100ml rule in the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia when declared at security. Country-by-country rules for 2026.
Portugal airport liquid rules in 2026
Complete 2026 guide to Portugal airport liquid rules: 100ml allowance, clear-bag requirements, and airport-by-airport notes for Lisbon, Porto, Madeira and Faro.
100ml vs 2L airport liquid rules, explained
Why some airports allow 2 litres of liquids in your hand luggage while most still enforce the old 100ml rule.
Why liquid rules can be different on your return flight
The airport you depart from sets the rule — not your airline. On a round trip, you face two different sets of rules.
Can you take duty-free liquids on a connecting flight?
Yes, usually — but only if your duty-free liquids stay sealed in the official security bag with the receipt visible. Connecting flights can still cause problems.
UK airports with 2L liquid rules
Which UK airports currently allow up to 2 litres of liquids in cabin baggage, and which are still on 100ml.
European airport liquid rules explained
How the EU 100ml rule works, which airports allow more, and what to expect at major hubs.
TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, explained
What the TSA 3-1-1 rule means in practice for US flights — bottle size, bag size, exemptions.
How to pack toiletries for cabin baggage
A practical packing routine for cabin toiletries that survives the 100ml rule and the security tray.
What to do if your return airport has stricter liquid rules
Outbound from a 2L airport, return from a 100ml airport? Here's how to avoid losing your duty-free on the way home.
Liquids you should never pack for a flight
Dangerous goods, hazardous chemicals, controlled substances and high-proof alcohol that are forbidden from both cabin and checked baggage.
Liquid Limits vs customs rules: what this site does and doesn't cover
Liquid Limits helps with airport security liquid rules. It is not a full customs, immigration, or legal advice service.
Does peanut butter count as a liquid at airport security?
Why TSA, UK and EU airport security all treat peanut butter as a liquid — and how to bring it without losing it at the tray.
Can airport security confiscate mascara?
Mascara is a liquid at security. Here's when it gets confiscated, when it doesn't, and how to pack it so you keep it.
Why was my ice pack taken at airport security?
Ice packs count as liquids at most airports — even when fully frozen. Here are the exceptions for medical and baby use, and how to pack them.
Can I take hummus on a plane? The spreadable food rule explained
Hummus is treated as a liquid at airport security worldwide. Here's how to pack it for cabin and checked bags.
Can I take a snow globe on a plane?
Snow globes contain liquid, so cabin rules are surprisingly strict. Here's what flies and what doesn't.
Can I take candles on a plane? Wax, gel and scented rules
Solid wax candles fly fine. Gel candles are treated as liquids. Here's the full breakdown.
Can I take breast milk on a plane? The full parent's guide
Breast milk, formula and baby food are exempt from the 100ml rule worldwide. Here's exactly how to take it through security.
Can I take jam or marmalade on a plane? Is jam a liquid?
Is jam a liquid at airport security? Yes — jam, jelly and marmalade are spreadable, so the 100ml hand luggage rule applies. Full-size jars go in checked baggage.
Can I take wet wipes on a plane? Baby, antibacterial and makeup wipes
Wet wipes do not count as liquids at airport security. Here's why and what to watch for.
Can you take slime on a plane?
Slime is usually treated like a liquid or gel at airport security. Keep it under 100ml in hand luggage or pack larger tubs in checked baggage.
Can I take a vape on a plane internationally? Country-by-country rules
Vapes and e-cigarettes must go in your cabin bag — never checked. But some countries ban them outright.
Can I take protein powder on a plane internationally?
Protein powder isn't a liquid — but large quantities trigger extra screening and customs questions abroad.
Can I take olive oil on a plane internationally?
Olive oil is a liquid. Here's how to bring back that gorgeous Italian bottle without losing it at security.
Can I take honey on a plane internationally?
Honey is a liquid for security and a controlled item at many borders. Here's the full guide.
Can I take soft cheese on a plane internationally?
Brie, camembert, ricotta and cream cheese all count as liquids at security. Hard cheese is fine.
Can I take Botox or injectable medication on a plane?
Injectables, vials and syringes are exempt from the 100ml rule with proper documentation. Here's how to fly with them.
Can I take Ozempic on a plane? Storage, screening and travel rules
Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are exempt from the 100ml rule. Here's how to keep them cool and pass security smoothly.
Can I take ashes on a plane? Flying with cremated remains
Cremated remains are allowed on flights worldwide, but the container has to be X-ray transparent. Here's exactly what's needed.
Browse by topic
Every guide grouped by what people actually pack.
Start here
The core rules every passenger should know before packing a cabin bag.
- 100ml vs 2L airport liquid rules, explained
- Why liquid rules can be different on your return flight
- What counts as a liquid at airport security
- TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, explained
- Liquid Limits vs customs rules: what this site does and doesn't cover
- Solid liquids & airport security grey areas
- Why was my ice pack taken at airport security?
- Can I take a snow globe on a plane?
- Can I take candles on a plane? Wax, gel and scented rules
- Can you take slime on a plane?
- What does 100ml actually look like?
Toiletries & beauty
Deodorant, sunscreen, perfume, makeup and the rest of your wash bag.
Food & drink
Spreads, soft cheese, honey, protein powder, duty-free alcohol and other edible liquids.
- Can you take food through airport security?
- Does peanut butter count as a liquid at airport security?
- Can I take hummus on a plane? The spreadable food rule explained
- Can I take jam or marmalade on a plane? Is jam a liquid?
- Can I take protein powder on a plane internationally?
- Can I take olive oil on a plane internationally?
- Can I take honey on a plane internationally?
- Can I take soft cheese on a plane internationally?
Medical & restricted
Prescriptions, CBD, vape liquids and items that need special handling.
- Liquids you should never pack for a flight
- Can I take breast milk on a plane? The full parent's guide
- Can I take a vape on a plane internationally? Country-by-country rules
- Can I take Botox or injectable medication on a plane?
- Can I take Ozempic on a plane? Storage, screening and travel rules
- Can I take ashes on a plane? Flying with cremated remains
- Flying with baby milk, formula and baby food: the full rules
- Flying with medication: liquid rules by country (2026)
Airports & international travel
Country and airport-specific rules, return flights and connecting travel.
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