Spray Sunscreen in Checked Luggage?

[KrazeeK120]

I'm going to Las Vegas next week (feels weird going somewhere other than Disney!!) and I have a question. Can I pack spray-on sunscreen in my checked luggage?

I went to the TSA website and it says that the following cannot be taken:

Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities)

Uh, OK, so what's a "limited quantity"? Anyone have any tips?

 

[Jestocost]

I'm going to Las Vegas next week (feels weird going somewhere other than Disney!!) and I have a question. Can I pack spray-on sunscreen in my checked luggage?

I went to the TSA website and it says that the following cannot be taken:

Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities)

Uh, OK, so what's a "limited quantity"? Anyone have any tips?

Yes. Spray sunscreen--as well as thinks like hairspray or antiperspirant--would be considered a personal care product; basically that would include anything you would apply to your body. Aerosols that would NOT be permitted in checked luggage would include things like disinfectant and cleaning sprays.

Quantities allowed would be anything that you would reasonably be expected to use for yourself. So two or three cans of spray sunscreen for a long weekend--maybe more for a longer stay--would be OK. A suitcase entirely filled with spray sunscreen; probably not.

 

[jsilvers]

Uh, OK, so what's a "limited quantity"? Anyone have any tips?

The applicable federal regulation is 49 C.F.R. § 175.10(a)(1). Generally, it allows medicinal/toilet aerosols to be packed in checked baggage if they meet the following requirements:

• Non-radioactive.
• Have a cap or other means of preventing inadvertent release.
• Each container does not exceed 500 ml/17 fluid ounces.
• Total no more than 2 liters/68 fluid ounces.

See http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2013-title49-vol2/pdf/CFR-2013-title49-vol2-sec175-10.pdf.

 

[Unas]

The applicable federal regulation is 49 C.F.R. § 175.10(a)(1). Generally, it allows medicinal/toilet aerosols to be packed in checked baggage if they meet the following requirements:

• Non-radioactive.
• Have a cap or other means of preventing inadvertent release.
• Each container does not exceed 500 ml/17 fluid ounces.
• Total no more than 2 liters/68 fluid ounces.

See http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2013-title49-vol2/pdf/CFR-2013-title49-vol2-sec175-10.pdf.

Problem with that is it is a DOT reg . . . not anything from TSA. If a TSA screener decides to open your bag and remove your sunscreen because it is an aerosol, you are SOL. Of course that's a risk you face with anything you attempt to take on an airplane.

 

[jsilvers]

Problem with that is it is a DOT reg . . . not anything from TSA. If a TSA screener decides to open your bag and remove your sunscreen because it is an aerosol, you are SOL.

The standard set forth on the TSA website is the DOT's (technically, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's) standard: aerosols are permitted in checked baggage "for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities)."

Of course, it's possible that the TSA will misapply the DOT rule - as is the case for any rule - but there isn't a different TSA rule for aerosols in checked baggage.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I have taken 3 to 4 cans of spray sunscreen several times a year when going to sunny locations. Have never had a problem

 

[TammyC]

I have always taken a can or two in checked luggage with success, except..

major disaster when one leaked/exploded and seeped out of the gallon sized baggie it was packed in. I always quadruple bag them now

T

 

[NotUrsula]

As my dermatologist likes to say, I'm so pale that I'm almost transparent. For a week at the beach with the family, I routinely distribute around 20 large cans between 2 checked bags. (I put them in ziplocs that have paper towels inside as well, so if it does leak, the paper toweling soaks it up.) I've never had any issue with any of the cans going missing after TSA inspects.

Ladies who travel with young ice skaters, cheerleaders, etc. to competitions tend to take along nearly a case of Aquanet between them; that usually doesn't get touched, either.

 

[ConnieB]

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