TSA Liquid Rules: The 3-1-1 Rule

“You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. 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.”

“1 quart size, clear, plastic, zip top bag (all liquids must fit in bag)
1 bag per passenger”

“If you are preparing for your flight, be aware that how and what you pack can impact the screening process. Be sure that you check for prohibited items and remember to follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule.”

“All liquids, aerosols and gels packed in carry-on bags must be 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less. Travelers must pack certain foods, such as sauces, jam, preserves and wine – which are considered liquids or gels – in checked bags if they exceed 3.4 ounces. If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, and it’s larger than 3.4 ounces, it should go in a checked bag.”

“Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.”

“Exemptions
Medications
Infant and child nourishments”

“Medication in liquid form over 3.4 ounces (100 mL) is allowed in carry-on bags in reasonable quantities for a flight. Passengers don’t need to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the officer you have medically necessary liquids at the start of the screening process. Medically required liquids are subject to additional screening that may include travelers being asked to open containers.”

“TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection. Any oversized medically-necessary liquids that alarm during screening, testing positive for certain chemicals, may not be allowed through the screening checkpoint. Some contact lens solutions contain chemicals that typically alarm and may not be permitted through the checkpoint. We recommend placing contact lens solutions over 3.4 ounces in your checked baggage.”

“Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies.”

“Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.”

“You may carry duty free liquids in secure, tamper–evident bags, more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml in your carry-on bag if:
The duty free liquids were purchased internationally and you are traveling to the United States with a connecting flight.
The liquids are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and do not show signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening.
The original receipt for the liquids is present and the purchase was made within 48 hours.
The items inside the secure, tamper-evident bags must be screened and cleared. Any item that alarms or is unable to be screened will not be permitted in your carry-on bag. We recommend packing all liquids, gels, and aerosols that are over 3.4 oz or 100 ml in your checked baggage, even if they are in a secure, tamper-evident bag.
Liquids more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml not in a secure, tamper-evident bag must be packed in checked baggage.”

“Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening.”

“Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns.”

“The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.”

“TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.”

“With TSA PreCheck leave in your bag electronics and 3-1-1 liquids and leave on belts, light jackets, and shoes.”

“If a TSA PreCheck® lane is not available, please show your TSA PreCheck® boarding pass and you may be able to keep 3-1-1 liquids and laptops in your bag, and shoes and light jackets on while accessing the standard screening lane. Eligible passengers should check with the TSA officer on duty.”