Hand Luggage Restrictions The dos and don'ts

There are Hand luggage restrictions on what items you can take in both your hand luggage and hold luggage when boarding a plane.

There are restrictions on what items you can take in your hand luggage and hold luggage when boarding a plane in the UK.

Check with your airline how many and what size bags you can take on the plane with you.

General Rules

Taking liquids through security

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

Frozen liquids

You cannot carry frozen liquids in your hand luggage.

If you do take liquids in your hand luggage

If you do take liquids in your hand luggage, at most airports:

• containers must hold no more than 100ml
• 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 knotted or tied at the top
• you’re limited to 1 plastic bag per person
• you must show the bag at the airport security point

Some airports may allow you to take containers of liquid up to 100ml through security in your hand luggage. Check with the airport before you travel.

Also check the rules at other airports you’ll be travelling through - for example on your return journey.

Exemptions

You can take liquid containers larger than 100ml through security at all UK airports if they:

• are for essential medical purposes
• are for special dietary requirements
• contain baby food or baby milk

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.

Liquid restrictions outside the UK

Countries outside the UK might have different rules on carrying liquids as a transit or transfer passenger. You should check these rules with the relevant airlines and airports before travelling.

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).

Lighters

You can only carry 1 lighter on board. You should put it inside a resealable plastic bag (like the ones used for liquids), which you must keep on you throughout the flight. You cannot:

• put it in your hold luggage
• put it in your hand luggage after screening

Vape devices and e-cigarettes should be packed in carry-on luggage only, with a maximum of 20 batteries. Refills and e-liquids must also be kept in hand luggage with a maximum bottle size of 100ml. You can take up to 20 batteries on board. These can be packed in your hand luggage but not in your checked baggage.

• Make sure your vape device is completely switched off, not just in sleep mode.
• Any spare batteries must be individually wrapped to prevent a short-circuit and packed in carry-on luggage only.
• E-Liquids can be stored in your hand luggage in clear plastic bags in bottles not exceeding 100ml.
• It is recommend that you empty your tanks and store them in a clear plastic bag in your hand luggage as the pressurisation in the cargo area may cause your tank to leak or crack.

Bringing food items - When entering the EU from the UK, you're not allowed to bring any food known as POAO – products of animal origin – and most fruit. The ban applies to both your cabin and hold baggage and extends to items such as cakes that contain fresh cream. Read more HERE - Bringing food and drink into Spain

Hand luggage restrictions

Food and powders

Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays.

Frozen items

You cannot usually carry frozen items in your hand luggage, for example liquid, food or ice packs. 

There are some exceptions -

• medicines, medical equipment and dietary requirements
• baby food and baby milk

Baby food or baby milk 

When travelling with a baby you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey. There is no legal limit to how much you can take however check with your airport before you travel.

You can carry breast milk in hand luggage even if you’re not travelling with a baby. You cannot carry frozen breast milk in hand luggage.

Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. Each container will need to be screened at the security point. Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids.

Personal items

Musical instruments

Contact your airline before you book if you want to travel with a large musical instrument. You may need to make special arrangements, such as buying an extra seat.

Musical instruments will be screened separately.

Mobility aids

Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are usually allowed in the cabin, but will need to be security screened first.

For battery-powered wheelchairs or mobility aids check with your airline first.

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Hand luggage restrictions

Other personal items 

	Allowed in hand luggage	Allowed in hold luggage
Corkscrew	No	Yes
Spoon	Yes	Yes
Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm)	No	Yes (check with your airline)
Small scissors (with blades no longer than 6cm)	Yes	Yes
Large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm)	No	Yes (check with your airline)
Round-ended/blunt scissors	Yes	Yes
Fixed-cartridge razor blades (disposable razor)	Yes	Yes
Nail clippers/nail file	Yes	Yes
Tweezers	Yes	Yes
Knitting needles	Yes	Yes
Sewing needle	Yes	Yes
Umbrella	Yes	Yes
Walking stick/cane, walking aid	Yes	Yes
Pushchair	Yes	Yes
Wheelchair	Yes	Yes
Safety matches	Yes	No
Non-safety matches	No	No
Fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics, including party poppers and toy caps	No	No
Cigarette lighter	No, but you can put a lighter in a plastic liquids bag and keep it on your person	No
Contact lens solution	Yes (up to 100ml)	Yes

 Electronic devices and electrical items

You can only take certain electronic devices and electrical items on flights to the UK.

	Allowed in hand luggage	Allowed in hold luggage
Mobile phone	Yes	Yes
Laptop	Yes	Yes
Tablet devices	Yes	Yes
MP3 player	Yes	Yes
Hairdryer or straighteners	Yes	Yes
Travel iron	Yes	Yes
Electric shaver	Yes	Yes
E-cigarettes	Yes	No

Some airlines might also have different restrictions. Check with your airline before you travel if you’re not sure about what you can take as hand luggage.

Cameras

You can usually take camera equipment in your hand and hold luggage.

There might be restrictions on specialist equipment, for example professional video cameras.

Make sure your devices are charged

Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.

Batteries for your device

Check the restrictions on certain types of batteries or contact your airline if you’re not sure what you can carry.

Gas-powered hair curlers

You can take hair curlers containing a gas cartridge in hand or hold luggage as long as the safety cover is fitted at all times. You must not take separate gas cartridges on board.

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Sports equipment

	Allowed in hand luggage	Allowed in hold luggage
Sports parachute	Yes	Yes
Heavy bats and sticks (including baseball, softball and cricket bats)	No	Yes
Tennis racquets	Yes	Yes
Snooker, pool or billiard cue	Yes	Yes
Golf clubs	No	Yes
Darts	No	Yes
Walking/hiking poles	No	Yes
Fishing rod	Yes	Yes
Catapult	No	Yes
Firearms (including replica firearms)	No	Check with your airline before you travel
Harpoon or spear gun	No	Check with your airline before you travel
Crossbow	No	Yes
Martial arts equipment (including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and nunchuks)	No	Yes
Diving equipment	Check with your airline before you travel	Check with your airline before you travel

Work tools

Chemicals and toxic substances