TSA Rules for Toiletries

[Zandy595]

I know about the 3-1-1 thing, but I'm a little confused about full size aerosol hairsprays and mousse. I read one site that said they were allowing them in carry-ons now, but I couldn't find anything on the official TSA site.

I would appreciate any information anyone can provide for what you can and can't take in your carry-on. I haven't flown since before 2001.

 

[Carriemel]

The only Liquids, Gels or Aerosols (think things that don't keep their shape when taken out of their container) that can be carried in carry-ons must be under 3.4 ounces each. Each person traveling is allowed one baggie (quart size, zip lock type) and as many of the 3.4 ounce bottles as can comfortably fit in that bag and zip shut.

Full size toiletry articles are not (and have not been since August of 2006) permitted in carry on baggage. There are a few exceptions - those include medications and contact lens solution. Those do still need to be "declared" to the officer as you're going through security.

If you have any questions about exactly what Liquid, Gel or Aerosol is:

If you can:
Spray it
Splash it
Spread it
Smear it
Pour it
Drink it

it is a liquid and must be put in your zip lock type baggie.

I work for TSA.

 

[Zandy595]

The only Liquids, Gels or Aerosols (think things that don't keep their shape when taken out of their container) that can be carried in carry-ons must be under 3.4 ounces each. Each person traveling is allowed one baggie (quart size, zip lock type) and as many of the 3.4 ounce bottles as can comfortably fit in that bag and zip shut.

Full size toiletry articles are not (and have not been since August of 2006) permitted in carry on baggage. There are a few exceptions - those include medications and contact lens solution. Those do still need to be "declared" to the officer as you're going through security.

If you have any questions about exactly what Liquid, Gel or Aerosol is:

If you can:
Spray it
Splash it
Spread it
Smear it
Pour it
Drink it

it is a liquid and must be put in your zip lock type baggie.

I work for TSA.

Really, they let you carry on full size bottles of contact solutions? I can never find travel size bottles of saline and figured I'd have to pack it in my checked bag or buy it when I got there. That's good to know.

I'm not sure I want to pack my hairspray and mousse in my checked bag. I'm afraid it will explode. Might need to find a Walmart when I get to my destination.

 

[Tozzie]

I know about the 3-1-1 thing, but I'm a little confused about full size aerosol hairsprays and mousse. I read one site that said they were allowing them in carry-ons now, but I couldn't find anything on the official TSA site.

I would appreciate any information anyone can provide for what you can and can't take in your carry-on. I haven't flown since before 2001.

Since you understand the rules I will actually answer your question. The TSA has not changed the policy and you can't take any full sized toiletries in your carryon bag, The website you read is either optimistic or out of date

 

[Tozzie]

Really, they let you carry on full size bottles of contact solutions? I can never find travel size bottles of saline and figured I'd have to pack it in my checked bag or buy it when I got there. That's good to know.

I'm not sure I want to pack my hairspray and mousse in my checked bag. I'm afraid it will explode. Might need to find a Walmart when I get to my destination.

Contact solution is considered a medical need so you may take full sized, I don't it adds weight and I don't need a big bottle for trips so I just use the travel size.

For what it is worth I take hair spray all the time and put it in my checked luggage and it has never exploded. If you are worried just put it in a zip lock bag, if it leaks it won't get all over your clothes

 

[disneypofq05]

We just got back from Hawaii...by accident my mom put her hairspray in her carry-on suitcase while going to one of the islands. TSA took it and said she could check her bag or throw the hairspray away. She threw it away. She didn't have any trouble packing her hairspray. We flew from NY to HNL and back as well as four other islands and didn't have any trouble with it in her suitcase. We put all our things in plastic bags and then in a cosmetic bag. We've never had any trouble with anything.

 

[minnie mum]

I'm not sure I want to pack my hairspray and mousse in my checked bag. I'm afraid it will explode.

I've been travelling with aerosols in my packed luggage for 40 years and I haven't had one explode yet. Think of all the men all over the world who don't think twice about packing their shaving cream- how many of those have you heard about exploding?

But they do add needless bulk when packing- I've never had a problem finding travel size (or at least smaller size) containers of any toiletries.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I've been travelling with aerosols in my packed luggage for 40 years and I haven't had one explode yet. Think of all the men all over the world who don't think twice about packing their shaving cream- how many of those have you heard about exploding?

But they do add needless bulk when packing- I've never had a problem finding travel size (or at least smaller size) containers of any toiletries.

BFF once had a bottle explode in her luggage when she was coming to visit us - short hop, just half-way across North America, too. And, of course, she hadn't double bagged it or even bagged it because she'd never, ever had anything ever explode before in thirtysomething years of flying. It wasn't an aerosole can though, just a plastic bottle of lotion that exploded, although all the bottles around it were fine. (She'd even single bagged it in with all her other cosmetic/health goods type stuff, but the bag shredded when the bottle exploded.)

