Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports

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Liquids

There are restrictions on the amount of liquids you can take in your hand luggage. If possible, pack liquids in your hold baggage (luggage that you check in).

Liquids include:

  • all drinks, including water
  • liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups
  • cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss
  • sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
  • pastes, including toothpaste
  • gels, including hair and shower gel
  • contact lens solution
  • any other solutions and items of similar consistency

Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous - even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.

Frozen liquids

You cannot carry frozen liquids in your hand luggage.

Taking liquids in your hand luggage

The rules for carrying liquids in your hand luggage depend on the airport.

Before you travel, check the rules:

  • at the airport you’re flying from
  • at any other airports you’ll be travelling through, including your return journey

How much liquid you can take

At most airports, you cannot take liquids in containers larger than 100ml through security. This still applies if the container is only part full.

Some airports may allow you to take liquid in containers that hold up to 2 litres of liquid.

Check for exemptions if you’re taking baby milk or food, medicines, food for special dietary requirements or liquids bought in duty free.

Using a transparent bag for liquids

You may have to put liquid containers in a separate, transparent bag.

You do not have to do this at all airports.

If the airport asks you to put liquids in a separate bag:

  • containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm
  • contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed
  • the bag must not be tied at the top
  • you’re limited to one plastic bag per person
  • you must show the bag at the airport security point

Exemptions

You can take liquid containers up to 2 litres through security at all UK airports if they:

You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane (such as duty free) through security if:

  • the items are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them
  • the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible

You must not open the security bag until you reach your final destination. Airport staff may need to open the items to screen the liquid at the security point.

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