New rules for hand baggage
Effective November 6, 2006, new rules relating to the contents of hand baggage will apply to all air passengers. Liquids, gels and aerosols may only be carried in hand baggage in small quantities of a maximum of 100 ml per item and must be carried in a transparent plastic bag.
The new rules apply for liquids such as water and other soft drinks, but also extend to gels, pastes, lotions and the contents of aerosols. This includes toiletries such as toothpaste, shaving cream, hair gel, lip gloss and facial creams.
On this page:
- The rules for carrying liquids in your hand baggage are as follows
- Presentation of liquids separately from your hand baggage
- There are three exceptions for liquids that you are permitted to carry with you
- Tax-free items
- Extra information on flights to or from India, the UK and the USA
- Standard baggage allowance
The rules for carrying liquids in your hand baggage are as follows:
• The new rules apply for liquids such as water and other soft drinks, but also extend to gels, pastes, lotions and the contents of aerosols. This includes toiletries such as toothpaste, shaving cream, hair gel, lip gloss and facial creams.
• You are only permitted to carry liquids and gels in containers of no more than 100 ml in volume.
• These containers may only be carried in a resealable transparent plastic bag.
• Only one transparent plastic bag may be carried per passenger.
• The transparent plastic bag may not exceed 1 liter in volume and may be brought with you from home.
For information on the latest regulations in the USA, Canada, Malaysia and Hong Kong, you can view the following external websites:
- USA: US Transport Security Administration
- Canada: Canada Air Transport Security Authority
- Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur International Airport
- Hong Kong: Hong Kong International Airport
There are three exceptions for liquids that you are permitted to carry with you:
• Baby formula for use during the journey
• Medication for use during the journey
• Special dietary foods for use during the journey
Extra information on flights to or from India, the UK and the USA
• Passengers departing from India may only take one piece of hand baggage on board the aircraft, regardless of which class they are traveling in.
• As a result of new regulations, passengers departing from a British airport may only take one piece of hand baggage on board the aircraft, regardless of which class they are traveling in.
• With effect from May 1, 2007, the liquids in your hand baggage will be tested at all British airports. This will take place at hand baggage control. Please bear in mind that this new regulation could result in longer waiting times at hand baggage control.
• If you are traveling to the USA, you are requested not to lock your checked baggage as it may be checked for explosives.
Presentation of liquids separately from your hand baggage
When passing through security control, you will be required to present all liquids separately. You must ensure that the items carried in the transparent plastic bag fit easily into the bag and that the bag is sealed. Coats and large electrical appliances, such as laptops, must also be presented to hand baggage control separately.
Tax-free items
Other rules apply for taking items that you buy tax free at the airport with you on your flight:
• You are still permitted to make (tax-free) purchases at European airports after passing through passport control and on board flights operated by European airlines. Liquids and gels that you purchase after passing through passport control or on board the aircraft will be packed and sealed for you in the shop or on board the aircraft. The package seal will remain valid for one day. If you have to catch a connecting flight at another airport, you will not be permitted to break the seal until you have reached your final destination.
• Tax-free, liquid goods purchased at an airport outside of the European Union which have not been checked in will be confiscated at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, even if they are sealed.
• Passengers transferring in the USA or Canada are advised to place any liquids, gels or aerosols purchased tax-free in their checked baggage after clearing customs.
• Passengers transferring in Australia are not permitted to carry any liquids, gels or aerosols in their hand baggage that have been purchased outside of Australia.
Standard hand baggage and checked baggage allowance
For details on the general hand baggage allowance and the checked baggage allowance, please refer to the baggage allowance page.