Still. After spending a few hours helping her clean up, I now double or triple bag everything. I've never had anything explode (I travel a few times on business every year) but just the thought of how long it took us to get that lotion out of her clothes and her shoes and her jewelry and her luggage still makes me shudder and become over zealous.

OTOH, I only carry travel sizes, carry the absolute minimum, and try to keep it all in my backpack instead of my checked luggage. I hate wasting that much weight and space - I want to save room to go shopping or for overpacking clothes!

ETA: I know it sounds a little weird, I say she didn't bag it, then I say she put it in a bag with other things. . .In my luggage every thing gets bagged and bagged and then put into a big bag with other things. . .

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

The only Liquids, Gels or Aerosols (think things that don't keep their shape when taken out of their container) that can be carried in carry-ons must be under 3.4 ounces each. Each person traveling is allowed one baggie (quart size, zip lock type) and as many of the 3.4 ounce bottles as can comfortably fit in that bag and zip shut.

Full size toiletry articles are not (and have not been since August of 2006) permitted in carry on baggage. There are a few exceptions - those include medications and contact lens solution. Those do still need to be "declared" to the officer as you're going through security.

If you have any questions about exactly what Liquid, Gel or Aerosol is:

If you can:
Spray it
Splash it
Spread it
Smear it
Pour it
Drink it

it is a liquid and must be put in your zip lock type baggie.

I work for TSA.

So let me quiz you. Mascara...needs to be in the quart bag? I hate not keeping all my makeup together. And I'm not checking it...if my checked luggage gets lost, I don't want to be without my makeup.

Deodorant. Quart bag? Stick, no? The "Clinical" stuff that oozes out the top, yes? Or both no or both yes??

I'm sure there was something else I was wondering about. I've been packing for my upcoming Fall trip. (Don't judge me! )

And we have an Owner's Locker in Orlando where we keep many full-sized items, and we got it down without explosions in our suitcases. But I had, on other trips long ago, had bottle leakage, so I just got into the habit of bagging everything. Plan to do this too...Saran Wrap under the caps.

 

[goofy4tink]

The only Liquids, Gels or Aerosols (think things that don't keep their shape when taken out of their container) that can be carried in carry-ons must be under 3.4 ounces each. Each person traveling is allowed one baggie (quart size, zip lock type) and as many of the 3.4 ounce bottles as can comfortably fit in that bag and zip shut.

Full size toiletry articles are not (and have not been since August of 2006) permitted in carry on baggage. There are a few exceptions - those include medications and contact lens solution. Those do still need to be "declared" to the officer as you're going through security.

If you have any questions about exactly what Liquid, Gel or Aerosol is:

If you can:
Spray it
Splash it
Spread it
Smear it
Pour it
Drink it

it is a liquid and must be put in your zip lock type baggie.

I work for TSA.

I have to tell you...I just love that. Thanks!!!

Really, they let you carry on full size bottles of contact solutions? I can never find travel size bottles of saline and figured I'd have to pack it in my checked bag or buy it when I got there. That's good to know.

I'm not sure I want to pack my hairspray and mousse in my checked bag. I'm afraid it will explode. Might need to find a Walmart when I get to my destination.

My dd has been able to go through security with her full sized bottle of solution every time. She keeps it out, by itself though...just in case.

When I take mousse or hairspray (or anything that is under pressure), I always wrap it in a facecloth, and put it in a ziploc baggie. I bag all my liquids and gels, just in case!!!!

 

[Carriemel]

My answers are in purple.

So let me quiz you. Mascara...needs to be in the quart bag? I hate not keeping all my makeup together. And I'm not checking it...if my checked luggage gets lost, I don't want to be without my makeup. Mascara is smearable AND spreadable. Yes, it does

Deodorant. Quart bag? Stick, no? The "Clinical" stuff that oozes out the top, yes? Or both no or both yes?? The stick, as long as it's solid and doesn't ooze up thru the top is fine. The stuff that comes up thru the top is both smearable and spreadable. Yes, it does

I'm sure there was something else I was wondering about. I've been packing for my upcoming Fall trip. (Don't judge me! )

And we have an Owner's Locker in Orlando where we keep many full-sized items, and we got it down without explosions in our suitcases. But I had, on other trips long ago, had bottle leakage, so I just got into the habit of bagging everything. Plan to do this too...Saran Wrap under the caps.

 

[AustinTink]

I never knew that about taking a full-size contact lens solution in the carry on. I will definitely be doing this. The travel size ones are such a rip-off!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

My answers are in purple.

Thanks! I guess that makes sense. I'm going to have to pack the mascara and Secret Clinical strength in DH's carryon.

