Everything you need to know about the TSA's 3-1-1 liquid carry-on rule - The Points Guy (2024)

FAQs

Everything you need to know about the TSA's 3-1-1 liquid carry-on rule - The Points Guy? ›

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container. 1 quart size, clear, plastic, zip top bag (all liquids must fit in bag) 1 bag per passenger.

Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.

These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.

Think the usuals, like shampoo, toothpaste, and aerosol or roll-on liquid deodorant (solid deodorant isn't regulated by the 3-1-1 rule). But here are some surprising items that the TSA prohibits in carry-on luggage.

How many 3-ounce bottles can I carry on? You must be able to fit all your 3-ounce bottles into a 1-quart bag, which is 6 x 9 inches. This usually equates to nine bottles. FYI, you can use a Ziploc or anything that's about that size, but the TSA doesn't officially approve or disapprove of any bags.

Chapstick, lipstick, and solid lip balms are not considered liquids by the TSA. They can be in your handbag, carry-on or hand luggage without being separated into your clear plastic liquids bag.

Again, no limitations are placed on stick deodorants. Other than that, travel-sized containers of liquid, gel and aerosol deodorants should be 100ml at most. These containers must be put in a clear plastic bag for easy inspection.

The 311 liquid rule applies to all liquid and semi-liquid items you pack in your carry-on luggage – including gels and thicker makeup liquids. Put small items in 3.4 ounce containers in a clear quart-sized bag. You can bring one of these bags in your carry-on. The 3 1 1 rule for makeup is the same.

Make sure you know exactly what is considered a liquid before you go as some may surprise you. Mascara is considered a liquid, as is anything deemed 'spreadable. ' Also keep in mind that sharp objects, like razors, might be subject to restrictions.

Can I pack a razor in my carry-on? ›

The kind that is completely disposable (handle and all), or the kind where you replace them with cartridges. These are permissible in carry-on luggage with the blade and replacement cartridges. Electric Razors: Electric razors are permitted in both checked and carry-on bags.

Stick deodorant is fine in any size. Well, almost any size… Powders and crystals are good to go as well. Spray, Gel, Liquid, Cream, Pastes, and Roll-On deodorants need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear quart-sized baggie.

Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

A 125 ml tube of toothpaste that has been half used up is not permitted, but a full 100 ml tube is. When you bring in a transparent tube of toothpaste that is labelled as 5 ounces, and show the TSA agents that it is obviously less than half full, they still will not let it in. This applies to just about all liquids.

If your liquids are stored in containers larger than 3.4 ounces, even if there's only 3.4 ounces left inside the bottle, you can't bring them through security. Completely empty bottles, such as your reusable water bottle, are allowed through the TSA checkpoint since (spoiler alert!)

Can You Bring Makeup Wipes on a Plane? Makeup wipes are allowed in your carry-on bag, and they don't count as a liquid product so you don't have to worry about the 3.4 ounce size limit.

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel or aerosol. Only the items mentioned above are permitted in your carry-on bags.

Vaseline is subject to the same rules that apply to liquids, gel items, and aerosols. This means your Vaseline container must comply with the TSA's 3–1–1 liquid rule, which allows travel size containers of up to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) stored in a single, clear, quart-sized bag.

TSA allows hand sanitizer in a passenger carry-on bag under the 3-1-1 liquids rule. These are limited to travel-size hand sanitizer containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. The FAA limits the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, in checked baggage.

The TSA 3-1-1 Liquids Rule applies to your liquid makeup such as lip gloss, liquid foundation, etc. and must fit in a quart-sized bag.

Do wet wipes count as liquid TSA? ›

Pre-moistened wipes are allowed in carry-on luggage. They do not need to be placed in your travel-size liquids bag.

Make-up in a solid or powder form is allowed in carry-on and checked bags with no quantity or size limitations. However, for carry-on luggage, make-up in a liquid, lotion, gel, paste or creamy form must be in containers that are 100ml (3.4 ounces) or less.

In carry-on bags, liquid products such as concealer, foundation, cream, or lotion will have to follow the TSA's 3-1-1 liquid rule. Put your product in 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller containers.

For instance, a popular quart-size bag on Amazon comes with a dimension of ‎ 7.7 x 5.9 x 2.8 inches. To calculate the volume of this bag, you just need to multiply all the numbers together. For this particular one, the volume would be 7.7 x 5.9 x 2.8 = 127.204 cubic inches.

As we mentioned, concealer and foundation count as liquid products — so do liquid highlighters and settings sprays. Because of this, they have to be 3.4 ounces or less to pack in your carry-on. For some context, anything that is a powder product, like a pressed or loose powder, wouldn't be considered a liquid.

A sandwich bag is relatively smaller than a quart-size bag, at least in the US. To be more specific, its dimensions are 6.5” x 5.5”. The most popular brand people use is Ziploc; a household name in most families. They're usually used to hold a sandwich or any small snacks for kids to take to school.