 

[Carriemel]

Thanks! I guess that makes sense. I'm going to have to pack the mascara and Secret Clinical strength in DH's carryon.

Out of curiosity, why would you make him carry your stuff? You AND he both get one baggie...not one for each traveling party. You can put your mascara and secret in your own baggie. Course, that is assuming you haven't filled your own first...

 

[crashbb]

Out of curiosity, why would you make him carry your stuff? You AND he both get one baggie...not one for each traveling party. You can put your mascara and secret in your own baggie. Course, that is assuming you haven't filled your own first...

I was assuming that she had already filled hers.

Unless I'm flying with only carry on luggage, I put anything like that (that I could buy where I'm going) in my checked luggage - just makes my life easier.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Out of curiosity, why would you make him carry your stuff? You AND he both get one baggie...not one for each traveling party. You can put your mascara and secret in your own baggie. Course, that is assuming you haven't filled your own first...

Mine's full.

I had two not-so-wonderful (as in "awful") experiences where our checked luggage went on to our destination without us and we were stranded without stuff I really wish we had with us, so now I take necessities and conveniences I want in my carryon in case we run into the same situation.

Do travel hand wipes need to be in the quart bag?

 

[Zandy595]

I have to tell you...I just love that. Thanks!!!


My dd has been able to go through security with her full sized bottle of solution every time. She keeps it out, by itself though...just in case.

When I take mousse or hairspray (or anything that is under pressure), I always wrap it in a facecloth, and put it in a ziploc baggie. I bag all my liquids and gels, just in case!!!!

Good idea! I'm going to do that.

I never knew that about taking a full-size contact lens solution in the carry on. I will definitely be doing this. The travel size ones are such a rip-off!

When I go to my eye doc he always gives me a sample/travel size bottle of my disinfecting solution that I save for traveling.

 

[Carriemel]

Mine's full.

I had two not-so-wonderful (as in "awful") experiences where our checked luggage went on to our destination without us and we were stranded without stuff I really wish we had with us, so now I take necessities and conveniences I want in my carryon in case we run into the same situation.

Do travel hand wipes need to be in the quart bag?

Nope, they don't ...they're solid. Even though you can technically "spread" or "smear" them, the sheets are solid.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Nope, they don't ...they're solid. Even though you can technically "spread" or "smear" them, the sheets are solid.

Thanks. Years ago, a TSA agent had a hissy fit that they weren't in the quart bag, so either that changed or she was just overzealous back then.

 

[DizBelle]

BFF once had a bottle explode in her luggage when she was coming to visit us - short hop, just half-way across North America, too. And, of course, she hadn't double bagged it or even bagged it because she'd never, ever had anything ever explode before in thirtysomething years of flying. It wasn't an aerosole can though, just a plastic bottle of lotion that exploded, although all the bottles around it were fine. (She'd even single bagged it in with all her other cosmetic/health goods type stuff, but the bag shredded when the bottle exploded.)

Still. After spending a few hours helping her clean up, I now double or triple bag everything. I've never had anything explode (I travel a few times on business every year) but just the thought of how long it took us to get that lotion out of her clothes and her shoes and her jewelry and her luggage still makes me shudder and become over zealous.

OTOH, I only carry travel sizes, carry the absolute minimum, and try to keep it all in my backpack instead of my checked luggage. I hate wasting that much weight and space - I want to save room to go shopping or for overpacking clothes!

ETA: I know it sounds a little weird, I say she didn't bag it, then I say she put it in a bag with other things. . .In my luggage every thing gets bagged and bagged and then put into a big bag with other things. . .

I'm sure that by "exploded" you don't really mean that the pressure inside the bottle got so great and the seal did not release such that the bottle was reduced to pieces and lotion went everywhere. You probably mean that the seal gave way and some lotion got out.

A can of aerosol hairspray is very different from a soft plastic bottle of lotion. The soft plastic bottle will react differently to the changes in air pressure than the metal can of hairspray. Also, the "placement" of the product inside the bottle when it is subject to the pressure will affect what happens. If the bottle is "upside down" and the product is all near the opening, when the pressure increases, the opening will release and product will be forced out. If the product is at the bottom of the bottle and air is at the end near the opening, when the pressure changes and if the force is great enough to surpass the seal, mostly air will be forced out the opening. Of course, if the pressure is great enough, even some product will get out.

My rules of thumb: a metal can designed to contain pressure (like hairspray), I don't bag it. Plastic bottle - especially a soft one - I will bag it separately to contain any leaks. I've also been known to squeeze all the air I can out of soft bottles before packing them giving the expanding air somewhere to go before it breaches the seal. However, if the bottle is not airtight to begin with, it will just suck in air through the not-so-air-tight seal anyway.

Happy traveling!